Life in the 21st century is full of stress. We all work too hard. We all spend too much time staring at computers and phones. While we may not feel the impact of this hard charging lifestyle as we are doing it, this way of living does take a toll on both our physical and our emotional well-being.
Most of us know that we could living a bit healthier and we may even know the ways to do it.
But this article will serve as a reminder that there are some simple things you can do to make yourself look and feel better. And these are steps you can begin to take today! All you need to do is make the commitment to them. They are not life changing, but they will make your life better. And they are all things that you can achieve. So take these steps toward relieving stress and improving your overall health.
Exercise
Working out regularly is one of the best things we can do for both our bodies and our minds. It’s the key to increasing life span, keeping flexible and filling your body with all the good hormones we need. Exercise also is a huge benefit in terms of stress relief, weight loss and generally being happy. If fact physical activity is so important that we have created an entire industry and culture around. But many don’t get enough exercise and they are only hurting themselves. Can’t get to the gym as often as you want? That’s okay. There are many exercises you can do at your desk or while cooking dinner. Just get physical already!
Get More Sleep
Lack of sleep is one of the leading causes of stress among adults. And it creates a vicious cycle: You worry that you won’t sleep, and then it causes insomnia, which makes you more stressed the next day. Take break from electronic devices at least a half hour before bed. There are also a host of natural and homeopathic remedies that can help. These include melatonin and CBD oil, which helps reduce stress. Many people also find that certain strains of medical cannabis help them sleep (this is mostly indica, not sativa). In terms of sleep inducement, both CBD oil and cannabis are best when consumed with a quality glass bong or a vape pen, though both can also be taken in edible form (they just takes longer to interact when taken orally)
Hydrate
The benefits of drinking water are well documented. Yet many of us just don’t drink enough during the day. We get busy, or we forget. But the fact remains that you should drink at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water every day to maximize physical performance, energy levels and brain functions. Keep a bottle with you at all times, and ask a friend to check in to remind you if you’ve had a drink within the last hour. Water—it does the body good!
Explore Nature
As life becomes more digital and more entertainment driven many of us are spending increased amount of times indoors. Many of us worry that our children are not getting enough time to play outside, and we forget that we need the same types of mental and physical breaks. But we don’t get recess, so we need to build in this time for ourselves. One of the best ways to do this is to get outdoors and go for a hike. There are hiking trails within a half hour of your door if you do a little digging (a great place to start is All Trails, which lets you search by location). For the more adventurous there is nothing better for the mind and body than a few nights spent camping. It will make you feel like a kid again. Among the many benefits we get from being in nature are a sense of renewal, a break from our routines, an appreciation for the earth and a bit of rigorous exercises.