We are constantly harassed by continuous demands from work and life that there is little time left for anything else. Our responsibilities from busy careers and such could get so bad that it makes it difficult to keep up with our personal needs.
Of course we usually can’t control some of these situations, however, it’s important to note that ignoring the body and mind can be harmful to our personal lives as well as the professional lives that keep us so busy.
Being able to prioritize and maintain a balanced routine with all the demands life throws at you, gives you a better grip on handling stress effectively, because a healthy body and mind would enhance your life.
When you’re exhausted both physically, mentally, and
knackered – in general, you may find yourself struggling and reacting poorly to circumstances, which may cause you more complications. We are tough and resilient when we are at our best, which gives us the much-needed strength to cope with the uncontrollable stressors we face.
Take some time out from your busy schedule to pamper yourself. Go a step further, give yourself a treat, it helps you feel more energized towards facing day-to-day activities.
Below are guidelines to better equip you to take charge of your personal life and care for your health.
Having an unhealthy diet can make one susceptible to stress, which in turn gives you a craving for junk. A balanced Nutrition is associated with physical, emotional and cognitive health. Eating a well-balanced meal gives your brain and your body the vitamins and minerals needed to stay nourished. Include vegetables and fresh fruits to your menu, you’ll be amazed on how much stress you can handle with a balanced diet.
Sleep is vital for our general well-being. The required amount of sleep for an adult is eight-ten hours for optimum function, and having poor quality sleep can negatively impact your productivity. Quality sleep or as much as a little nap from time to time helps you function properly.
- Play your favorite song – Listen to music
The feelings that are induced by music are strong and they help you relax your emotions, particularly when you’re stressed. Create a playlist for your favorite songs to help you relax –as they say, music is life and food for the soul.
Meditation is another important self-care plan. Some of the advantages of meditating are; self-reflection, relaxation of your body, mind, and soul. Take out time to slip into a serene state of peace and let your stress levels work themselves out in the back of your mind – as soon as your focus is away from stress, you’re happier. Meditating often also improves the immune system and giving you a healthier life.
Regular exercise is excellent for both your physical, mental and emotional well-being. It helps your body release endorphins, which increases your overall lively feeling and provides a stress release that keeps the body healthy and upbeat. You could take 30minutes of exercise (morning or evening) and slot it in as part of your daily routine. It could be jogging, running, walking, dancing, taking a stroll, skipping etc, they are all positive exercises to help relieve stress.
Aside from being just a fun activity, dancing is another form of creative exercise that allows you release all that negative stress/energy built up. It helps you channel your energy in a more positive way.
A good hobby is a nice distraction from stress. Find hobbies that can provide some form of excitement and help you get rid of unwanted tension. Watching movies, swimming, drawing etc could offer you relief.
Drinking enough water is important to the body, as it helps flush out toxins and bacteria from your system. Staying hydrated increases your strength plus it assists with your body work at full capacity. It also enhances the appearance of your skin, giving you a younger and healthier look.
Pampering one’s self from time to time can never be overstated. A tired body or mind won’t be able to produce much and this may even cause you to act out in situations. Give yourself a treat once in a while; go to the movies, buy yourself a couple of nice things, or go to a spa. You’ll be surprised how satisfying doing these little things for yourself would make you feel.
- Having the right attitude and processing your emotions
Most of the time when we have a bad experience and dwell on it, we feel more upset. This is because a bad experience is stressful for one’s frame of mind. Seeing things from a different perspective – having an optimistic view won’t only decrease your stress level, it will make you accomplish more in life.
Also, bottling up emotions is unhealthy, it could lead to an emotional outburst. When you’re going through a tough time it’s important to process your feelings, understand them and let them out – it mustn’t necessarily be by telling someone (there are times we are not emotionally or mentally ready to share certain information) so to help you better, you could jot them down. This could go a long way to reduce tensions and help you attain a healthy life.
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This article was first published on 7th October 2017 and updated on August 27th, 2018 at 1:25 pm
beckonoise
Becky Onoise is a psychologist, chocolate junkie, and puppy lover. A writer who is sorry... not sorry about correcting your grammar. She's a word enthusiast and aims to achieve her goals. Instagram handle @mz_berkey
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