More people than ever are becoming aware of the need to take care of their emotional as well as their physical health, and are taking an overall, holistic approach to their entire wellbeing, and not just parts of it. After all, what’s the point of having a perfect body if your mind is a mess?
But while we all know how to get the body of our dreams — even if we don’t always have the time and inclination to head down to the gym and work on it – emotional wellness can oftentimes be an elusive concept. Sure, we’ve all heard the buzzwords du jour – “mindfulness” being one of the most thrashed-around today. But what exactly are these methods, how do you use them, and what can you expect during such supposedly beneficial processes?
Slowing down to Boost Emotional Health
No one needs reminding about the frenetic pace of modern life, with the many work, family and other demands, stresses and pressures placed on people leaving them frazzled, their minds racing and with little time for anything other than just keeping going and staying on track. But slowing down – at least in your head – is incredibly important for staying mentally healthy and appreciating all the people, things, and situations around you.
It can be as simple as just listening to yourself and what your thoughts are as you go through the day – and being aware of your emotions and the ways you react to people and the places you’re in. If something at home or work is making you feel frustrated, for instance, instead of putting up with it and battling through, try to figure out where the source of your frustration, or even anger, is. – is it you, someone else, a situation you could improve by doing something? Listen to yourself and work it out. This way, you’ll be in a good position to remedy troubles and blocks that come your way.
One way many people today are slowing down, or calming their racing minds, is by using one or more of the multitude of meditation or mindfulness apps you can use just about anywhere. Many of them have quick and simple meditation sessions you can use to take a break from any stressful situation you find yourself in. They aim to help you center your focus while also opening your mind up to the reality that you are a living, breathing being who deserves happiness and to reach your absolute full potential.
Working on Our Workouts
And what about our physical wellness in this hyperconnected, money-obsessed world where many of us feel we have to work ourselves into the ground in the pursuit of monetary greatness? For starters, you don’t have to take out an expensive gym membership and spend countless hours whipping yourself into shape. Instead, you can use a simple at-home gym – using just bodyweight workouts – or even bring things like resistance bands to work, so that you can get in some exercises during your breaks.
In an era when many of us are also desperately trying to shift the pounds, we can make wise choices, like walking or cycling to work instead of taking a vehicle (better for the environment too). Or, we can opt to eat a “clean” diet consisting of whole foods hardly touched by modern processing methods – and trying things like protein shakes, which can help to keep you full and gain muscle while at the same time helping you to lose weight.
A healthy body and a healthy mind really do equal optimal wellness and enhanced living – and it’s not all that hard to have both.