We all know that following a healthy diet and getting enough exercise and physical activity is beneficial to your overall health, but they are far from the only things you can do to stay healthy. There are plenty of things that you can do to improve your physical health and your mental health, too, and stop you from turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
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Get a good night’s rest
Sleep is essential for maintaining both physical and emotional wellbeing. However, these days, it is not given the priority that it deserves. We are so busy working and caring for others and doing everything else that our active lifestyles demand that we tend to fall into bed exhausted and wake up feeling pretty tired still.
Try putting your sleep first for a while and see how much happier and healthier you feel. It is recommended that you get seven or eight hours of sleep a night, but of course, some people need more, some people need less. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning to get your body into a routine. Cut out or reduce caffeine in the run-up to bedtime, drink plenty of water, and put down your cell phone and other technology devices for at least an hour before bed. Spend this period doing something relaxing and let your body and mind rewind. Some people find warm, milky drinks, or a hot bath can help them.
If you still wake up feeling tired after all of this, take a trip to your doctors. It may be that there is something that is disrupting your sleep cycles. The good news is that there is sleep apnea treatment available and other sleep disorders.
Start saying no
There are only so many things that one person can do. Not only is there only a certain amount of time in a day to do things, but everyone has a mental and physical capacity, and when that is full, anything else can lead to exhaustion and mental health stresses. The best way of dealing with this is knowing when to say “no”. Whether it is turning down an extra hour or two of overtime at work or declining a social invitation so that you can get a good night’s sleep, learn to say no to things that will take you over your mental and physical capacity.
Reach out to others
Loneliness and feeling isolated are two of the biggest causes of depression and other mental health issues, so if you do feel like you are struggling, reach out. In an age where we are surrounded by technology, it has never been easier to communicate with other people, whether that is face to face, via video call, social media, or email. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a friend or family member. There are support groups available for almost everything and online groups and forums where you can chat and make friends if doing it in person is a challenge.
Seriously Consider Professional Help
We mentioned that you should reach out to someone that cares about you, but it’s also wise to consider further action if you feel as though those close to you cannot be enough. A one-on-one meeting with a psychiatrist might help to save your mental stability if ever you look to be falling a little. Even something as significant as a NAD Treatment Center could come into your thinking if you feel as though your own self-improvement might not be enough. You need to do what you can to improve your life, and there’s no shame in admitting you need assistance.
•What are your tips for living a healthy and happy life?
Thank you for reading!
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