There’s much more to taking care of your health than meets the eye, literally. Of course, it’s important to maintain physical health, but what many people don’t realize is that caring for your mental and emotional health is just as vital to your well-being. What’s more, issues with your mental and/or emotional health can extend into the physical realm, contributing to a variety of physical conditions, ranging from a common cold to cancer. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to nourish your non-physical self so as to protect your physical self and, ultimately, treat the entirety of your well-being. Here are some tips to treating yourself with care: five ways to rejuvenate.
It may seem counterintuitive to think that exercise can actually calm your body and give you more energy at the same time, but it’s true. That’s because exercise releases your body’s feel-good chemicals, countering stress, anxiety, depression, and all that bad stuff that builds over time if you don’t take the time to care for yourself.
Meditate
Meditation is not just for hippies and monks, and there is a reason why it has been used for ages to achieve calm. It works. Don’t be confused by all the hype. While it is true that there are many different ways to meditate, it’s also true that it’s not necessary to meditate any “right” way. Basically, whatever works for you and helps you clear your mind from the day’s pressure is enough of a meditation to affect some real, positive change in your mental and emotional well-being.
Take a Break
It’s important that you balance your work and personal life, which means that, sometimes, you just have to take a break. Either schedule a couple of vacation days or call in sick, and just spend the time doing absolutely nothing. Don’t worry – your work will still be there when you return.
Guttural Breathing
This technique actually helps clear anxiety chemicals from your system by oxygenating the lower halfs of your lungs, which feed the blood vessels that are responsible for carrying chemicals away. Any time you’re feeling tense, try drawing a deep breath by pushing your stomach out and concentrating on using your diaphragm to pull air into the lowest portion of your lungs. Hold for a few seconds, then release and feel a wave of calm wash over your body.
Practice Being in the Moment
Be conscientious about concentrating on only one task at a time, and about ridding your mind of outside distractions and worries over what you should be doing next. It’ll turn into a habit, and you’ll feel so much lighter.
Take care of yourself. It’s not so hard. As a matter of fact, it can make your life a lot easier.
About the Author: Nicky Zolinski loves all things health, wellness, and fitness-related. She also relies on technological services like IT recruiting services, her smart phone, and other online sites to keep connected with her clients and friends.
Originally posted on October 19, 2011 @ 4:13 pm
