Ok before we begin a disclaimer: I'm am not a health professional in any way, shape or form. I'm a person, just like you but I, like so many people have had struggles with mental health, after all, WE ALL STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH.
I'm serious, WE ALL STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH. At some point in your life, you will have had a struggle with your mind even if its been minor.
Mental health is not just about those people who struggle on a regular basis with mental health, it's about everyone looking after their minds.
MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT TO US ALL BECAUSE IT AFFECTS US ALL
I am a firm believer in looking after my mind every day and I want to share with you my best methods for looking after your mind every day.
If you think this doesn't apply to you, you're wrong! You are and I won't be told otherwise. Mental health applies to everyone and these methods for looking after your mind will help you regardless of your current mental state.
You can be the happiest person on the planet and mental health still applies! So let's dive in with my best methods to look after your mind daily.
I'm also going to mention some amazing apps that you can use to help you manage your mental wellbeing.
Your Daily Routine:
The audience who are likely to read this post is in the transport and logistics industry and predominantly male, however, this does apply to all genders! The reason I point this out is that men are more likely to search for a quick answer than read the full article, it's a fact. To make it easier for I've created a bullet point list below, afterwards, I'll explain WHY you should do each item on the list and give you an app to use to help you.
Every day without fail, complete this routine. You may wish you change the order to suit, what's important is that you actually do it every day.
When your alarm goes off GET UP without hesitation. I seriously mean JUMP OUT OF BED
Get a shower and then turn the water to COLD for at least 30 seconds
Eat breakfast - anything, even if its a banana. Get something inside you.
Take a magnesium supplement (some people prefer to take this with their evening meal and that's fine, just make sure you take it daily)
Workout - for 30 mins. Try Yoga - it's great for everyone, young or old, fit or with limited mobility. Seriously try Yoga, your mind and body will thank you for it.
Meditate - No I don't want to sit chanting. Honestly just a simple meditation (even if you think you can't. I'm going to tell you how below)
Write down 3 things you're grateful for. It can be anything and I mean anything. I wrote in mine this morning that I'm grateful I found a pen that works! (honestly, this re-trains the mind to think positive, it's not just a fad, internet thing)
Go and do the thing you don't feel like doing
Eat a Mediterranean diet - no processed crap, no fast food. This will change your life.
Get a good nights sleep (easier said than done I know)
Stop smoking - it's been proven that people who smoke are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.
Cut down on the booze. Again its been proven that you're more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression and have to experienced hangxiety, OMG it's awful!
So you're thinking I'm nuts, you don't have time for this, well you're wrong! You DO HAVE TIME because all of these things take just a few minutes and you need to make time.
MAKE TIME TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELF. NOBODY ELSE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR MIND BUT YOU.
Here's why you should do it and the apps to help you.
Why you should follow my routine.
Our cortisol levels (stress hormone) are at their highest levels in the morning. Jumping out of bed and getting a cold shower help shake off and reduce the levels of cortisol and adrenaline pumping through our bodies. Ultimately it will make you feel more relaxed.
Eating breakfast is the healthiest way to start the day, I'm not talking about a fry up in fact talking of fry ups you should avoid processed meats like bacon and sausage. They're full of crap and will cause inflammation in the body which has been proven to be linked to depression and anxiety.
Sticking with the food theme its also been proven that eating a Mediterranian diet helps with anxiety and depression so pretend you're on a permanent holiday and treat yourself you a delicious diet of healthy food like fish, white meats, vegetables and wholemeals. Basically cut out the crap, cut out processed foods especially meats and eat healthier.
You will lose weight, you'll feel much better and your body will thank you for it. Cutting inflammation in the body is also cutting the risk of anxiety and depression!
YOU WANT THINGS TO CHANGE THEN IT REQUIRES WORK FROM YOU
Why bother with magnesium. Magnesium is a muscle relaxer and will help your muscles to relax and aid you in getting a good nights sleep. Check how to much you should take with the manufacturer and take a supplement every day.
Studies have shown that people who are deficient in magnesium are more likely to be anxious and depressed. Nobody wants that so do what you can to avoid it.
Good ole' meditation, people instantly think hippy shit but no it's not that at all. Meditation is taking a few minutes every day to just switch off. To clear the mind of thoughts and totally relax.
Meditation is for everyone and anyone can do it, it's not going into some trance, it's simply sitting quietly. I have an amazing app that I use daily to help with meditation listed below.
Sleep baby. You will sleep a lot better if you do everything on the list anyway but sometimes insomnia kicks in and we battle with ourselves. I have a great app which can help you with this. Sleep is SO IMPORTANT, make it a priority. Turn off that rubbish film, put down your phone and relax.
Smoking and drinking. It's an obvious one, do yourself a favour and STOP. Ok drink in moderation if you must but smoking NO, NO. Throw your fags away right now!
Ok here are the apps I use every day! Honestly, these apps are amazing and have changed my life. I've linked to them all. You can download them in the app store. All have lots of free resources
Headspace - for meditation, workouts anyone can do and to help with sleep.
DARE Response - the best app on the planet in my opinion. A MUST IF YOU HAVE ANXIETY of any kind. This app will change your life, I can't bang on enough about it. It's life-changing.
Flow - Reframe and overcome depression, this app will help you get out of the rut.
Gratitude! - A quick and easy way to record your 3 daily gratitudes and you can password it and look back every day to remind yourself and re-train your mind.
GG Self Esteem - Beleive in yourself and build your self-esteem. This one is so simple and so effective.
Daily Yoga - my go-to yoga app. Do it every day for lifelong results.
Now this is really important...
WE CAN RETRAIN OUR MINDS - FACT! BUT WE HAVE TO PUT WORK IN EVERYDAY TO DO IT.
YOU CAN DO IT
YOU ARE YOUR OWN SAFE PERSON
WHAT YOUR FEELING IS JUST THAT, A FEELING
A THOUGHT IS JUST A THOUGHT
I hope that on this #WorldMentalHealthDay this blog helps you. I know these things helped me.
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