8 healthy habits for mind and body

Life has thrown some major curveballs. We’ve been thrown off balance. Sometimes, it can feel like things are spiraling downward. We’re faced with uncertainty and panic. Today, I want to share 8 healthy habits to support your mind and body. I hope these tips become a source of inspiration.

Notice your surroundings.

First, give your mind a pause from overthinking. Much of our mind is clouded with thoughts about the past and future. What has already happen or could happen. Take off the edge, give your mind a break. Let your mind chill, focus on the present. Be present, in all aspects of your senses. For example, I’m aware of sitting on the couch, embracing the comfort, resting my head back on my pillow, and honestly listening to the wind blowing. Surprisingly, it’s relaxing. By the angle of my position, I can look up in the sky and see birds flying. All in all take in the details of my surroundings. Follow your senses.

Embrace Nature

Try to get to nature in some way. If possible, take a walk around the neighborhood. Breathe in the fresh air. Observe the trees and the birds. It’s raining where I live, so I am listening to the rain tapping at the window. It’s very relaxing. Open the windows in your home. Let the breeze flow inside. I’ve noticed spring is coming into bloom. There’s a tree outside with beautiful pink flowers on it. I listen to the birds chirping and watch the squirrels running around. These are things we would not have noticed before. Life maybe in a disarray momentarily, but nature is still changing and growing. Look at all the beauty surrounding you.

Encouraging words

I love to read. I have plenty of time to do it now. Search for encouraging words or scriptures to fill your mind with positive inspiration. Something to lift your spirits. Write down some of your favorites and post them around the house. Strategically, post them so you could see them on a consistent basis.

Here are some of my favorites:

Psalms 91

“Every moment is exactly as it should be”

“Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

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I would love to hear from you. Leave in the comment section below, some of your favorite quotes or phrases. Lets encourage each other.

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Gratitude

Lets talk about gratitude. I’d started this practice at the beginning of 2020. List 3 things I’m grateful for, even the simplest acts. This will help to shift your perspective from scarcity, worry, and lack to abundance of happiness. We can look at what we do have. Keep a journal or a list handy. It’s a great way to refer back to whenever you feel the pressure of anxiety or stress. Reading through them reassures your how good life is despite the problems in the world. I’d even say to share it with friends or family. It will help support your emotional wellbeing, too.

Slow down, Breathe

Sometimes, without realizing it, we have shallow breathing. This happens when we are in a state of stress and anxiety. You might even notice physical discomfort due to the overwhelming stress. Slow down, be still, and pay attention to your breathing. Become more aware of how you’re breathing. A simple way to adjust, I find that laying down on my back or sit criss cross on my yoga mat and focus on my breathing. Place one hand on your stomach and the other hand over your heart. Feel the rise and fall of your chest and stomach as you breathe in and out. This is so relaxing, because you’re bringing all of your awareness to your breathing and body movements. Subtly, you’ll be able to clear your mind, slow down your breathing, and relax muscle tension.

Nourish your body

How you begin the day, will be key to how the rest of the day flows. I’ve recently started to do this. I will make tea, take my cup, and sit by the window. I savor every sip, the flavors and smell. Taking in the moment of peace. I love herbal teas. My favorite is peppermint. Helps relieve any headaches and supports digestive. Add any sweetener you like honey or agave, with a slice of lemon. Yummy! Overall, tea puts me in a peaceful state. Maybe add a bowl of fresh fruit or hot cereal, too. It’s a small gesture, its a sweet embrace. Emphasis this on a regular basis, give yourself a morning treat. Make sure to keep your phone asleep.

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Let me know in the comments below, what’s your favorite tea or morning beverage? Let’s share!

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Explore creative outlet

Find ways to express yourself. Use this time to explore different ways to be creative. I haven’t done this in years, but I actually sat down and colored, in a actual coloring book. No need for an app. It was so relaxing. You can do some of these other things like, write, maybe go back to writing poetry, take up journaling, sing, have a dance party, sew, paint, do some DIY projects (simple, nothing to difficult), bake, the list is endless. It is very therapeutic. Through creativity you can express different feelings, release pent up emotions and do it in a safe space. It will help to release the pressure and tension from the day.

Kindness

This is one of my favorites on the list. Give yourself to others. A small gesture towards someone can make a huge difference for both the giver and receiver. A smile, kind words, phone call, and nice email. Light up someone else’s life. I miss giving hugs, but I find conversation is the best. Now, more than ever people need someone to talk, too. They need a prayer, encouragement, someone to notice them. We can be the light they need to pull them out of the dark. You don’t need fancy words to do that. Just be your genuine self. Show you care by your actions. It’s small, but can mean the world to someone else.

So, guys I hope these tips are helpful. This is a time to be more mindful of our mental and physical health. Its so easy to get caught up in the news. It is important to stay up to date with current events. But sometimes, we need to give ourselves a break and redirect our focus on something positive. We can get through this together.

If you have other tips or suggestion, please do share in the comments below. Let’s continue to support each other.

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