pthom3000According to the World Health Organization, mental wellness is a state of wellbeing. Mental wellness goes hand in hand with physical health. As well as staying socially connected with friends and family, whether that is in person, via Facebook, FaceTime, phone, text message, cards or letters, connection is connection. Don’t get hung up on what you can’t do. Staying engaged with hobbies and activities that we enjoy such as puzzles, baking, painting, or just reading a book aids in our well being. Try to think of something you have always wanted to do; and not something to further your career or because someone else wants you to do it. Maybe it’s something you used to enjoy when you were younger before life got busy (and complicated)… Something just for you, just because you want to . 😉
Routine:
Routine, or lack there of, can be problematic in and of itself. It can increase feelings of stress and anxiety. Lack of focus can leave a person feeling overwhelmed. What to do if you are now working from home or not working at all. Perhaps you are not able to do your routine volunteering…. The following are some suggestions to help establish some routine in your life.
- Keep a set bedtime and a set time to get up
- Make your bed, shower, and dress every morning. Do not neglect personal care routines because you are not leaving the house.
- Eat regular meals and avoid mindless snacking.
- Set daily goals by writing them down. Perhaps now is the time to tackle some of this chores that rarely get done, i.e.: clean out a closet, wash the windows, sort through old books and magazines. Schedule in one of these ‘rare’ chores each week. A sense of accomplishment is important.
- Ensure there is time set aside to get some fresh air and exercise.
- Limit screen time. In my episode on sleep, I said that the experts suggest no screen time at least 30 minutes to an hour before bed.
- If working from home, set a start and finish time, scheduling breaks to stretch ad move about. If you are doing piece work, lay out in your daily goals what is to be accomplished each day.
- Sip your 64 ounces of water.
- Don’t forget to take some deep breaths periodically.
- Keep a gratitude journal.
- Give back: adopt a street; volunteer to walk dogs at you local shelter; volunteer at the food bank…..or whatever else you can think of.
- Learn how to deal with stress: walking outside; journal writing, walk your pet; try one of our ‘Go With The Flow’ classes.
- Take advantage of an online exercise class
- Value yourself. Be aware of the negative self-talk. Correct it when you notice it. Spend time on your hobbies; take up a hobby. Learn a new language or learn to play an instrument. Write a book. Take an online course on a subject of interest.
- Connect body, mind, and spirit. Meditation or prayer can greatly reduce anxiety and bring a greater sense of peace into your life regardless of what is going on.
- Avoid using drugs and alcohol to ‘feel better’. Self-medication usually only aggravates problems.
Tools To Manage Stress and Anxiety:
Although they say you can’t buy happiness, maybe you ‘can’ spend a little money to help get some peace and relaxation. Here’s a short list of items that could be helpful in that persuit:
- Zen garden
- Essential oil diffuser
- Himalayan salt Lamp. A Himalayan salt lamp works to enhance the ionic balance of your living spaces. When heated the lamp emits negative ions that fight against electromagnetic radiation. The naturally ionized air also helps you sleep better at night, allowing you to wake refreshed.
- Water – whether it’s a fantastic outdoor pond, or a table top fountain, or a massaging shower head or rain shower…there’s no denying that water (especially the ‘sound’ of running water) has a soothing effect on most people. You will often here the sound of running water on meditation cd’s.
- Speaking of meditation; I found several deviating items on Amazon. A simple LED lightbulb, a glass orb, even a bonsai. At first blush they are simply novelty items. However, they are also meditation aids.
- Fidget toys help reduce stress and increase productivity. You might think that these are only for children that cannot sit still in class. And while that is true, they work equally well for adults. You can often find an array of these novelty items in book and stationary stores for on the desk. They work by distracting the brain from the anxiety it may be entertaining thereby having a calming effect. I found this inconspicuous ring pictured below
- Weighted blankets have their origins in deep pressure therapy. They can help to calm a restless body and induce a more restful sleep.
This list was not really intended to be recommendations as much as it is to give you some food for thought. You may want to try something on the list. Or, perhaps it inspires you to think of something else. The point is, if you are feeling stressed, you may want to try ‘something’. Seek help if you need it. Many if not most people experience periods of feeling anxious or down. This is quite normal. However, if these feelings persist for longer then a few weeks, talk to your doctor. Or look online for some counselling options. Sometimes getting an outsiders’ perspective on your situation can help you see things in a different light.
I have included a printable wellness checklist. Take a few minutes to check in with yourself.
And finally; count your blessings and SMILE; it improves your ‘face value’. 😉