Helpful, and Healthy Habits

Have you ever thought about what your mental health comes down to? It comes down to you taking care of yourself. There are so many things we deem unimportant to our daily lives but in reality, they are crucial to our mental health. Feeling good and looking good are some of the best ways to cope with things like anxiety or depression. Ways you can accomplish your look good and feel good vibe is by some simple food swaps, easy and effective work-outs and of course other things you might enjoy!

I know that I sometimes find myself feeling confused why I may have gained or lost a few pounds, understand that is normal and weight is not permanent nor should you let it affect your mental health. Some people do not realize how deeply your mental and physical health are tied together. So when you do things like work out, you will overall feel better. Some things I have found that works for me, is yoga before I go to bed and again when I wake up. This allows me to stretch out after a long day, all while focusing on my breathing and my relaxation. Doing yoga in the morning allows me to start my morning in a positive way! Below is a video that I do at least three times a week, I hope this helps you relax and really focus on improving your stress level.

Another way I practice a healthy life style is trying to do a little bit of cardio each week, It is very important to get your heart rate up, and get your body moving as often as possible. Sometimes the usual cardio machines or treadmills seem like the worst, and I could not agree more! Some fun alternative cardio exercises are dance or body pump. If you do not belong to a gym, Youtube has some awesome videos you might really enjoy. If all of that is still too much, heres a list of simple at home work outs you can try!

Food can also impact our mental health and you should consider some food swaps or try new foods to help improve things like stress and anxiety. Sugar and processed foods can lead to inflammation throughout the body and brain, which may contribute to mood disorders, including anxiety and depression. When we’re feeling stressed or depressed, it’s often processed foods we reach for in search of a quick pick-me-up. To boost your mental health, focus on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables along with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon. Dark green leafy vegetables in particular are brain protective. Nuts, seeds and legumes, such as beans and lentils, are also excellent brain foods. Dr. Barish-Wreden says a healthy diet can be more effective for treating depression than prescription medications.

Start paying attention to how you feel when you eat, and what you eat. Sometimes giving yourself a few extra minutes to fix yourself something more filing is worth loosing those few minutes of sleep. Since many of us don’t pay close attention to our eating habits, nutritionists recommend keeping a food journal. Documenting what, where and when you eat is a great way to gain insight into your patterns.If you find you overeat when stressed, it may be helpful to stop what you’re doing when the urge to eat arises, and to write down your feelings. By doing this, you may discover what’s really bothering you.

Overall, always keep on track with your mental health and really focus on how you're treating your body by your food intake and the amount of exercise you do. Studies about the “food-mood connection” have shown that people who don’t have a healthy diet were more likely to report symptoms of depression or other mental health issues. The best advice I can give is to give yourself the nutrients it needs in order to feel good and of course, look good!