January is Mental Wellness Month: Shift the Focus Back to You

It's appropriate that January is Mental Wellness Month. After all, what better way to start the new year, as well as recover from holiday travel and busyness with family, than with a reminder to recharge your own mental health?

Research shows your mental health has a significant impact on your physical health. Chronic conditions, like heart disease and obesity, increase the risk of depression and anxiety. The opposite is true as well. Good mental health can, with other factors, lower your risk of many serious diseases. Good mental health lowers your risk of getting sick. It boosts your daily energy and vibrancy.

So, how can you improve your mind-body connection? Here are some helpful tips below.

Establish Emotional Balance

Emotional or mental wellness doesn’t mean you always have to be happy. That’s not realistic. A part of being human is its beauty and interest. It is to experience and learn from all emotions – the ups and downs, the good and the bad. Emotional balance means being aware of your feelings. It’s about feeling those emotions rather than hiding them away.

Here’s how it works:

• Acknowledge body and emotional changes. Take a moment to notice that you are experiencing some emotion. You don’t have to identify it right away.

• Feel your feelings. Close your eyes and take a deep breath to help you identify your feelings. Do you have butterflies in your stomach? Do you feel a warm or glowing feeling inside?

• Name the emotion. Words have power. Say, "I feel anxious" or "I feel happy." This helps you respond with thoughtfulness, not react without awareness.

• Practice mindfulness. Being mindful can help you find emotional balance. Try meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises to stretch your mindful muscle. The more you practice, the easier it will become to notice and name your emotions.

Find Purpose

A purpose in life – whether it’s in work, service, hobby, or family – can help improve your mind-body connection. In fact, having a sense of purpose offers many benefits, including:

• Being happier;

• Living longer;

• Sleeping better;

• Improved heart health.

So, how can you find your purpose? It’s easier than you think. Below are a few examples:

• Explore your interests.

• Volunteering at local organizations is important to you.

• Consider what you love to do.

• Talk to friends and family.

• Try new experiences.

Having a purpose doesn’t mean you need to climb Mt. Everest or start a nonprofit. It means finding a passion or purpose that enhances your life. It allows you to focus on the things that matter most.

Keep Healthy Habits a Priority

Physical health and mental health connect. You have to take care of your body to take care of your mind. Here are a few healthy habits that should always be a priority:

• Eat healthy. A balanced diet with small changes and lots of fresh fruits and veggies is a great foundation for any diet.

• See your doctor. Wellness visits and preventive screenings ensure you stay healthy. Sick visits help you recover from illness or injury sooner.

• Sleep well. A good night’s sleep allows your body to rest and recharge, which enables proper functioning.

• Manage stress. Long-term stress takes a serious toll on your mental and physical health. Keep stress in check with some simple strategies.

  
  

Our mental health plays an important role in our physical health. Healthy habits make us all healthier, happier and stronger.