There are literally countless things to think about when it comes to being healthy – what you eat, how much you exercise, and so on. But there are also some easy things you can do to help keep your body and mind healthy.
This is particularly important as the two are often interlinked. Looking after your body will have positive repercussions for your mental health and vice versa. That’s why this incisive article has put together some keen ideas for how to look after your body and mind. Here are a few suggestions.
1. Drink plenty of water
You should drink six to eight glasses of water daily. You should make sure to avoid carbonated beverages as they can cause gas and bloating.
Water is good for your organs and helps keep your skin healthy and full of life, too! Try buying a water bottle with reminders printed on the side about how much to drink each hour. This way, you will be able to track your intake and make sure you are hitting your daily target.
2. Drink tea or coffee – but in moderation
Drinking tea and coffee is a wonderful part of many people’s days, but remember, these drinks contain caffeine and lots of it – and that’s really where the downsides come from.
If you’re not already used to drinking tea or coffee, then don’t start downing them like there’s no tomorrow because you’ll soon become dependent on them (and may end up with high blood pressure). Many studies show that caffeine can cause problems with sleep as well as anxiety.
If you enjoy a cup or two in the morning, then stick to that amount. It’s usually not harmful to adults and it gives you a nice energy boost. Coffee can also prove to be a great way to boost your intake of antioxidants!
3. Get good, restful sleep
When you don’t get enough sleep, you can end up feeling grumpy and tired. You may also crave sugary foods because your blood sugar level has dropped.
Getting quality sleep is important for your brain function, too. If you’re not sleeping well at night (which could be due to stress or anxiety), try exercising during the day instead. Exercise helps quiet down most of our systems – including our brains!
If exercise isn’t helping to clear your mind before bedtime, try practicing some relaxation exercises like yoga or meditation before bedtime. There are lots of other things that people do to help them relax and fall into a deep sleep at night – look around online to find what suits you best!
4. Exercise is very important
Exercise is one of those things that a lot of people know they should be doing every day – but many just don’t know where to start. Thankfully, there are countless ways that you can incorporate exercise into your daily life – it doesn’t need to be complicated!
For example: take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk, or bike whenever possible. Don’t think about going to the gym – just start taking care of your body by taking 1,000 steps a day and working your way up from there.
There are also many online fitness games that you can play to keep yourself moving and feeling good. The important thing is just getting out there and doing something!
5. Find a hobby that you love
Having a hobby is another way to take care of your body and mind. You don’t need any particular skills for this – just do something that makes you happy.
It could be anything. You could find a new sport or start playing poker online at real money pokies sites like australiainternetpokies.com. What matters is that you are doing something you enjoy, whether it’s reconnecting with an old passion or finding a brand new one.
6. Make sure to look after your mental health too
Not everyone has the same emotional needs. Some people feel better talking things through with someone, while others find it easier to write about their emotions in a journal. Whatever works best for you personally, make sure you give yourself space to do it!
You probably know what triggers certain feelings within you – so plan ahead if there are certain situations that tend to cause you anxiety or sadness.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help – either from a friend or someone else you trust. No one should ever feel like they’re alone in this world, and there’s always help available if you want it!
Ask your doctor about mental health problems and treatments during your next checkup. Remember that people with headaches are not just making up their symptoms – sometimes pain is a sign of depression or another mental health problem.
7. Eat a healthy, balanced diet
This one should be pretty obvious – if you eat unhealthy food, then that’s what your body will think it should be receiving all the time, so that’s what it will crave when you try to stop eating junk food.
Instead of reaching for sugary snacks or fatty treats, turn instead to fruits and vegetables which are packed with nutrients, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, water… everything your body needs!
You know the drill – eat lots of veggies and fruit, cut back on junk food, don’t drink too much alcohol. There are always other things to take into account, like portion size and how active you are, too.
When you’re trying to lose weight (or maintain your current weight), remember that exercise is just as important as what you put into your body! Tracking your meals can also help because then you’ll be able to see exactly what kinds of foods you should avoid.
Carry around healthy snacks so that you control your blood sugar level instead of letting it spike every time you get hungry.
8. Keep on top of your emotions
It’s easy to let things build up if you’re not careful. This is another one that requires a bit of self-awareness – monitor how you feel and be aware of what kinds of situations make those feelings stronger or weaker.
You don’t need to completely stop feeling the stress or sadness (or whatever else) – but you can handle it better and prevent it from sucking all your energy away by practicing mindfulness and allowing yourself time to process these complex emotions.
This will probably take some practice, but after a while, you’ll notice that you’re able to simply observe how you’re feeling instead of just being overcome by it. There’s no need to judge yourself for being overwhelmed – just try to take some deep breaths and take in the situation for what it is. You can get some anxiety jewelry from StoryJewellery.