If you want to take care of your mental and emotional health, you must first begin with your physical wellbeing. Though it may sound a little new age-y to say, your body and your mind are connected, and there’s a direct correlation between improving your physical health, and consequent greater mental and emotional wellbeing. You may exercise to strengthen your lung and heart wellness, for example, but the endorphins that exercise releases give you greater energy and a better mood. As you get older, mental health is just as important as strengthening bones, increasing circulation and lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, so you’re never too old to start. So, what can you do to take care of your overall wellbeing?
1. Get plenty of rest. Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep, be it for your physical health or your emotional wellness. In order to function to your absolute best, you need to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night.
2. Eat right. This doesn’t mean just grabbing an apple now and again, you need to learn about good nutrition before you can practice it. Nutrition isn’t a complicated subject to learn about, but the hard part is actually implementing what you know into your daily life. However, the more you know about what you eat and how it affects your energy and mood, the more likely you are to start eating in a way that makes you feel better all over.
3. Exercise. As we’ve already mentioned, exercise is a powerful antidote to stress, anxiety, and depression. However, if you’re starting from scratch, you shouldn’t suddenly run a marathon or bench press your gran. Add activity to your day in small ways, such as walking to work or taking the stairs. Then, gradually build up to 30 minutes or more of exercise per day to get the most mental health benefits. Remember, you should always consult your doctor before starting any exercise regime.
4. Get some sunshine. There’s a reason why you love the summer; sunlight lifts your mood and boosts your vitamin D production. Whether you get out in the garden, do some outdoor exercise, or socialise in the sun, try to get at least 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight per day.
Comments are closed.