At the start of every new year, many of us strive to be healthier. When it comes to health goals, however, many forget about working to improve mental health. Research shows that those with greater mental health deficits have a higher risk of mortality. Therefore, read below to learn about some tips on how you can add more self-care to your daily routine to help improve your mental health, and in turn improve your overall health, in this new year.
Physical Health Tips
Health experts from the Today Show report that behavior changes like listening to a favorite podcast while taking a walk can help reduce stress. Other behavior changes that can help reduce stress include:
- Setting aside time each day for a mindful walk or workout routine.
- Staying hydrated with water, coconut water, and herbal teas, for example.
- Preparing healthy, balanced meals to nourish your body daily.
- Creating a bedtime routine to help you achieve at least 7 hours of sleep each daily cycle.
Mental Health Self-Care
It’s also vital to make behavior changes to support the health of your mind. Examples of such changes include:
- Talking with a therapist or counselor to help devise ways to reduce anxiety or help you manage other mental health issues better.
- Reading or listening to self-help books written by mental health experts to help improve the way you interact with yourself and others.
- Starting a journal or simply writing down daily three things you are grateful for, no matter how small. These writing tasks can help you have a more positive mindset when facing hard times in life.
- Take time off from social media. Research shows time and again that too much screen time, especially on social media, can actually worsen mental health by inducing anxiety and depression.
- Spend time with a friend or loved one doing self-care activities you both enjoy, such as a spa day or watching your favorite movie.
Try Essential Oils to Help You Relax
Essential oil remedies
Natural herbs and essential oils can be a great add-on to your self-care routine. Examples of how to do this include:
- Spraying a mist of eucalyptus or lavender oils to a hot shower for a spa-like experience.
- Creating an essential oil roller with a coconut oil or tea tree oil base to apply to your wrists for a stress-relieving scent you can carry with you anywhere.
- Misting a lavender oil blend on your pillow to help lull you to sleep.
You can also add essential oils like orange, frankincense, or lemon oils to a diffuser you can place in your office, bedroom, or living area to help relax your mind and brighten your mood.
Hobbies and Interests
Many of us do not see the value in engaging in “me-time” since it doesn’t feel productive. However, this type of self-care is crucial to staying true to the authentic “you” and helping your mind and body to relax. Some examples of this “me time” may include:
- Cooking or baking a new recipe.
- Reading or listening to a book you’re interested in.
- Watch an inspiring movie or one that makes you laugh.
- Set aside time for meditation or relaxation breathing.
- Volunteer for a cause that is close to your heart.
- Listen to music you enjoy.
- Play a musical instrument or dance around the house without a care.
Research shows that just ten minutes a day of mindfulness done daily for at least 30 days can help reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being.
Natural Relaxation Supplements
Along with the above tips, it can help to add a natural relaxation supplement to your daily routine to help support optimal mental health for adults and children alike. Examples of such natural relaxation supplements include:
- Pure Encapsulations Hemp CBD VESIsorb: This softgel contains 25 mg of THC-free CBD made from 100% US-sourced, field-grown agricultural hemp. Research shows that CBD can help lessen symptoms of certain mental health conditions, which in turn can help improve quality of life over time.
- Nordic Naturals Zero Sugar Hair & Skin Gummy Chews: These strawberry lemonade flavored, sugar-free gummies are easy to take and contain highly concentrated omega-6 GLA with biotin (vitamin B7) to help support skin and hair health. By taking care of such aspects of your health, you can feel better on the outside, which can help you feel better about yourself overall.
- NutriDyn Dynamic Mag Calm Pro: A combination of magnesium and L-theanine help to promote improved cognitive function and reduce stress. Just mix one scoop of this raspberry and lemon-flavored powder into six ounces of water and enjoy a calming and refreshing drink once to twice daily.
- Xymogen RelaxMax: This cherry-flavored, powdered drink mix contains a blend of ingredients like the neurotransmitter GABA as well as compounds to support the body’s natural synthesis of catecholamines. Together RelaxMax works to promote hormonal balance, healthy glucose metabolism, and a calm, relaxed, well-balanced emotional and physiological state.
- Nordic Naturals Kids Calm Gummies: These delicious, kid-friendly strawberry and watermelon gummies contain magnesium and L-theanine to help promote relaxation and a sense of calm, which can also help kids get enough sleep.
No matter what method you choose, you should always prioritize self-care to avoid burnout. Just set aside at least ten minutes daily to help your mind and body relax, and in turn create a healthier and happier life this new year and beyond.
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