Be Kind to Your Mind
Many of us are struggling to cope with stress these days, dealing with feelings of increased anxiety, insomnia, and overall restlessness. Focusing on self-care is more important now than ever!
When thinking about steps you can take at home to elevate your overall health and well-being during these challenging times, natural boosts for your body’s serotonin levels can help regulate anxiety, promote better sleep, and help you feel ready to face a new day.
Prioritize Your Health
Exercise is important, of course (though it’s not advised right before bed), and so is filling your grocery pick-up order with serotonin-boosting foods, like garbanzo beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, blueberries, lentils, nuts, pumpkin and chia seeds, and dark leafy greens.
Practicing your relaxation skills while you have some more time at home is also important for reducing general levels of anxiety and tension over time. Whether it’s deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation, find something you enjoy and set a reminder to practice it daily or several times throughout the week.
The Power of Weight
The calming comfort of a weighted Gravity Blanket provides a science-backed way to reduce your body’s cortisol levels, which are known to interfere with serotonin levels. Using the power of weight in premium-grade glass beads, soft, comforting Gravity Blankets help relax your nervous system.
Studies have shown that weighted blankets can be an effective tool for decreasing feelings of irritability, paranoia, and anxiety, and many people just enjoy that soothing sensation of being “hugged” by the blanket’s weight. The Gravity Blanket uses “deep touch pressure stimulation,” a firm but gentle hugging or holding sensation, which can trigger a calming response in the body.
Connect in a Positive Way
Spending less time scrolling on social and more time setting up video chats to laugh and connect with friends and family can help shift your mindset in a positive way. Virtual game nights, bringing out the old photo albums, sharing memories, and having a good laugh goes a long way.
Find Resources
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and national organizations are joining together to raise awareness about mental health and the millions of Americans who are living with mental illness. With today’s unique challenges, taking steps to promote positive mental health is important for everyone.
There are many great resources available for ideas and support, and whether you’re dealing with everyday stress and anxiety right now or something more, you can learn important strategies to help you manage and move forward.