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Welcome all! Today i'm pleased to share guest blogger and self-care expert, Brain Krause's recent article outlining some simple, but powerful self-care tips for easing a troubled mind in the face of the daily grind. Check it out, reach out, let us know what practices work best for you!
Self-Care Could Be the Cure for Your Troubled Mind
Stress affects us all, and it can have disastrous consequences for certain people, leading to anxiety and depression if left unchecked. Those maladies strike tens of millions of Americans every year, and many of them struggle just to get out of bed in the morning.
You’ve likely dealt with your share of pressure and would like to keep things from getting to that level. Enter self-care, an approach to well-being that reduces stress through practices such as setting aside time to relax, getting enough sleep, and making yourself a priority by saying “no” to overweening demands on your energy at work and at home.
If you’re wondering how that works, here’s a closer look at some of those practices and, most importantly for motivation, how you’ll benefit mentally from those efforts.
A Healthy Diet
There are a number of reasons why getting enough nutrients from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats would keep you from feeling overwhelmed, one of the most important of which is having an appropriate amount of blood sugar so you’re rarely without energy. Moreover, there are specific foods that reduce stress, including turkey and leafy greens.
Regular Exercise
You’ve probably heard of endorphins, which are neurotransmitters emitted during physical activity to reduce your sense of pain, operating in the same way as opiates such as morphine or codeine. They make you feel good, providing just the boost you need to start your day, relieving stress and anxiety along the way.
Real Relaxation
Unwinding after work is crucial if you want to enjoy your evening and get to sleep on time. Yet, few people know how to do it right even though it seems so simple. Television is not the way to go, and neither is social media such as Facebook. Instead, soothe your mind and release tension by taking a hot bath, reading a book, or listening to music.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness means being in the present, as you would during meditation or yoga, focusing on the sensations running through your body without judgment. It allows a clearer vision of what’s troubling you and how you react emotionally, says a writer with Medium. That’s intensely therapeutic and available in your own home by setting aside a quiet space free from distraction. Essential oils such as lavender (which can be purchased online for $7.99) add to the experience and carry their own mental and physical health benefits. Although far from exhaustive, this list of what you’ll gain mentally should have you itching to make a few of those lifestyle changes.
A Sense of Calm
Creating a sense of calm is your most important takeaway. Rather than feeling frazzled when things don’t go your way, you’ll have the presence of mind to be patient and act productively while bouncing back effortlessly and moving forward. That’s because you know how to deal with stress rather than have stress deal with you.
Getting Things Organized
When attempting to create a sense of calm, take a quick look at your surroundings. If your home feels cramped, cluttered, and overwhelming, you might need to declutter your belongings and get organized. This process might sound easy, but once you get started, you may discover that parting with possessions isn’t really that simple. Thankfully, there are many online guides to help you get things in order, though this is only half the battle. Once you’ve finished decluttering, you might notice that your home now feels a little dusty and dirty. Instead of tackling this project yourself, treat yourself to a little TLC by hiring a maid service to give your space some much-needed tidying. Just keep in mind that cleaning services in the San Francisco area typically run between $118 and $224, so make sure you can afford this luxury beforehand.
Emotional Control
Emotional control is a consequence of that sense of calm. Furthermore, a balanced diet means you’re less susceptible to fatigue as your energy levels stay high, resulting in fewer moments of anger or crankiness. Now, throw in mindfulness, which makes you more resilient to negative emotions, and you’re cool as a cucumber.
More Confidence
There’s no need to delve into research to understand how this works. Eating healthy and exercise improve your physique and give you energy, amplified by that healthy night’s sleep, and that’s bound to improve how you feel about yourself. Armed with confidence, you’ll have no trouble asking your boss for a raise or talking to someone attractive at a party.
Overall Positivity
You’ve got the peace of mind to deal with stress as well as negative emotions, not to mention the confidence to get what you want while looking good and feeling fine. That’s when the revelation strikes: The sky’s the limit for a person like you, so it’s time for some improvements.
What starts as small adjustments to your lifestyle ends in transformative changes for your whole mentality, professionally and spiritually — and it’s all yours for the taking.
Image via Pixabay
Brad Krause graduated from college in 2010 and went straight to the corporate world at the headquarters of a popular retail company. But what started as a dream job soured quickly. After four years of working 15-hour days and neglecting his health, he decided enough was enough. Through aiding a friend during a tough time, Brad discovered his real calling-helping people implement self-care practices that improve their overall well-being. He created SelfCaring.info to share his own knowledge and the many great resources he finds on his self-care journey.