1. Drink More Water
It has been drilled into some of our heads to drink eight glasses of water a day. I was also told in a high school class that half of your body weight in ounces is another way of looking at it. But who actually does that? It seems impossible! But even making small changes in order to drink more water can be beneficial. For example, drinking water helps with clear skin, detoxifying the body, losing weight, improving mood, cushioning the brain, regulating blood pressure and relieving headaches. There are limitless benefits. So think about switching out your daily can of soda next time with a glass or two of water.
2. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is necessary for our physical, mental and emotional health, so why do we overlook it? Getting plenty of rest at night involves a recommended seven to nine hours of sleep. This time frame allows our bodies to go through REM sleep, which is essential for memory formation and overall brain chemistry balance, multiple times. Skipping out on a few hours of shuteye each night isn’t a good idea.
3. Snack on Brain Food
Although indulging in that entire bag of Doritos in one sitting can feel like a destresser, it certainly is not healthy otherwise. The best snacks to help our brain function and benefit our overall well-beings are ones high in omega-3 fats. These include whole grains, nuts, salmon and spinach. Blueberries and dark chocolate also make great brain food snacks.
4. Take Time to Relax
Believe it or not, your mind needs time to rest just as much as your body. Interruptions and breaks from our fast-paced daily lives are very important. Set aside time throughout the day where you can do as little thinking as possible and let your thoughts wander. Excellent ways of doing so include listening to music and drawing or coloring. It’s a great excuse to go buy an adult coloring book!
5. Exercise
It goes without saying that exercising is important for our health. Not only does it make us more physically fit, but it also improves mental health. Simply going for a brisk walk by yourself or with a friend a couple times a week is a good practice. Your brain and body will thank you.
6. Talk it Out
Having conversations with a friend, partner or family member about your life and theirs is very worthwhile. It’s unhealthy to bottle up emotions and never talk about them with someone. Whether it’s happy or sad, asking for advice or a shoulder to cry on, reach out when something is on your mind rather than holding it in. Not to mention sharing emotional bonds and feelings with another person is an innate human need.
7. Balance is Key
For many people, trying to balance their mental, social and physical well-being is a daunting struggle. If two of them are strong but the third isn’t, the trinity is off-balance. They are all equally important and none of them should be neglected.
8. Breathe
Are you overwhelmed and stressed out? Don’t overlook the power of a good deep-breathing exercise! All you have to do to calm your mind is take a deep, slow inhale, then exhale slowly. There is also the 4-7-8 breathing exercise in which you inhale for four seconds through your nose, hold it in for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds through your mouth. Repeat your routine as many times as you need.
9. Make Time for Friends and Family
No matter how busy everyone’s schedules are, making time for those you love is very important. Whether it’s calling your mom or grabbing dinner with your friend, everyone deserves to spend a little time away from the stress of work and/or school. You’ll get an added bonus for laughing a lot too, as it can relieve bodily tension and stress.
10. Hug More
Hugging someone is one of the easiest ways to make you feel happier. When you hug a loved one, you are reducing your stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure, releasing positive hormones from the brain like oxytocin, and you’re also getting a warm, comforting feeling. But don’t go around hugging strangers! With permission, hugging your family and friends is the best way to go.