Sunday, June 2, 2019

6 Self-Care Practices to Better Your Mental Health and Well-Being


Little switches can make major life changes!

We've all had those good natured moments when we resolve to make huge way of life changes: Quit smoking. Shed 20 pounds. Join a gym and begin working out each day.

The street to better wellbeing doesn't generally need to mean making gigantic jumps.

There are numerous little advances you can take that will help improve your general wellbeing and personal satisfaction, they'll be anything but difficult to keep up for the long run. Regardless of whether you have just a couple of minutes to save, you can utilize that opportunity to improve your prosperity.
Take a stab at incorporating the following into your life. Guest writer, Brad Krause put together this list to help you.
-Jessica


6 Self-Care Practices to Better Your Mental Health and Well-Being


Too many of us push ourselves to the brink as we struggle to balance work, life, and other commitments. The busier life gets, the more difficult it is to find time for ourselves, and this not only has a negative impact on our physical health, but our mental health suffers as well. If you’re tired of being exhausted and want to raise your quality of life (and productivity), self-care is a must. So, here are six self-care practices that will benefit your mental health and better equip you to tackle whatever life throws your way.


Practice Basic Hygiene


Daily hygiene is the most basic way to prevent illnesses and improve our overall health. When life gets super busy and commitments are vying for our attention, it’s easy to neglect personal grooming and other healthy habits. Be sure to regularly wash your body and hair, trim your fingernails and toenails, wash your hands, and brush your teeth.


Caring for your oral health is particularly important when it comes to mental health. If you let your teeth and gums become unhealthy, it can contribute to depression, stress, and anxiety. Brushing, flossing, and going to the dentist are essential for your oral health. If you need to find a new dentist in your area, take advantage of online resources that can simplify your search.


Try Physical Therapy


Acupuncture and chiropractic care help many people with pain and joint issues, which can benefit mental health. While these are great options, they usually are not covered by insurance. And if you have Medicare, no holistic therapies like acupuncture will be covered. However, Medicare does cover physical therapy, which can alleviate some of the same pain and joint issues and, by extension, foster mental health.


Cut Down on Sugar


Excess sugar is bad for your health. It reduces your energy and increases the risk of diabetes, obesity, cancer, and other serious diseases, which means it also has a negative impact on mental health. If you’re wanting to make dietary changes to improve your well-being, start by cutting down on refined sugar and relying on fruits and vegetables for their natural sugar. As your body feels better, so will your mind.


Move More


Following a fitness routine is also essential for your mental health and overall well-being. When you break a good sweat, endorphins and other feel-good chemicals are released in your brain. This not only provides a rewarding sensation in the moment, but it can also boost your confidence, give you more energy, and motivate you to improve other areas of your life. Run, walk, swim, lift weights. Just find fun ways to move and do it four or five times a week.


Sleep Better


Those who struggle with sleep deprivation not only hinder their productivity and happiness, but they also put themselves and others at risk each day. We must have quality sleep to function at full capacity, or else our minds and bodies will suffer. Do whatever it takes to get your rest — whether it’s creating a bedtime routine, drinking less caffeine, seeking treatment, purchasing new bedding, or any other safe methods of improving your sleep.


Get Relaxed


Finally, relax. Every person needs an outlet for stepping away from daily obligations and de-stressing. Join a knitting club, take a painting class, go hiking with your kids, or carve out a Friday spa day. Think of something fun you would do on vacation to relax, and do it each week.


We all need help when it comes to balancing life commitments and improving our mental health and well-being. Remember not to neglect your personal hygiene, and give physical therapy a shot for relieving pain. Reduce the amount of refined sugar in your diet, and exercise regularly. Lastly, be sure to get quality sleep and find ways to relax. If you follow habits like these, your mental health — and life — will likely see significant improvements.

Written by: Brad Krause

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