The term “mind-body connection” gets tossed around a lot, and there’s a reason for that. You need mental wellness as much as you need physical health. The reason being is that so much of your life is impacted by the way you feel. If you are stressed out mentally, your body will react to that stress in different ways, most of which are negative. Chronic stress is actually responsible for many health problems including inflammation, weight gain, heart issues and high blood pressure.
A lack of mental wellness not only impacts your body, it impacts your relationships at home and at work. Being mentally healthy doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the time. It just means that you are aware of your emotions and know how to interpret them in ways that will do the least harm to yourself and those around you. Knowing when to let go of anger, stress and frustration is also important. You don’t want those feelings turning into aggression and resentment. You want to be able to address them, acknowledge them and then let go. Once you learn how to do this, your mind and body will be better for it.
As much as you want to avoid stress, admittedly sometimes it’s just hard to do. However, you can take precautions that will help you minimize some of that negative energy before it manifests in your body. Here are some quick tips that will help you easily de-stress and set you up for happier, healthier mental wellness:
- Practice being thankful. Although you might be confronted with a frustrating situation, it always helps to look on the bright side of things. Each day, recite a few things you are grateful for. This will help shift your focus from the negative to the positive – eventually, you will just start doing this automatically.
- Write in a journal. Sometimes you don’t truly know how you are feeling until you write it down. Don’t try to correct yourself or analyze your writing; just let a stream of consciousness flow. The goal here is to transfer your feelings down on paper to declutter and de-stress your mind.
- Exercise a few times a week. This one might seem obvious, but let’s not overlook its benefits. Exercise helps release endorphins, which instantly boost your mood. Plus, it’s good for your overall health and wellbeing.
- Eat right. Yes, it’s true that certain foods will bring you down. Opt for whole vegetables, fruits with energizing vitamin C, and protein with brain boosting omega-3s.
- Fix your sleeping schedule. Your body needs time to rejuvenate. If your work environment is especially tense, sleep is key to managing your emotions and getting your mind back on track.
- Try meditation. It’s never too late to try something new. Meditation helps us “check out” while also allowing us to tune into the moment. It’s a great way to leave stress behind and focus on the present.
- Practice self-care. Sometimes you might feel so exhausted you may skip a meal or forget to shower. Don’t. Remember that you can’t solve any problems if you don’t take care of yourself first.
- Choose your inner circle wisely. We tend to adopt certain behaviors from our closest friends. Surround yourself with positive energy, and before you know it your outlook will change as well.
- Change things up. Monotony can sometimes take a toll on our creativity and stifle our desire to explore and experience change. Try doing something different today, or plan a trip in the near future to break things up.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs. Besides being bad for your overall health, alcohol and drugs take a toll on you mentally. They blur your focus and can bring up negative emotions. Choose mental clarity instead.
- Set realistic goals. Know yourself and your limits. Whether it comes to friends, family or work, take a moment to figure out what you’re willing to do or not do and stick to it.
- Love yourself. This has a lot to do with self-care, but it’s more about being happy with who you are and loving the skin you’re in. If you treat others with love and kindness, why wouldn’t you do the same for yourself?
- Get off the grid. You may be hesitant to disconnect yourself from the world, but sometimes turning off your cell phone or computer and getting back to nature is the best thing you can do for your mental health.
- Practice forgiveness. Don’t let disappointment escalate into anger. If you feel rage on the rise, take a step back and assess the situation. Figure out ways to remedy it and move forward.
- Smile. Even if you don’t feel like, smiling can instantly make you feel better by calming you down. Also, it’s contagious. Don’t be surprised if other people start catching on too!
If you want to learn more mental wellness tips or how to minimize anxiety or stress in general, contact your nearest health provider today for information on health and well-being classes in your area.