Times have been tough for all of us; yes, we are going through a lot lately. We all are fighting our own battles during this pandemic. Joblessness, death and devastation, and remaining locked up in our homes for the past one and a half years have caused enough damage.
But, can we let this sadness permeate slowly to get the better of our mental well-being?
No, we just cannot sit and sulk for all that is going on around us. We must take care of our mental, as well as, physical health, to keep depression and other serious psychological issues at bay. After all, we also need to care for our families.
Understand that keeping our body, soul, and mind nourished is not a selfish thing to do. Instead, it helps us stay positive and inspire others in these testing times.
Here are 9 ways to take care of your body and mind right now.
Practice healthy eating
Your immune system and the whole body is dependent on the nourishment you are supplying. Yes, mindless eating can be fascinating, especially when you have junk food at your disposal. And maybe you are doing it unintentionally nowadays. But, the harm that it is causing to your body is limitless.
Try out intuitive eating. It is not a strict diet; rather, it helps you pay attention to your body when it tries to communicate with you. Eating only when you are hungry, and understanding what your body needs- whether an elaborate meal or a snack is what intuitive eating is all about. Try to arrange a healthy diet consisting of balanced amounts of proteins, vitamins, minerals, healthy carbohydrates, and fats. Click here to know more.
Get enough sleep
Staying at home can be stressful because you have to handle kids, handle your work, household chores, all at once. There is no time for a breather. The stress and anxiety are forcing you to double up your caffeine intake. Take a moment, ask yourself what you are doing, and you’ll know at once that you are pushing yourself into oblivion.
Excessive amounts of caffeine are not good for health. It affects your sleep, gastrointestinal system, nervous system, and even heart. It can trigger your anxiety and make you restless, and you don’t need these to make your life any more distressful than it already is. So, either switch to decaf or cut down your caffeine intake. Go to bed early and make sure that you are getting at least 8 to 9 hours of solid sleep. Sleep will keep your body, mind, and soul fresh and invigorate your senses.
Sweat it out
When anxiety is too much to handle, do not pop in pills. Instead, try to naturally heal your problem by exercising at home. Exercise keeps you mentally and physically fit. When you work out, the body pushes your adrenaline only to pump your endorphins, also called “the feel-good hormone”. Try it out and see the results for yourself.
Meditation and yoga
Take out some time from your busy schedule and calm your senses by meditating. Meditation increases your power of concentration, regulates your breathing pattern, and keeps your body and soul happy. Yoga helps you to optimize the hormonal balance in the body. The different yogic postures keep your body flexible and your mind healthy. You can also escape the woes of a sedentary lifestyle with the help of regular yoga sessions and maintain the sanctity of mind with meditation. These two ways can help you keep your “Chakras” or the various energy points in the body, open and aligned.
Take some time to connect with nature
Nature is the best healer! Each one of us should spend some alone time with nature, get inspired, and appreciate its charms. Doctors say that greenery is good for our eyes; it provides a feeling of transcendental peace, which is necessary for our emotional well-being. The tranquility of nature induces our body to produce chemicals such as terpenes that activate our parasympathetic nervous system which, in turn, helps our body to relax.
Do anything that keeps you happy
Play family games that will keep all of you occupied and this is the best time to bond with everyone in your family, not everything is as bad; you see! It is the best time to reconnect with yourself and indulge in some soul searching. Listen to music, read a novel, unleash your creativity, paint something interesting, and so on. The bottom line is; do whatever pleases you. But, minimize screen time as much as possible.
Practice mindful listening
Absorb all the positivity that is around you and let go of all the negativity of the past. Listen to the natural sounds around you, such as birds chirping, leaves rustling in the wind. Soak in the mellowness of simple everyday things like the humming of the ceiling fan, the whistling of the kettle, and so on. These sounds will induce a sense of quietude around you. Try to blend in with the ambiance because it is peaceful.
Take a day off to pamper yourself
Give your body what it needs, some loving! Apply a homemade facial mask, hair mask, body polishing serum, groom yourself… do something that makes you feel good about yourself. Hygiene is crucial when it comes to being mentally healthy. A hygienic body has the capability of pushing your spirits high up. Impress yourself, love yourself, and worship your body which is no less than a temple.
Organize your home
Keep everything in order, and clean because a pesky part can impart negativity. A clutter-free home leads to a clutter-free life. Have you ever noticed how untidiness and unorganized homes make you upset? According to a Mayo Clinic study, untidiness can amplify stress and anxiety. They have found that the level of cortisol (stress hormone) goes up in people who say their homes are untidy and unorganized. Unclean spaces can also affect your body by hampering your sleep. So, try to keep things organized and your house clean because your house is your wellness retreat.
