Did you know that your gut is actually a type of “second” brain? This is because what we eat has a direct effect on the way the rest of our body feels. It makes sense, the gut is where we absorb nutrients from our food, including around 95 percent of the total serotonin the body uses each day.
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How to Protect Your Mind From the Mistakes You Make
The human mind is a strong but delicate thing. That’s what makes it so remarkable.
The mind’s incredible sensitivity goes hand-in-hand with awesome power and agility. So it’s no surprise that when things go wrong up there, they can go pretty drastically wrong.
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Backyard Oasis – A Place to Feed Your Mind and Soul
In today’s day and age, it’s very hard to find a few minutes of peace of quiet. We’re always racing and chasing things while life passes us by. Soon, you’re sitting on your couch, wondering why you’re so tired and stressed all the time. The truth is, you don’t have to be.
There’s one place in the home where you can put your needs first, sit back, relax, and breathe again. Your backyard can be the oasis your mind and body so desperately need. Of course, you’ll need to think of your design if you want to reap its benefits.
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5 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
Since it’s summertime and the weather is becoming warmer, many people are focusing on their physical well being and appearance. After all, it is “beach season” and people want to look their absolute best. However, this pressure of looking “perfect” can create a lot of stress and self-resentment. People can become frustrated with themselves simply because they don’t look like the models or stars that they see on TV or in magazines. This can eventually spiral into a negative attitude that can absolutely ruin your mental state and can be quite hard to recover from. People who aren’t happy with themselves or their body can have side effects such as depressive episodes or self-isolation. However, no matter how dark of a place you are in, there still are ways that you can improve your mental wellbeing and have a positive outlook on life. Here are five things you can do to improve your mental wellbeing.
Stop Comparing Yourself To Others
One of the worst things you can do for your mental wellbeing is to compare yourself to other people. Life isn’t a competition, and comparing yourself to others will only lessen your happiness in the end. Everybody goes through different trials and tribulations, so comparisons aren’t really relevant. You may see people that you believe are happier and more successful than you, but you don’t know the whole story. You don’t know exactly what that person is going through and if they are truly happy. Even if they are, why should it affect you? Stop comparing yourself to other people when it comes to attractiveness and success. So no, you don’t need to starve yourself or undergo treatment like Restylane to look like the movie stars, you’re perfect the way you are and shouldn’t even compare yourself to others. You should instead compare current self to your past self in order to be the best version of yourself possible. After doing this, your mental well-being will greatly improve.
Exercise More
Exercise is a great way to improve your physical health, but can also be a great way to improve your mental health as well. Exercise will allow you to be the best version of yourself, and will increase your overall happiness. If you struggle with weight, then cardio such as running, walking, and cycling can help you lose weight extremely quickly. If you’re looking to add weight, physical activity like weight lifting can allow you to bulk up. These physical changes will allow you to be the best possible version of yourself, improving your self confidence and mental wellbeing. However the biggest mental benefits of exercise stem from the chemicals your body releases during it. Your body will release endorphins when exercising, a chemical closely associated with the emotion of happiness. In addition, exercise can be a positive outlet for stress and frustration, allowing you to improve your wellbeing in a healthy manner. If you’re looking to improve your wellbeing, then exercise should be a key part of your lifestyle
Limit Social Media Use
The Internet and social media has begun to dominate our everyday lives, and in some cases it’s hurting us. An overuse of social media could be very bad for your mental wellbeing. It’s very easy to see what people post on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook and compare yourself to them. What many people don’t realize is that social media depicts the highest highs of peoples’ lives and very rarely shows the lows. Sometimes photos are overly edited or tampered with, creating unrealistic beauty expectations. Not comparing yourself with others can be very difficult if you’re constantly seeing the best part of everyone else’s lives on social media. Improve your mental wellbeing by limiting your social media use and and start focusing on yourself.
Meditate/Relax
Another very important part of improving your mental wellbeing is taking some time out of your day to relax and meditate. This won’t take long, as you probably will only need somewhere between ten and twenty minutes. Relaxing and meditating can allow you to take deep breaths and reflect upon your day. Deep breathing and meditation has been known to reduce stress levels, increase focus, and improve moods. Try taking some time out of your day to relax and meditate and you will surely see an increase in your mental wellbeing.
Sleep Right
Believe it or not, getting an adequate amount of sleep is actually one of the best things you can do for your mental well-being. A lack of sleep can result in you being irritable and not feeling like yourself. Getting the recommended amount of sleep has many health benefits that can help your mental state. You will feel well rested and ready to tackle the day. If you get the right amount of sleep for your body then you won’t have to worry about feeling tired or miserable throughout the day. Getting the right amount of sleep will allow you to feel happier and healthier and will have a major effect on your mental wellbeing.
5 Ways to Be Present in the Here and Now
In a world that’s full of distractions and instant gratuity, it can be hard to be happy and present in the here and now. Even outside the distractions that are constantly bombarding us, how do we stop worrying about what has happened and what may happen in the future? Being present is a struggle, but to get you started, take a look at these simple tips to try and be in the here and now.
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5 Herbal Remedies to Relieve Anxiety
Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety, and too often, pharmaceutical intervention is considered the first step in treatment. More and more people, however, are choosing to take control of their own health and wellness by choosing more natural remedies.
Non-drug anxiety interventions like yoga, meditation, and herbs can offer you effective anxiety management more holistically to leave you feeling less unbalanced and ready to face life’s trials.
What anxiety really is–or isn’t.
For a condition that so many people struggle with, there’s a lot of misinformation about what anxiety actually feels like. It is not, necessarily, a feeling of fear or fright as some people believe. In fact, it can look like a range of actions and emotions, from mild but constant trepidation to irrational anger and overwhelming feelings of dread. In addition, anxiety is often associated with depression, creating an even trickier mental health issue to manage.
Why People Choose Herbs To Manage Their Anxiety
In addition to nutrition, our ancestors found that some plants offered certain properties that were beneficial to their health and well-being, making plants humanity’s first medicines. These plants have enjoyed use for centuries, without the addictive properties or intense psychoactive experiences offered by many anxiety drugs. People who choose to use herbs to support their body’s needs do so for a more holistic answer to wellness or in addition to the treatments offered by modern medicine.
Herbal Anxiety Remedies
It’s important to understand that there is no single “right way” to manage anxiety, especially with herbal remedies. While one popular herb may do nothing for you, another choice which others feel is ineffective could be your ticket to better mental wellness. The following, in no particular order, are some of the most often cited and most commonly available natural, plant-based remedies for anxiety.
- Kava Kava – The Kava plant comes from the Polynesian Islands area of the Pacific Ocean. There, it has been used for its ability to calm and sedate users for centuries. Limited studies have indicated that it can help treat anxiety, aid sleep, ease pain, and promote a more positive demeanor. Available in most health food stores in both the capsule form and as raw roots, it’s also a popular tea additive found in regular grocery stores. While limited use is generally considered safe, heavy use kava that has been refined with organic solvents could pose a risk to your liver.
- Kratom – Sometimes compared to Kava, but actually quite different, Kratom is gaining a loyal following for a variety of conditions. If you’ve heard of Kratom, it was most likely for its potential to aid those seeking to break the cycle of opioid addiction. Native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree are used by locals as a pain reliever, to calm the mind, and as a stimulant to help them get through the day. Those who use it to support the treatment of their anxiety cite its ability to help them feel both energetic and calmly positive as the keys to their success.
- Cannabis – More and more people are turning to legal cannabis to manage the symptoms of their anxiety and a host of other conditions. While its reputation has taken a hit the past hundred years, for thousands of years before that humans have used hemp for a variety of health conditions. More and more states are choosing to let their residents take advantage of legal marijuana. Meanwhile, the US federal government legalized industrial hemp and derivative products like high-quality CBD with the 2018 Farm Bill, following the footsteps of other countries around the world.
- Valerian – Valerian flowers are small, sweet-smelling pink and white blooms, whereas the root of the plant smells like used sweatsocks you forgot about in your gym bag. The root has also proven itself as a reliable sedative and anxiolytic. You’ll find valerian in the ingredients lists of many bedtime teas, sleep supplements, and calming blends wherever you buy vitamins. It helps promote relaxation and calmness, making it the right daily support for those suffering from regular anxiety.
- Chamomile – These small daisy-like blossoms are a staple of herbal remedies. Chamomile tea is frequently cited as a sleep aid because it relaxes and soothes, the same properties you want when fighting anxiety. If you’re on blood thinners, you’ll want to avoid this flower as a natural remedy, but otherwise, it presents a generally safe, mild starting point to treating your anxiety holistically.
Retaking Control Of Your Life
Managing anxiety can be a complicated and draining experience. It’s important to give yourself not just the herbal support but the holistic wellness support you need to break free of its clutches. That means self-care. While that includes interventions, such as these herbal remedies, don’t discount the importance of your regular maintenance. A balanced diet, exercise, and keeping up with daily personal hygiene will all help you get back on track.
Treating anxiety is not a destination but a journey for many people, and herbal remedies can be just what’s needed to help you on your way.
About the Author:
Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry, collaborating with industry insiders and designers, getting insight on the latest trends.
