There are many
challenges to being a high-powered entrepreneur or professional in the modern
economy, but there’s one that towers above the rest in the terms of its
negative impact on physical and mental well-being: stress. You’ve likely struggled with it at work and
afterward.
While a
holiday would do wonders, it’s hardly an option except for a few times a year
at best. Fortunately, there are self-care tactics you can practice every day to
get the relief you need, and they’ll make you happier, healthier, and more
confident to boot. Here are a few suggestions.
Go Outdoors
If you spend a
few an hour in the park on your lunch break, what happens? You enjoy the
sunshine while having a pleasant walk. Also, you become more relaxed as your stress levels drop and you develop
a sense of connection with your surroundings, according to ZME Science. The
effects are even greater if you go beyond the city to the coast or the
countryside, which is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Don’t Skip Exercise
It’s tempting
to cut that run or gym session out of your schedule, especially if you’ve got a
lot on your plate at the moment. Don’t do that as the positive effects of
physical activity far out way the negatives of spending a little time away from
your desk. It reduces stress while raising your energy levels and giving you a
helpful jolt of endorphins just when you need it. Moreover, scientific studies
show how your immune system gets a boost so you avoid getting
sidelined by a nasty cold when you need to be at your most productive. In fact,
when you incorporate exercise into your self-care regimen, you can also
boost your self-esteem and productivity.
Practice Meditation
There’s no
point in bringing your workaday worries home with you in the evening, as that’s
supposed to be your refuge of peace. Yet, that’s what happens often enough,
especially if you’re under pressure to meet an approaching deadline. Mindful
Minutes recommends a few minutes of rhythmic breathing soon after walking in the
door or even while in the car. It’ll clear your mind so you can get the rest
you need at the end of the day.
Take Up a Hobby
You were going
to do something enjoyable anyway, the question is what. Television is the
standard option, but there are much healthier options that would aid your
mental health as you develop a skill to take pride in. A writer with Odyssey
explains how learning the guitar delivered a
strong sense of discipline, patience, and responsibility. If music isn’t your
cup of tea, there’s also drawing, sewing,
dancing, chess, carpentry -- the list goes on.
Learn to Cook
Eating well is
fundamental to feeling good, and not just because it helps you stay fit and
trim. Numerous studies demonstrate how getting enough vitamins, minerals, lean
protein, and slow-release carbs promote higher energy, stable blood sugar
levels and a better mood overall. Meanwhile, mounting evidence suggests that
fast food leads to impatience, poor financial habits, and a greater likelihood
of falling into depression. The lesson
is simple: Learn to make your own meals with wholesome ingredients to maintain
a healthy diet.
Make Time for Friends and Family
Social relationships
have a remarkably positive effect on your mental health, and you ignore them at
your own peril. This can happen easily if you spend too much time at work or
bring it home with you by dwelling on tasks better left on your desk while you
spend quality time with your loved ones. Do the latter and you’ll notice a
major reduction in stress, which is also a natural result of having a chat with
an old friend over a cup of coffee.
The more you
engage in these activities, the more habitual they’ll become until they’re just
another part of your life and you don’t have to make time. When that day comes,
you’ll be at the top of your game, and that’s living right.
Image via Pixabay
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