Sometimes I get stressed about little and not so little things in my life. I stress about what I eat and that I need to lose weight. I think, are my kids doing well in school and am I a good mother? I wonder if my kids will be successful and if my husband is happy. Too much stress is not good for a person physically and mentally.
A healthy life is a good balance between mental and physical health. Often we put so much emphasis on the physical we forget about the mental but today lets talk BOTH! Since they are both so important to us as a well balanced individual.
4 Tips for a Healthy Mental You
- Take 10 minutes a day to decompress with no kids or significant other bothering you. Think about the things that made you happy that day. Think about the positive instead of the negative.
- Write down your frustrations and the things that bother you. There is no need to share your list or thoughts with others but often writing them helps us release some of the built up tension around them.
- Get some sleep, we all hear it again and again and we think we can function on less sleep but our minds function better on a good nights rest.
- Set aside some time to do what you want and not what you need whether it be reading, baking, gardening, or just relaxing in a bubble bath. Make sure everyone knows this is “your” time and to respect your wishes.
4 Tips for a Healthy Physical You
- Any exercise is better than no exercise. I make it a point to tighten my stomach muscles when I’m walking (since I’m at a desk job). Do squats or lunges for 5 minutes before you start dinner or before you get ready in the morning.
- Cut out soda and instead drink water.
- Don’t skip breakfast. The old adage “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is true. Your body needs the fuel to get you through the day.
- Incorporate your family and take a walk together or play something together in the yard like basketball or anything to get you moving.
This is a great way to include the kids in your exercise routine.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of AETNA®. The opinions and text are all mine