Nurturing your body and mind has never been as crucial as it is today. Indeed, we have all gone through extremely challenging times in the past months. Scientific evidence is showing the effects of the pandemic and lockdown on our health, both mental and physical.
However, during summer, it was at least possible to enjoy a sunny day or two in our gardens. But now that the winter months and its gloomy days are approaching, much more time will be spent indoors. Whether facing these moments alone, with a partner, or with a whole family, nurturing your body and mind is paramount. By giving it a little extra attention now, you can avoid more serious problems later.
Start a Mindful Practice
A mindfulness practice such as meditation and yoga has been shown to be beneficial to our overall health and wellbeing. You will gain better control over your feelings and emotions. The pandemic and the many global concerns trigger high-stress levels and anxiety. Meditation and yoga are both avenues to explore to help you regain peace of mind. You will then be able to do whatever you do with more serenity.
Start with just a few minutes a day. But, you can continue your practice of meditation and/or yoga for as long as it feels good! Aside from the psychological benefits of yoga, you can also count on improved strength. In addition, a regular practice will improve balance and flexibility. You will in time feel more dynamic and ready to face the day!
Improve Your Diet
The nutritional regime or diet we follow plays a major role in our general health and wellbeing. Indeed, a healthy, nutritious diet, can not only help you shed unwanted pounds, but will give you a sense of control and confidence as well. Consuming the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients our body needs is the best way to increase our happiness and energy levels.
The first step to a healthier life might be simply to swap processed foods for fresh and seasonal produce. You might also benefit from speaking to a certified nutritionist who will help you refine your diet and tailor your food choices to your particular needs and tastes.
Don’t Forget to Exercise
Exercising and weight training is not only an optimal way to shed pounds, it also encourages your body to release the chemicals that help us feel happy and energized. You may discover that even if you don’t feel like exercising, when you do, you return home more energized than you’ve felt in days.
Sweating and drinking more water also helps eliminate unwanted toxins that accumulate in the body. It is an essential step in detoxing. Regular exercise can also improve sleep. Regular exercise is very effective for nurturing your body and mind during these stressful times.
Speak to a Professional
Sometimes, it is just best to speak to a professional. Recognizing mental health issues before they become a serious problem will help you find and return to a sense of wellbeing.
It can be challenging to understand what is happening, or the cause of feeling off mentally and emotionally. A few beneficial therapy sessions with a professional might help provide the answers you are looking for.
While it can be challenging to think about trusting an expert psychologist or psychiatrist, the benefits of these decisions will be evident in no time.
Nearly 7 months into the pandemic, my husband and I are showing signs of emotional fatigue. Even though we have a healthy diet, exercise a fair amount for our age, and meditate first thing each day, the pandemic has had an effect. Thanks for the gentle reminders here, Dorothy!
We are too. It’s so wearing. I was just sitting here this morning pondering how to work toward restoring balance. It seems to difficult!