This article is written by Stella Thompson Green.
When you are dealing with chronic illness, an unhealthy lifestyle can gradually erode your strength as well as overall wellbeing.
A poor diet, chronic stress, irregular sleeping patterns and inadequate exercise can lead to physical, mental and emotional difficulties over the course of time. Investing time and effort in changing your habits for the better is worth the trouble. A more balanced approach to living pays off in healing our bodies, balancing our minds and soothing our emotions.
Adopting healthy habits can make you feel more energetic and in balance with yourself. Follow the simple practices listed below in order to relieve stress and boost your mood.
1. Improve your eating habits
Incorporating more veggies, fruits, nuts, legumes, and whole-grain products provide our bodies with much-needed vitamins, minerals and other useful nutrients they need in order to work properly. Whole foods also provide us with antioxidants that help remove dangerous free radicals from the bloodstream.
It is not always easy to keep up with a healthy eating routine and include a wide variety of foods to your menu, but there are some tips and tricks to help you effortlessly have a more balanced diet. For optimal vitality, try to eat more fresh foods. Eliminate highly processed, frozen, canned and microwaved items as they can harm your health.
2. Stay active
To improve your energy levels and endurance, make a conscious effort to exercise. There is a widespread prejudice that workouts have to be strenuous or tedious to be effective and beneficial. This common outlook on exercise deters lots of people from taking action. Choose an activity that is fun for you and that is not too difficult.
Setting realistic goals might help with staying motivated. Taking regular long walks in the woods, or through beautiful landscapes is just what your body and mind need. Also, it is scientifically proven that being in nature can benefit health and wellbeing.
Exercise should be a permanent part of your life, especially if you are dealing with some health issues. Being active on a regular basis can help improve your health, manage symptoms and make it easier to do daily activities.
3. Brew a stress-busting herbal tea
Natural remedies are a great option when searching for ways to calm your mind and lift energy levels. Preparing and drinking tea can be a powerful ally in managing stress and anxiety. This revitalizing ritual can grant you some peace of mind.
Some teas have a neutralizing effect on anxiety. Also, this beverage is an awesome replacement for coffee since it has lower doses of caffeine but can still kickstart your morning. The most beneficial types of tea for improving your health include ginger, chamomile, lavender and rosehip tea. Tea can be particularly helpful for managing insomnia.
4. Nurture genuine relationships
Human beings are highly social creatures by nature. Love, compassion and genuine relationships are our soul food. Spend as much time possible with your loved ones and people that make you laugh and feel good. Authentic human connections ward off loneliness, isolation, and depression.
Some studies indicate that the effect of poor social connections on mortality risk exceeds other well-known factors such as obesity or smoking. Social support helps in better dealing with stress.
To enhance your social connectedness try volunteering, joining a club, adopting a pet or taking a class at a local recreation center.
5. Practice relaxation techniques
There is a wide range of techniques and activities to relax and help yourself unwind from the stress and worries. Yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques can have a huge impact on restoring your inner peace and wellbeing. Practicing yoga and Tai chi can help you enhance flexibility and achieve mental focus.
Living with a chronic illness can be challenging and mental issues such as health-related anxiety or depression are not uncommon in these cases. According to research, mindfulness meditation might be useful in battling anxiety, depression, and pain.
Guided imagery (also known as visualization and guided meditation) is a form of meditation and a powerful technique. It is known for its stress-reducing effect and an overall positive impact on health.
6. Self-care rituals to boost your wellbeing
A few quiet moments during a busy day can help restore your inner balance.
Aromatherapy can be a great way to pamper yourself. Try adding a few drops of essential oils like citrus, cinnamon or bergamot to your bath and enjoy. Fragrances can help you focus. Minty scent of eucalyptus is known to sharpen the senses while lavender can slow down the sympathetic nervous system, also known as the stress center. If oils aren’t your cup of tea, scented candles might do the trick. A pleasant scent can help you relax.
Music is known to affect our mood and energy levels. Create a playlist that helps you achieve inner calm. Soft and dreamy music can set the right tone and help you eliminate stress.
By incorporating these simple practices into your daily routine, you can restore your body, mind, and spirit to optimal health. Embracing stress-busting techniques might take some time, so be patient and persevere. The benefits will surely come. Even a few minutes per day can make a big difference.
Author bio: Stella is a graphic designer and illustrator, a lifestyle blogger and a food enthusiast. She is very passionate about the environment and she loves giving tips about healthy lifestyle and self-development. She is a contributor to several health and lifestyle blogs, such as Finer Minds, Blog Sivana Spirit, Carousel, Bad Yogi, Art of Healthy Living and many more. You can find more about her writing by following her on Twitter.
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