Boost Mental Wellness

Let’s make the most of the fresh slate that comes with welcoming a new year to focus on staying healthy in the new year.

Here are some tips to boost your mental and physical health year-round:

Being more physically active can have a positive impact on your mental health and the way your body feels. Studies have found that there is a direct link between physical and emotional health.

Here are some fun ways you can increase your level of exercise while being at home or practicing social distancing.  

• Take 10 minutes during your workday to get up and stretch.  
• Go on social distance walks or jogs around your neighborhood to get the blood flowing.
• 20 minutes of sunlight can help your mood, concentration and sleep.
• Get creative! You don’t need fancy gym equipment to get in shape. You can use many items around your house as weights or even dive into any of the many online at-home workouts!

‍In addition to staying physically healthy, caring for your mental health is also important. Don't forget to give your eyes and your mind a break.

• Studies have found that surfing the web before bed can have a negative impact on a good night’s rest. Put your phone away an hour before going to bed, so you can wind down and focus on getting a good night’s sleep.
• Wake up a couple of minutes earlier than everyone in your house and use that time alone to meditate, journal or stretch.  
• It safe to say we might put a lot of pressure on ourselves in the new year to be more productive. While that is a good thing, it can lead us to burn out early on during the year. Establish a healthy work routine that allows you to finish your workday at a reasonable time.  
• Don’t fall into the pattern of scrolling mindlessly through all your social platforms for hours. Keeping your use down to just 30 minutes a day can lead to better mental health outcomes.  

‍Set time aside to connect virtually with family and friends or new people.

This year don’t let the barrier of not physically being able to get together keep you from reaching out to friends and family.

• Schedule quality time with family members via Zoom or FaceTime.
• Join forums or social media groups of things you are interested in to make conversation with others about things you like.
• Take a virtual class to learn something new and connect with peers.

‍Pick up a new hobby or play new games.

If you find yourself bored at home, try keeping your mind active with fun and productive activities. Here are some ideas:

• Learn an instrument! Studies have shown that playing an instrument benefits the brain and it’s basically a full body workout for it.
• Pick up painting, try a daily crossword, or doing puzzles.
• Playing new games can help with depression, especially as we get older.