There?s a misunderstanding that if you are not struggling with a mental health disorder, you don?t need to worry about your mental health. It?s important to remember that being well is not the absence of illness or stress.
Rather, wellness is the active process of being aware of living a healthy and fulfilling life. Just as you develop habits to keep yourself physically healthy, you can develop habits that improve your mental wellness. Mental and physical wellness are linked to each other in many important ways and should be viewed as skills that need to be developed and repeated in a balanced way.
There also can be a perception that working 16 hours a day is necessary to demonstrate a strong work ethic. This can lead to stress, burnout, and not living a healthy and balanced life. So how can you begin taking time to bring balance to your physical and mental wellness?
Following are five steps to help you become both physically and mentally healthy while bringing more balance into your life.
1. Exercise
We know daily exercise is good for optimizing health. But with so many options and limitless information available, it?s easy to get overwhelmed with what works.
Check out the exercises you can do for fitness. Combine them into a routine for a workout that?s simple but powerful and sure to keep you in shape for the rest of your life.
2. Sleep
They say adults need 7-8 hours of sleep each night to stay in good mental and physical health, promote quality of life, and avoid an increased risk of injury.
3. Nutrition
Cut down on sugary foods and replace them with nutrient-rich foods like fish, veggies, and foods that have healthy fats such as avocados. These habits have been shown to reduce depressive symptoms in adults. Nutrients in food, how the body uses them, and the relationship between diet, health, and disease.
4. Community and Relationships
Whether the support comes from family, a partner, friends, coworkers, or even pets, feeling connected to those around you can increase a sense of purpose and love in your life. Identify ways to create community.
5. Relaxation and Recreation
Relaxation actually isn?t easy (and doesn?t come naturally) for many of us. It?s hard not to get caught up in worry during our fast-paced, time-crunched days, whether from work deadlines, financial worries, or feeling like we don?t have enough quality time for family and friends ? or for ourselves and our favorite activities.
