5 Ways to Boost to Your Mental Health
During these unprecedented times, we all might have times where we are overly anxious. Our go-to ways of boosting our moods may be off the table right now. Meeting up with friends, going to the gym, relaxing at the beach in Destin, shopping at the outlet mall – these are on hold until Covid-19 slows down. Does that mean we’re just stuck at home with hearts racing worrying about the future? We’ve got some tips to help you get some relief without prescriptions or even leaving the neighborhood.
Be active – How active can you be at home? There are countless videos online of online workouts you can do for FREE in your living room. Practice some yoga which will help calm you. Or do a Zumba workout and have fun dancing. If you have a gym membership, many gyms are offering online classes you can do from home. If you have kids at home, chase them around the house, they’ll love it! Exercise is a great way to burn off anxious energy.
Time block – Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed with all you have to do. If you’re working from home, plan a time management strategy each night for the next day. When you don’t have a plan, you can get more anxious not knowing where to start. Some people might enjoy renovating and gardening and all kinds of home projects but that’s not for everyone. Have a list visible for your priorities and don’t get too pressured to do more than you need.
Watch your diet – Comfort food can be you go-to when you’re feeling down. There’s nothing wrong with eating and drinking what you enjoy. There are some things, however, that can affect and even increase your anxiety. You know that feeling after drinking espresso where your heart is racing and you feel like you can run a marathon? Well, when you’re already feeling nervous, caffeine can increase your jitters. Alcohol is another thing that can increase your anxiety. At first, a glass of wine might calm your nerves but two or three glasses can definitely do the opposite. Too much sugar or dehydration can also affect your moods.
Get enough sleep – Have you head of good sleep hygiene? It’s not just getting 8 hours of sleep. You can develop good sleep hygiene that will help make your sleep more restful. Avoid caffeine late at night. Caffeine is a stimulant and can keep you awake hours after consuming it. Spicy foods or heavy meals before bed can result in indigestion which will also disrupt sleep. Avoid screen time in bed. The glow of a phone or television can make your mind too active to fall asleep. Try some meditation or reading a book to unwind.
Get outside – Most people can at least sit on their porch or pull up a chair in the yard even if we can’t go to the beach. Fresh air and warm sunshine can do a lot for your mood. It can get stuffy inside day in and day out so don’t forget to step out for some Vitamin D. Plan a backyard picnic or grill dinner outside. Set up a hammock and enjoy a nice breeze. If you’re able to get around the neighborhood, take a bike ride or walk the dogs. 30A has bike paths and walking trails to take advantage of while still social distancing. A change of scenery can be nice for everyone.
Whether we’re in the middle of a pandemic or not, many of us get anxious at times. These are good reminders to have on hand so that everyday we feel our best. Until your next Destin vacation when you can truly relax, save this article to give yourself a nice healthy boost.
Published on Friday, April 10, 2020