Dear Emily,
Other than therapy, what easy things can I do just to feel better?
Dear Wanting to Feel Better,
Excellent question! There are a handful of lifestyle changes you can do to feel better physically—which is half of the battle. Try a couple of these on for size:
1. Catch some Zzz’s: Getting a good night’s rest is one of the best things you can do for your mental health AND your memory. It’s a win-win, right?! Here are a few tips:
- Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Even on the weekends.
Yes, I said weekends, too.
- Stay off screens! Your devices emit blue light which delay the production of
melatonin—the chemical that makes you sleepy. And, I would have to guess that
whatever you’re looking at isn’t likely sleepy-time content either.
- Put down the bottle. Most people know that reducing caffeine will improve
sleep quality. But, most people don’t realize that consuming adult
beverages will cause you to get poor quality “drunk sleep”. If you
choose to drink responsibly, do yourself a favor and drink at brunch, not dinner.
2. You are what you eat: Have you looked at the bottom of an empty fast food bag lately? That’s about how awesome you’ll feel after you consume the contents of said bag. Ick.
- Healthy'ish: Do yourself a favor and eat a few foods that come from a tree,
field or garden. I challenge you to not smother said nutritional ingredients in
cheese or oil either.
- HYDRATE! Our brains and bodies work better if we are properly hydrated. And
for all of my southern pals out there, water does not mean sweet tea. It means
plain ol’ drinking water.
3. Get up and move: Before the dawn of industrialization, we were movin’ and shakin’ all day everyday. But, over the last century, we've become a lot more sedentary. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, most folks are sitting and lounging way more than usual. Grab the dog and take a stroll around the block just to stretch your legs a bit.
EXTRA CREDIT: Replace social media with a pleasant activity. *GASP* Oh, I said it! If you spent as much time doing something you enjoy versus scrolling through social media, you might *whispers* …Actually enjoy yourself.
So, to recap: Sleep better, eat better, MOVE! Bonus points to anyone who chooses to reduce social media intake. It doesn’t sound too difficult, does it?
Sincerely,
Emily
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