Planning Ahead? Here's How To Stay Strong In Body & Soul In 2022
Remember to have wellness and health rituals as part of your New Year's Resolutions
Do you suspect you may have anxiety, mild depression, or other forms of mental health issues? You're definitely not alone, and 2022 may just be the year for you to act and improve your mental health.
Each year, one in five of us will experience mental illness. Mental health issues are usually sparked by a combination of causes such as genetics, trauma, or life stressors such as job loss or divorce.
As you embark on your school and career goal settings and New Year's resolutions for 2022, remember to have wellness and health rituals in place to stay well so that you can better cope in times of crisis. Here's what the experts recommend to stay strong:
Drinking six to eight glasses of water each day is crucial for healthy brain, heart and muscle function and boosts your energy levels.
"Start the day with two glasses of filtered water before having anything else and limit caffeine to two cups of tea or coffee. During the day focus on hydrating with water, herbal teas and veggie juices," says Jacqueline Alwill, accredited nutritional medicine practitioner and Remedy drinks ambassador.
In terms of uncertainty, something you can control is your daily routine.
"I strongly recommend [in tough times] that you try to get up at the same time every day, stay connected to your social group, and actively seek out positive news stories rather than getting bogged down in negative news," says Dr Tim Sharp, the founder and CHO (Chief Happiness Officer) of The Happiness Institute.
Daily practices #3 - Practise micro-recovery techniques
These are mini instant de-stressors such as walking away and deep breathing or going outside to be in nature for 10 minutes.
"These act as a 'stop-gap' or 'circuit breaker', turning off your stress response and switching you to [a] state of recovery," says Dr Jaime Lee, a medical doctor, public health specialist and corporate strategist from Health Quotient.
Exercise at least three times a week. As well as keeping you fit, exercise is also considered vital for maintaining mental fitness and it can reduce stress.
An ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) study has shown the effectiveness of exercise in reducing fatigue, improving concentration, elevating and stabilising mood and enhancing brain function.
"List out everything you've gotten done so far today, or this week, or even this year. Be specific and detailed. Take a moment to really appreciate everything that is on it. You're doing better than you think!" says Liza Kindred, author of Eff This! Meditation.
Monthly practices #1 - Do something you really love
Creating regular space for downtime can restore your focus and energy. It could be Sunday afternoon naps or seeing a live band.
"My idea of rest is either going to the movies or watching a movie, I LOVE the movies, it's my chill-out time, and I love the magic and theatre," says Lola Berry, nutritionist, author, yoga teacher.
Volunteering and philanthropy have been shown to have positive effects on your wellbeing, and social hobbies such as group hiking and book clubs can help alleviate loneliness. Both of these pastimes are recommended in a report on how to tackle millennial loneliness by social psychology website SocialPro.
Text: Bauer Syndication