We all have been through a lot these past few years. Positive mental health for all but especially the young and the over 40 crowd have been deeply affected. Here are 3 tips to help you get through it.
Take Care of Yourself
Your physical well being has a lot to do with your mental health. Think about the last time you didn't feel good, maybe you had cold. Your mental health was probably down too. Everything seemed bleak and dark. Sadly, fear has also played a part during the past few years.
Eating healthy, nutritious meals with a focus on lean protein, greens and less sugar will benefit your body and keep you healthy. Focus on immunity building foods with Vitamin C, super foods that include Resveratrol. Supplements because, let's be honest, we don't always eat well and we can't possibly get all the nutrients we need in one day.
Move. We have become a sedentary society especially with social media, Doordash and Instacart. Heck, I don't even need to leave my house for much of anything if I don't want to. Get outside and walk, jog, or garden. Make a resolution to do yoga, join a gym or find an accountability partner to check in and make sure you are moving.
Sleep! I was the gal that worked all day and stayed up until 2 am still working. Not anymore! I make myself a priority and get some sleep. Your body needs time to restore itself, rest and repair. As we get older, there is more to repair and our bodies can't always keep up with what our mind wants us to do.
Connections
While staying home to do practically everything sure is convenient, we are human. Humans need to be connected to each other. We are made that way. Even introverts need some form of connection. Whether you are working from home or not, get out and talk to people. Volunteer, join a church group or interest group (books, cooking) or maybe take a class. Women especially need to be social with others. Social connections help us keep our minds and mental health in check.
Stress
I don't need to tell you how hard stress has hit us all. Women especially, as we tend to be nurturers, fixers of all. When we can't fix, we feel like failures. We are stressed, depressed and some, hopeless. Distract yourself by doing things you enjoy (cooking, reading), say positive affirmations, journal, workout, practice yoga, meditate, listen to self development books, eat/drink calming foods, use medicinals such as CBD. You may even consider therapy if you are not able to de-stress yourself.
While we cannot undo what has happened over the past few years, we can begin the journey to improve our mental health.