When we talk about things like wellness and stress, it’s easy to get vague and say nothing at all. We all know that we want to feel good, and we all know that stressing out is bad, but we don’t necessarily know what to do about things like that terrible feeling that we get when we’re running late or when we’re up too late and just can’t sleep. There are plenty of self-help books, wellness-branded products, and other things out there that purport to help, but far too many of those things turn out to be nonsense. It’s easy, then, for us to shrug all of this off and keep working too hard, eating poorly, and feeling stressed out.
The idea that stress hurts our overall well-being is not nonsense, nor is the concept that our mental health and physical health are connected, which is what we should mean when we talk about overall wellness. Stress makes us sick and shortens our lifespans. Poor sleep, poor diet, and other physical decisions and afflictions can exacerbate mental health issues like depression and the aforementioned stress. If we want to make ourselves healthier and our lives better, we need to take wellness and stress reduction seriously. Here are a few ways to do just that.
Take a vacation
Stress and work tend to go hand in hand. And, if you’re like most Americans, you are working too much.
Americans are notorious for working long hours and leaving vacation days on the table. But if you don’t find a better kind of work-life balance, you’re going to continue feeling awful both physically and mentally. By contrast, taking a vacation is good for both your mental and physical health. Plus, it can make you more productive at work.
And if you get active on vacation, taking mountain hikes or advanced surfing lessons, your time off can be of even more benefit.
Get moving
It is recommended that individuals get at least thirty minutes of exercise per day, but most Americans are falling short on this. This could be, in part, why you may be feeling down. Physical exercise is key to your physical health, of course, but exercising also releases endorphins, which will elevate your mood. Exercise can improve your mood even when you’re not actually enjoying the workout. Plus, being physically healthy will make you happier. Who among us doesn’t feel a little brighter when our bodies feel strong and our old college clothes fit again? It’s no wonder that, over the long term, exercise can give us a huge mental health boost.
Sleep well by sleeping regularly
If you’re not sleeping well, you’re going to see a whole bunch of problems with your physical and mental health. Lack of sleep makes us irritable, unproductive, and more prone to mistakes or rash emotional reactions.
The best way to get great sleep is to make sure that your sleep patterns are regular. By going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every day, you can achieve more consistent and more restful sleep.
Take CBD
There are a lot of options for treating stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues, but not all of them require a trip to the doctor (though we do recommend that you visit a mental health professional to address any mental health needs). A good diet can help your mental health enormously, and so, according to many studies, can CBD.
Before trying a new CBD brand, make sure you look up reviews on platforms such as The CBD Insider to help you understand the full effect of the product and whether it is worth your money.
CBD is derived from the drug marijuana, but CBD won’t get you high. Instead, experts believe, it will simply reduce your stress levels and make you feel more calm and relaxed.