Taking care of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally is crucial to a sound state of mind – here are some easy actions for daily wellbeing.
Words: David Wiener, training specialist at AI-based fitness and lifestyle coaching app Freeletics
Volunteering
Volunteering allows you to take your mind off your problems and put your energy and concentration on something, or someone, who needs help.
It can also increase your motivation and create a sense of achievement, which can improve your mood. If you are feeling alone, volunteering can help with making new friends and place you within a community.
Volunteering can also help you to feel grateful for the little things in your life you may have taken for granted.
Gardening
Gardening can be a relaxing activity that increases your mental and emotional wellbeing. It can help with depression, and reduce your anxiety and stress levels.
Gardening has also been shown to increase quality of life and decrease mood disorders, and it may also allow you to connect with nature and help you concentrate on something positive – focusing your mind to help with negative feelings.
The physical nature of gardening releases serotonin and dopamine, and it exposes you to natural sunlight and large amounts of vitamin D.
Sleep
Proper sleep will have an enormous impact on how you feel emotionally, physically and mentally.
Lack of sleep can seriously affect your mood. It has been proven that people who are sleep deprived are more likely to feel aggravated, annoyed and unhappy. So getting a sufficient amount of shut-eye is vital to taking proper care of yourself.
Yoga and Meditation
Practising yoga can help to clear the mind and introduces a level of calmness into your life.
Meditation is less physical, but equally beneficial. It enables you to take a second alone with your feelings and thoughts to find inner peace and positivity within yourself. Meditation is a great way clear your mind and alleviate negative thoughts, feelings or stresses.
Exercise and the Great Outdoors
Exercising can improve your mental and physical health, boosting your mood and decreasing stress and anxiety via the release of endorphins.
Changing your environment can boost your mood, too, and fresh air can help you think more clearly and gain a new, more positive perspective.
Freeletics are now offering a free mindfulness course within its app. Freeletics Mindset is a unique programme which combines fitness training with mindfulness and mindset training to help you achieve sustainable and long-term results.
