Most, if not all of us, have been through a lot this past year. The pandemic brought about events that threatened our very existence and drastically changed the way we ordinarily lived our lives. But despite all the negative stimuli, 2020 has taught us to slow down, appreciate the people around us and value the time we spend with them, focus on our well being and on things that truly matter.
There are no guarantees as to what the new year brings, but nurturing the apprehension doesn’t do anyone good. We might as well do activities that could bring us contentment and happiness and make it a better year for ourselves and possibly, for the others too.
Exercise. Having a regular physical regimen helps boost your self-esteem and level of happiness, reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. You do not have to commit yourself to something strenuous, the point here is to have fun and indulge yourself with some physical activity. Suit up and set the mood with your Silouex Active Wear or Silouex High-Waisted Compression Leggings for some brisk walking around the neighborhood after breakfast or dinner or some light yoga or tai chi in your living room any time of the day.
Eat healthy. Studies show that eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean, unprocessed protein bears a huge impact on our physical and mental health. Eating an unhealthy diet of high trans fat, sugar, and processed and refined food raises the risk of depression because it deprives us of the nutrients that we need. Also, a bad diet breeds bad bacteria in our stomach which affects our mental and physical health.
Meditate. Meditating 15 to 20 minutes a day induces the brain to release GABA, an anti-anxiety chemical. Meditating increases self-awareness and your surroundings, gives you a positive mood and a better outlook, and a host of other advantages. Beauty radiates from within and positively affects the people around you.
Get enough sleep. It’s no secret that when you don’t get enough sleep, your brain cannot function properly. Inadequate sleep increases the risk of developing diseases and inhibits the hippocampus (the seat of pleasant and neutral memories in the brain) from working properly. When this happens, our ability to recall positive memories is diminished and we tend to remember more negative memories. Good sleep improves concentration and productivity and improves immunity. Getting enough sleep also improves the quality of your skin.
Read. It keeps your mind stimulated and focused. Reading lowers stress and transports you somewhere else without having to step outside.
There are a million ways you can do to find contentment and happiness despite having to distance yourself socially from the others, and wear a mask not to hide your face, but to protect not just you, but the people around you. Everything is in the mind set. Looking at things more positively improves your perception of the circumstances and makes you feel better.