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Smart and Simple Self-Care Practices That Boost Mental Health
Are you looking for easy self-care methods that help you feel better? Some of the best answers for solving that puzzle are surprisingly simple. Here are some uncomplicated self-care practices that can provide tremendous returns.
De-stress by decluttering
Chances are you have heard plenty about clutter, between home shows and blog posts. And in some ways, you’re probably well aware of how clutter bogs you down. Those days when a bill you need is at the bottom of a pile of paperwork, your daughter can’t find her homework, and your son doesn’t seem to own two socks that match, it’s frustrating, and can even keep you from being timely and productive.
Beyond those isolated incidences, you might be surprised to find out clutter can actually get in the way of your mental health. Clutter appears to be linked with rising levels of stress, and can make you feel bad about your home and your life. With a well-chosen method, you can create a serene, stress-free home environment. Pick out a place in your home, decide how you want to go about things, and for best results, plan to clean as you go. Seeing your home sparkle can be a major incentive for staying inspired!
Decluttering can be time-consuming, so why not give yourself a head start? Have your house cleaned from top to bottom so you’ll have a fresh space to work in without the cleaning portion to slow you down. The average price to clean a home interior in Chattanooga typically runs between $120 and $235. It’s a reasonable investment in your mental well-being, and with a big chunk of work to complete, you’ll feel that much more motivated.
Enjoy the advantages of yoga
Many people think of yoga as an opportunity to improve physical fitness, but that’s just one way yoga can enhance your self-care regimen. Newsweek explains there are a number of mental health benefits from yoga as well. It appears to be an effective method for reducing depression, lowering anxiety levels, and can even help treat issues like eating disorders, PTSD, and schizophrenia. Getting started is easy, as there are classes and poses appropriate for all age groups and abilities. You can even set up a space at home to practice, which can help fill in gaps when you can’t attend a class. It’s a great way to take advantage of your clear, uncluttered home environment! We actually have a 5 day HIT Yoga challenge that is CRAZY intense and awesome that’s free if you’re wanting to combine the benefits of strength training and mental health wellness found in yoga. We also have full length yoga classes that are live streamed from our studio on the Thrive YouTube Channel, so if you’re not quite ready for the High Intensity stuff, be sure to like and subscribe to the channel to see all our offerings!
Snooze away your troubles
Sleep sometimes gets a bad rap. We think of it as a lazy, unproductive way to spend time, but the truth is, sleep is pretty important. In fact, some research indicates sleep and mental health are connected. Without enough sleep, you are more apt to suffer from depression and anxiety, your work and personal performance can suffer, and when you do sleep, you’re more likely to have nightmares.
If you struggle with sleep, Healthline has some simple suggestions to improve your sleep habits. Make sure you’re exposed to bright light during the day, and cut your exposure to blue light from electronics in the evening. Avoid caffeine late in the day, steer clear of eating close to bedtime, and go to bed and get up at the same time each day.
To enhance your sleep, try keeping your sleep environment quiet and cool, aiming for a room temperature between 60 and 67 degrees. Also consider adding a routine to your evening to help prepare you for sleep. For instance, bedtime meditation can encourage your mind and body to unwind. Journaling can help you organize and settle your nighttime thoughts, and a nightly skin care routine can help you feel good about yourself. Of course, there’s also supplementing with CBD which you can get right here in the studio or online! With the E. Brainerd area’s largest selection of high quality, 3rd party tested CBD, you’re sure to find the product that is best for you and at a price point you can afford.
Do some things to soothe and relax you, and counting sheep will be a thing of the past.
When looking for things to improve your life, sometimes smart and simple are the way to go. Better sleep, yoga, and an uncluttered home can help you feel your best. It’s a self-care regimen that’s easy and effective, and you can reap big benefits.
This post was written by Jason Lewis of Strongwell.org. jlewis@strongwell.org