Suffering from daily stress and the constant nagging feeling of anxiety can certainly take a toll on anyone’s mental health and overall wellbeing. With the unprecedented ways of the world right now, stress is bound to seep into daily life causing a change in mood, sleepless nights, loss/increase of appetite and other disruptions.
Fortunately, there are resources and tips out there that can help ease your stress and rein in those daily anxieties.
Keep reading for ways to help your mental wellbeing, not just right now, but for the long term, too.
1. Adopt a new lifestyle.
Engaging in some sort of physical activity will not only help keep you in shape, but can also have a positive influence on your mental health. Exercise is known to improve mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. But this doesn’t mean you have to start hitting the gym. Routine exercise can look like walking after dinner, playing basketball with friends or following along to a workout routine on YouTube. Find an activity you enjoy and make it routine.
Including healthier options into your meals can also make a difference in your mental wellbeing. Research shows that by introducing more nutritious foods into your diet can alter symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders. Diets high in sugar, fats and carbs can have us feeling lousy and dragged down, which doesn’t help with mental health. When we fill our bodies with wholesome foods, we can expect to feel full longer, energized and even happier.
2. Enjoy the things that make you happy.
With the hustle of today’s world stacked on top of daily anxiety, it can sometimes feel like there’s nothing to look forward to anymore. But that’s not true. Take the time to reflect on what makes you happy. Whether it’s staying in for the night, spending time with your pets, or cooking a solo dinner, these are the times when you should be able to sit back and truly relax. The simplest moments are usually the most enjoyable. Make a list of what makes you the happiest throughout the week, and be sure to make time for these little bits of joy – you deserve it.
3. Seek out resources and support.
Without some sort of support, your mental health can unfortunately get worse and can cause bigger interruptions into your life and health. Before it reaches that point, consider speaking with a trusted friend or family member about your worries. Sometimes talking about your problems can be a source of relief.
However, if you feel you have no one to turn to, consider reaching out to a professional. At St. George Medical Clinic, we offer behavioral health services to all of our patients. We strongly believe mental and emotional health is an important part of overall health and wellness.
Our team is equipped with the resources and knowledge to help you adjust to life with anxiety and stress.
Please reach out to us at 304-478-3339.