When it comes to health and wellbeing, nobody is in a better position to know what you need but you. For this reason, it’s your responsibility to look after yourself and meet your needs the best that you can. It can be hard, especially if you’re the type of person who put your needs last. However, this is a subject that must be addressed if you want to enjoy a long and healthy life. If you aren’t used to looking after yourself, you may feel overwhelmed and not have a clue of where to start.
If this is the case for you, here are 6 ways that you can take care of your mind and body.
Find a Hobby
If you want to look after your mind and health, find a hobby that you enjoy. If you have a hobby already, you probably know how therapeutic it can be to lose yourself in something that makes you happy after a long day. A hobby to think about trying is hiking. Not only is this good for your mind but it gives your body the physical activity it needs as well. Hiking is also free to pick up as all you’ll need is a pair of hiking boots and the appropriate clothing for the climate you’ll be in.
Aside from hiking, perhaps think about walking, biking or getting artsy. Remember, hobbies aren’t about being the best at whatever you choose. It’s more about doing something you love and makes you feel good.
Practice Self Care
These days, self-care is becoming an increasingly popular phrase. In case you aren’t sure exactly what it is, self-care is defined as an activity you do to take care of not only your mental and emotional health but your physical health as well. It actually isn’t as complex as it may seem and is simply focused on looking after yourself. You should think about what your needs are and times you feel at your best mentally, emotionally and physically. If you feel you can conquer the world right after a massage, then do more of that. On the other hand, if you feel you’re on the verge of a mental breakdown after working 12 hours straight, find a way to reduce your workload.
Play Sports
Another way that you can take care of your mind and body is by learning to play a new sport. Playing one can be therapeutic and as you likely know, it’s also good for your health. There are plenty of options out there in terms of the types of sports you can play. This means even if you aren’t a sports person, you may find at least one you enjoy. Here are a few to consider below.
Golf – Although some people argue that golf isn’t a sport in many ways, it can be classified as one. Either way, it’s something that can keep your body moving and also help you clear your head. If you’ve never played before, invest in hybrid golf clubs for maximum distance and accuracy while you’re playing. Other equipment you may need are balls, markers, and a bag.
Tennis – If you enjoy a little friendly competition, consider playing tennis as well. Did you know the benefits of playing tennis include helping improve your cardiovascular health, improving brain development, and building your muscles too? You can find a friend to play with and you only need a rack and a few balls.
Swimming – You, don’t need to be an Olympic swimmer to try the sport of swimming. It’s immensely good for your health and can be rather relaxing as well. Swimming keeps your heart rate up, builds endurance, and helps you maintain a healthy heart and lungs too.
Learn About Health
When people go on about organic food, carbs, and calories, it may go in one ear and out the other. However, if you take the time out to learn about your health on your own, you might find that you’re more inspired to take control of yours and make healthy living a lifestyle.
There are endless resources that you can use to learn about your health such as ones provided by health care professionals, books, and credible health blogs. Also, knowing enough about your personal health could help on your journey too. Some basics you should know are your blood type, preferred exercises, family health history, food sensitivities and what calms you down when you’re stressed.
Keep a Journal
One of the best things you can do for your mental and emotional health is learn to get things off of your chest. Bottling things inside and allowing a build-up of emotions can lead to a series of health issues. Buy yourself a journal and write in it every day, even if you throw what you’ve written away later. The goal should be to express yourself freely and be more conscious of your thoughts instead of burying them to avoid conditions like depression and anxiety.
If you prefer talking about things, have a friend who you vent to regularly and see how that helps.
Volunteer
Sometimes, all you need to improve your wellbeing is a dose of gratitude and to help those around you. For this reason, you should seriously think about volunteering and giving back to your community or environment.
There are so many organizations that need an extra hand even if it’s something as simple as helping organize an event once a year. Find a cause that you believe in and see how you can give back in time as that gives you the chance to physically connect with people. Don’t forget that volunteering can also help your mental health, make you feel more fulfilled, and bring you a sense of satisfaction.
Looking after yourself isn’t something that should be optional as the quality of your life depends on it. Try and fit self-care and managing your health into your daily schedule no matter how busy your life gets. By doing so, your days should be far brighter, and you should find yourself on the happier side of life.
