Mental health is just as important as physical health, but sometimes we allow stress, anxiety, and depression to go unchecked. To ensure you are making holistic self-care a priority, you need to set aside time to focus on your overall well-being, and this can start with eating right and prioritizing physical activity. Courtesy of Northeast Psychological Wellness, here are 6 tips for doing just that.
Exercise To Improve Well-Being
The mental health benefits of exercise are well-established. Getting your body moving releases chemicals in your brain that can increase your sense of well-being, make you feel energized, and even create a more positive outlook. Regular exercise can also help you get into better physical shape, which can give you more energy and drive, as well as clarity and focus. Aerobic exercise can also help reduce the potential for some types of medical conditions, like heart disease. Exercise doesn’t have to happen in a gym. You can dance, hike, ride a bike, or set up a workout room in your own home.
Integrate Healthy Eating Habits
Many people have complicated relationships with food, including a dependence on caffeine, alcohol, and fried, salty and sweet snacks. Poor eating habits can take a toll on mental health, especially if you’re continually struggling with what and how much to eat, or if you feel you’re at an unhealthy weight. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lifelong good eating habits can be established by focusing on fresh whole foods with a limit on high fat, high sugar-laden products. Healthy eating programs like Weight Watchers can allow you to enjoy a wide variety of foods while staying within a healthy framework.
Seek a New Setting
Believe it or not, our setting can have a huge impact on our mental health. If your current residence is too small, too loud, or too far from work, a move – and a fresh start – might be just what you need. Luckily, there are plenty of properties to choose from.
Learn To Pass
It’s not just passing on poor food choices that impacts your mental health – it’s also okay to say no to many requests for your time. According to the Science of People, humans often feel obligated to say yes to volunteer work, social outings, and family events, even when they don’t have the time or interest. This can lead to resentment, anxiety, and even depression.
Don’t jump to agree to every request; instead, give some thought to your schedule, including your need for personal restorative time, and make decisions accordingly. You don’t need to explain or justify your rationale; “No” is a complete sentence.
Go To Bed
Where do most of us cut scheduling corners? We cut into our sleep. Sometimes we do it by staying up late or getting up early to finish a project, and sometimes thinking about our to-do lists keeps us from getting a good night’s rest. Don’t shortchange yourself on sleep. You need it for your mental and physical health and well-being. Sleep in a dark cool room, going to bed and getting up at about the same time every day. Avoid screen before slumber, and if you have a problem with ambient sounds, use a fan or white noise machine to help you drift off.
Manage Your Stress
Get on top of stressors before they have a negative impact. In addition to exercising, eating right, and managing your schedule, make time specifically for you, where you can recharge. This might mean taking a flow yoga class, listening to guided meditation, or just sitting with a cup of tea and reading your favorite author. If finances are a cause of stress, create a budget and cut costs where you can. If you have equity in your home, consider a cash-out refinance. This can lower your interest rate and monthly mortgage payment, as well as give you some cash to pay down high-interest debt.
Mental health is just as important as physical health, though we often feel selfish taking proactive steps to mitigate it. Don’t allow outside influences to interrupt vital self-care activities. Remember, the healthier and better focused you are, the more productive and present you’ll be for those around you.
Northeast Psychological Wellness aims to help you identify ways to better improve your mental health. Please call our office 646-450-3064 to discuss our services and schedule an appointment to meet with one of our therapists.