Caring for yourself needs a holistic approach to your physical and mental health.
When your body and mind are healthy, your soul is at ease too. But taking out time for self-care is not always easy. Due to busy work schedules, family responsibilities, and everyday demands, self-care often goes on the backburner. But you must realize that keeping a healthy body and mind is your surety to live a healthy and peaceful life.
Even if you have the busiest routine in this world, you still need to manage time for self-care. It boosts your self-esteem and encourages you to establish goals and achieve them.
Not sure how to care for your body and mind? Below we give our two cents on this issue.
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1. Choose healthy workplaces
The choice of your workplace is essential in ensuring your physical and mental health. Some occupations, such as nursing, firefighting, armed forces, etc., are relatively more stressful and physically tiring.
People associated with these professions must be extra careful about their mental and physical health and well-being.
A study in 2017 concluded that the armed forces' work is the most stressful. It is also among the riskiest ones.
When working in the military, you are often exposed to harmful substances such as asbestos, which increases your risk of mesothelioma. To know more about mesothelioma and its risk to armed personnel, you can check online resource websites such as Mesothelioma Veterans Center and see how you can keep your body and mind safe from these substances.
2. Healthy sleep habits
Sleep is indispensable for a healthy mind and body.
Stress is detrimental to mental and physical health, and sleep is a combat force. Still, more than 35% of US adults don’t get enough sleep.
Sleep deprivation impairs your cognitive functions such as memory, decision making, analytical thinking, and processing of emotions.
Furthermore, lack of sleep also increases your chances of obesity.
A 2020 study states that adults who sleep less than 7 hours have a 41% increased chance of developing obesity. But interestingly, sleeping longer did not increase any such risk. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize sleep for your sound mental and physical health.
Sleep requirements vary among people, but a healthy adult requires seven to eight hours of sleep every day.
3. Regularly meditate and engage in Yoga
Meditation is hailed for improving your well-being and quality of life. There is also evidence that it can fight insomnia and anxiety and boost your immunity.
During meditation, your body focuses on a positive detail—scenery, a thought, or an event. This focus increases your self-awareness and promotes a positive perception of yourself. Meditation removes knots of stress that might be crowding your mind.
Research also suggests that meditation leads to physical changes in the brain, leading to better information processing and slowing the cognitive effects linked to aging.
While it is recommended to spend 10 to 20 minutes every day in a quiet place and focus on positive facets of your life, you can do other things too. Use this time to cultivate peace of mind and restore your mental and physical health.
4. Spend time with your family
There can be many excuses not to spend time with family— work, outside responsibilities, work engagements—but only one reason to spend time— to connect with your family.
Countless studies have emphasized the positive health and wellness benefits of spending time with family.
Bonding with family over dinner or lunch improves your relationship. You can discuss your problems and combat stress attacks. Kids who spend time with family develop self-esteem and boost confidence.
5. Schedule time for yourself
Taking time out for yourself is essential as a busy life might deprive you of the freedom to relish your life to the fullest.
Scheduling self-time and appreciating yourself builds confidence in your abilities and instills contentment. So, whenever possible, take out time for yourself, rest, and focus on what is truly meaningful in your life.
6. Disconnect yourself from technology
Technology is often the biggest inhibition in your way of spending time with yourself and your family.
It is so addictive that it will force you to ignore aspects of your life that can promote health and wellness. For instance, you might prefer binge-watching a popular TV series to exercising in the gym. Or making a phone call to your friends instead of going out and meeting them in person.
Technology applications such as smartphones, laptops, Ipads, etc., are good as long as you are not addicted to them. Use social media to stay connected instead of as an alternative to social engagements.
Computer screens emit blue light—not healthy for your eyes.
Working on laptops affects your posture and causes pain. So, log out from all your devices for a few hours. Instead, use this time to interact with your family, read a book, go for a stroll in the park, decorate your room, or trim your plants.
7. Write a journal
Jotting down your thoughts, anxieties, worries, and routine of the day lets your thoughts flow out naturally.
With time you will have constructive thoughts and ideas to write in your journal. Writing your thoughts is one of the ways to organize your thoughts and do catharsis.
You will also be more aware of your feelings that might be building up stress in your mind. You will connect with yourself and see your thought process during this time.
8. Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet is indispensable to keeping your body and mind healthy. But it does not mean restricting yourself to a few food items.
Healthy food also means avoiding binge-eating instant noodles, processed nuggets, and other semi-cooked processed food. Healthy eating fulfills the dietary needs of your body and mind. It shows that you prioritize your health and wellbeing and take time for it.
Ensure your diet includes vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, etc. Don’t overdo any of these items, as excess can do more harm than good.
Conclusion
Caring for your mind and body is your responsibility. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, keep yourself hydrated, meditate, and do yoga. Also, make sure to be safe at your workplace and stay away from harmful substances.
