Caring for our mind is just as important as the steps we take to look after our physical health. Be kind to your whole self with these recommendations.
Tell us which ones you’re giving a go below. Scroll right as you go down the list.
51. Purls of wisdom
It’s time to rethink how you see knitting. This simple pastime is two-fold: it can make you and your loved ones cosy apparel and it helps to combat feelings of depression, chronic pain while keeping your mind sharp – what are you waiting for?
52. Have a cold shower
If you’re not up for giving outdoor cold-water swimming a go, you can dip your proverbial toe in the comfort of your own home. Try turning the cold tap on for the last two minutes of your shower instead; it can improve mental health, help soothe sore muscles and improve circulation.
53. Give reiki a try
Many of you might be asking: ‘What the heck is reiki?’ This Japanese healing technique is designed to channel energy from the therapist through touch. By putting us into a relaxed state, it helps to balance emotional and physical wellbeing and ease pain.
54. Build your resilience
Building our resolve to endure life's hardships helps us bounce back from them. Knowing how to manage the stressful scenarios means we can take steps to safeguard our mental health. Here are 5 ways to build resilience.
55. Set your circadian rhythm
Getting outside in the morning sunlight (whether it’s shining or not) triggers your body’s natural circadian clock. By doing this, it lets your body know which biological processes need to take place, such as hunger and your body temperature; helping you to regulate appetite and reduce stress.
56. Learn a language
Do you know your dankes from your de nadas or s’il vous plaîts from your saluts? Studies show that learning a second language can slow cognitive ageing and later onset of dementia. ¿Hablas español?
57. Feel the music
Don’t think you’re musically inclined? You might want to think again for your health. Playing a musical instrument has been linked to better brain health in older adults, as well as singing, reading and listening to music, including improved working memory.
58. Have a hobby
Spending quality time doing the things we love – whether it’s gardening, drawing or baking – has more benefits on our health than we might know. It can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and promote good mental health. Finding like-minded people can also improve your social connections as you enjoy your hobby together.
59. Laugh a little
‘Laughter is the best medicine’ is more than just an old saying. When you laugh, it releases endorphins – the ‘feel-good hormone’, which reduces stress and brings down your heart rate. It also improves oxygen flow round the body and circulation.
60. Say cheese
Whether a smile is genuine or not, psychologists believe it can impact the mind and body in a positive way. Not only has it been found to elevate mood and boost immunity, one study has even gone as far to say that smiling more can actually help you live longer.
61. Have a purpose
Having a purpose in life makes you more likely to protect your health, whether that’s eating better or going for regular screenings. This is because you believe that your life has meaning and there is something worth living for. How you choose to define a purposeful life is yours to make.
62. Friends with benefits
The NHS says that people with ‘healthy, positive and supportive relationships’ are more likely to live healthier and happier lives. Maintaining good connections with the people around us doesn’t just combat loneliness, it also reduces stress and feelings of anxiety.
63. It takes a village
Meeting like-minded people can be hard, especially as we age. But having a group of people around you with the same interests and cares creates strong bonds, which can tackle mental health issues. Why not see if you can find a group that’s right for you through volunteering, book clubs or sports groups.
64. Get out into nature
Mother nature has the power to keep us emotionally, psychologically and physically healthy. Being outside in natural light not only combats seasonal affective disorder, which is particularly present in winter, but improves physical health as it encourages movement.
65. Let the garden grow
Being out in the garden encourages physical activity but promotes good emotional health as well. So much so, medical professionals are prescribing gardening as rehabilitation and as a prevention method against ill-health.
66. Connect with those who have healthy habits
Friends can make us laugh, cry and think in a totally different way but they also have the power to influence our habits. Choosing people around you who encourage positive behaviours is no bad thing, as it can make you more mindful of your own.
67. Put down your device
Many of us will use some form of gadget on a daily basis. But it’s also a good idea to unplug and have time away from them. Blue light from screens – such as mobile phones – can make it harder to sleep, while stopping scrolling can improve relationships with the ones you love.
68. Embrace your imperfections
There’s no relationship as important as the one that we have with ourselves, especially for our health. These days we are exposed to unrealistic ideas of beauty, but knowing our own self-worth is far more powerful.
69. Practice gratitude
It can be tempting to always look at the bigger picture. But there is a lot of beauty in the small, everyday moments. Gratitude helps you to be thankful for everything from your morning cup of coffee to your evening bubble bath. This simple act has been found to positively benefit mental wellbeing and reduce worrying.
70. Helping others helps you
Giving back isn’t just good for communities in need, it’s a two-way street. Research shows that acts of kindness, such as volunteering, reduces stress and improves our self-esteem as we help others in need. It also helps us to gain a perspective on our own life and makes us grateful for the things we have.
71. Make friends at work
Most of us will spend one third of our lifetime at work. So, it’s important to enjoy the time we spend there. Making friends at work can create positive and comfortable environments to spend our time – and it can boost productivity too.
72. Keep yourself busy
We don’t mean that frantic, on the cusp of burnout busy. But sedentary lifestyles are a risk in all-cause mortality and contribute to increased risk of cancers and cardiovascular disease. It also helps you stay motivated and combat negative thoughts.
73. Turn the volume down
Noise is part of everyday life but too much loud noise can permanently damage your hearing, causing hearing loss or buzzing in your ears. This doesn’t just cause stress and potential anxiety for you, but also for the people around you. So, cherish your ears.
74. Be aware of your air quality
Even though we can’t see it, the air we breathe has an impact on our health. Poor air quality can increase our risk of stroke, dementia and other long-term respiratory issues, such as lung function and asthma. You can check the air quality near you via the Friends of the Earth website.
75. You’re as young as you feel
We’ve all heard a joke about our ages at one time or another. But negative stereotypes on age can have a negative impact on our health in the future. If a health problem arises, we can be put off fixing the issue as we believe it’s part of the ‘ageing process’. Remember, you’re as young as you feel!
