Taking care of your own well-being is easier than you think with these 6 simple things you can try every day from home.
At least that’s what Dr. Maurice Duffy, a wellness coach. These tips could make a big difference in your daily life, reported British newspaper The Mirror.
Make a “bad day” plan.
“Caring for mental health should be as important as eating, bathing and sleeping,” the coach said. But when you’re having a really bad day, it can be difficult to step back and figure out how to make yourself feel better.
The doctor therefore suggests creating a “bad day plan” that is prepared beforehand when you are having a good day.
“This can include things like a ready-made sympathy letter to give you encouragement when you’re in trouble, a relaxation activity like a bath, a plan to trim your to-do list — things you can do more of later.” . Journaling can also help you understand how you’re feeling,” he adds.
take breaks
“If you can’t get a few minutes of rest in a whole day, maybe that’s a sign that you should take breaks more often,” says Duffy.
“Mindfulness meditation is still a good place to start because it helps bring your attention to the present moment and release judgment about how you’re feeling,” he adds.
Even simple breathing techniques can be helpful if you don’t know where to start.
Say thank you more often
“Expressing or feeling gratitude has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression,” says Dr. Alison McClymont, psychologist.
Gratitude is said to reduce stress, lower cortisol levels (our body’s main stress hormone) and increase overall psychological well-being.
Gratitude would also correlate with a lower risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer, as well as improved symptoms of autoimmune diseases.
Looks positive…really?
We have all been confronted with bad news or the end of a relationship. Although many are told to see the bright side of things, in reality it’s not that simple.
Positive thinking doesn’t work for everyone — for some, it can actually make the problem worse, the doctor says. If you always try to stay positive or happy, you run the risk of ignoring your important feelings and not addressing their root cause.
“Sometimes it’s best to take a break and be honest with yourself, and then come up with a realistic plan to decide what to do to best ease those feelings,” explains the coach.
Move!
“30 minutes of exercise can make a huge difference to your health, mood and well-being,” confirms Dr. duffy
dr McClymont adds, “Physical activity helps fight depression and anxiety. When we exercise, more serotonin and endorphins (happy hormones) are produced and then released from your body.
Maintain good relationships around you
“Negative relationships are very detrimental to our mental health,” says Duffy.
Whether you are a partner, friend or family member, it is important that you invest your time in people who make you feel good.
Taking steps to improve your relationships can help you develop positive attitudes about yourself and the other people in your life.
In order to improve your relationships, a rule recommended by the Coach is to multiply by five times the positive statements compared to the negative statements in your discussions, including in your arguments and disagreements.