6 Ways To Feeling Better

Sometimes the best way to feel better is to do very simple things. Check out the following six ways to make yourself feel better:

1. Granting yourself permission to take a “mental health” day. Why is it when we’re sick, we go to the doctor, get medication, take a sick day and think nothing of it? But when we’re mentally exhausted, we don’t take a mental health day? When you give yourself permission to take a day to do just what you want to do, you end up feeling refreshed. Take a nap in the middle of the day, read one of those romantic novels, sit and listen to the birds while drinking your morning tea. When you free your mind from the daily responsibilities, you replenish mind, body and soul.

 

2. Getting more sleep. I know, easier said then done. If you get enough sleep, however, it gives you energy, kick starts your immune system, increases your memory and helps keep your weight down. When you don’t get enough sleep, it can increase the risk for anxiety and depression. It can also increase the risk of heart disease. 7 to 8 hours of sleep is ideal for most people. If you can’t fall asleep or have trouble staying asleep talk to your doctor, there could be an underlying medical reason.

 

3. Seeing you friends and family regularly. Talking, laughing, sharing worries and concerns is a big stress reliever. Laughing releases “feel good” hormones, sharing worries and concerns helps you to deal with them better. Sometimes you get solutions to problems that you never thought of. This can bring down blood pressure and anxiety levels.

 

4. Nibbling on dark chocolate. This is great news for chocolate lovers! Eating a square or two of dark chocolate can bring lower blood pressure. It’s also shown to reduce the risk of stroke and reduce stress hormones. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants called flavonoids that can improve flexibility of blood vessels. The chocolate has to have 75% cocoa content for full effectiveness.

 

5. Sitting in the sun. Sunshine is the ultimate mood lifter. Exposing your skin to the sun triggers production of Vitamin D. Vitamin D can reduce your risk for cancer, heart disease, fragile bones and other problems. However, do remember to wear sun screen. You also can take a supplement of Vitamin D if your levels are low, check with your doctor.

 

6. You can have your full fat dressing and eat it too! Full fat dressings do serve a real purpose as long as you eat the right kinds. Try for at least 10% of your daily fat intake from monounsaturated fats. These fats can reduce your risks of heart disease and stroke, plus they just plain taste better. Omego-3 fatty acids also lower heart disease and also help decrease depression and rheumatoid arthritis. However no more than 30% of your daily calories should come from fat, even the kind that’s good for you.

 

So these six simple steps can bring about a happier, healthier you. Try a couple and see how YOU feel!

 

By Linda Lee Ruzicka

 

Linda Lee Ruzicka lives in the mountains of Western PA , happily married and with her 8 cats and three dogs. She has been published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Writing Village, June Cotner anthology, The Grit, Reminisce , the book, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family. She also does freelances work for Beyond andHealthcarejobsite. You can read more of her blogs on Healthcarejobsite blog.