As it is rightly said, a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Being stuck inside the house, we are more likely to snack and eat junk while binge-watching our favourite shows. This can make us lethargic and hinders our productivity. Start the new year on a better note and include cooking in your daily routine. Besides being a therapeutic activity, it encourages you to eat healthy. An easy way to take your healthy eating journey up a notch is to plan out a diet with a friend so you can motivate each other to follow it. Reduce or eliminate processed foods and switch them with fresh whole foods. Introduce super-grains in your diet besides all the greens to ensure an intake of your daily dose of nutrients.
Gardening is a good way to release excess built up energy in a healthy, environmentally friendly way. Growing your personal miniature garden teaches you the virtue of being responsible. Being around oxygen-rich air heals and empowers you. Your plants can be your little friends, helping you ward off any sense of loneliness. If you lack space in your home, vertical gardens are a new alternate which amp up your space with minimal efforts.
Keeping your mental sanity in check should be your first priority this year; and that includes cancelling unwanted plans. Instead, you can make a cup of your favourite brew, read a book and give time to yourself. An easy and efficient way to not let the FOMO hit you is to do an at-home face mask. Taking care of your outer appearance will make you more confident from the inside. Social media takes a toll on our mental health; constantly finding validation in other people’s perception of you can get tiring. Try to minimize usage of your phone and go off socials for a few days; call it a mental vacation. If it helps your pockets then a little retail therapy has never hurt anyone!
- Strolls
Exercise is therapy. A long stroll in open parks increases levels of oxygen in your blood and releases endorphins that causes the so-called - ‘runner’s high’. While pumping the endorphins in our body, it simultaneously ejects all the toxic chemicals build up. It is a form of therapy which reduces stress, depression and anxiety. Besides this, the modest act of going for a walk has productive and creative benefits. Aimless walks foster fleeting illuminations and help your thoughts flow. Incorporate small strolls into your daily routine to reap some physical and mental gains.
- Engage in tactile activities
Engaging your senses can lead to sensory modulations that facilitate discovery and self-awareness. Studies have shown that tactile activities that involve your basic senses of sight, smell, touch, taste and sounds build neural connections that support thought, learning and creativity. Don't be afraid of getting your hands messy!
- Keep in Touch
Good and nurturing relationships are vital to our mental health. Keeping in touch with your friends, family and co-workers can help bust stress and reduce levels of anxiety. After all, man is a social animal. Spare some time from your busy schedule to stay connected with your loved ones.