New Year, New You: Mentally AND Physically
Can you believe it is the new year?! The excitement of a new year can be shadowed by the increased work pressure, cold weather, short days and less sunlight.
Seasonal change can have effects on mental health, so make sure to check in with your mental health professional this time of year. Seasonal changes can have effects on your physical health as well. And your physical health can affect your mental health and vice-versa. For most of us, we need to address both.
If you experience stress or anxiety during this time of year, understand that it is common.
Let’s look at some ways to manage stress and start this new year off strong:
Go easy on yourself: Accept that you can’t do things perfectly, no matter how hard you try. And don’t forget to keep up your sense of humour. Laughter goes a long way.
Create SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Falling into the trap of making too many goals in the new year is unhealthy! You cannot do everything. Instead, create goals that are realistic per month, per quarter, or even per half the year. And make them achievable! Small goals are still big wins!
Focus on what you can Control: You can’t control everything in your life. But you can control your sleep, your eating, your hydration (water intake) and…your physical activity.
Eat, Hydrate and Sleep Well. Eating a regular, well-balanced diet will help you feel better in general. Avoid skipping meals. Stay hydrated! Lots of water helps with blood flow. Sleep a good 6 to 8 hours, and avoid screen time just before bed and upon waking up. A naturopathic doctor can often help you kick-start a good diet regiment.
Exercise: Exercise, especially resistance training, has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress. A holistic exercise program should include resistance training, cardiac training and flexibility/mobility. Start slow and build up. Speak with a physiotherapist or chiropractor if you have difficulty starting a program or encounter injuries or pain.
If you’d like to know more, reach out to our team at Foundation for a discovery call. It’s our job to help!