Mental health is just as important as physical health, and we often underestimate stress’s effects on our bodies. We tend to focus so much on society’s expectations of what we should be that we put our all into achieving unrealistic goals while neglecting our basic health needs. People are now accustomed to sleeping less than eight hours a day because they are overworked, partying, socializing, and creating content that will get likes or help them go viral, spending hours per day on social media rather than going for a walk or reading a book, and the list goes on. But when is enough enough? When do people begin to focus and protect their inner peace? To be able to function daily with a sound mind.
Peace is considered a stress-free state of mind and calmness established when everything in your life coexists in absolute harmony. Your mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and stress affects how you think, feel, and act.
The past two years in this pandemic taught me that life is short and that our mental and physical health impacts our overall health. To be healthy, we need to include inner peace in our regimen to achieve optimal health benefits. As someone battling hypertension, I have found a few ways to manage stress and have peace in this chaotic world.
Say ‘no’ to people.
Most times, the word ‘no’ is used negatively. It is seen as a representation of defiance and rejection. People almost always surround us, and it becomes busy to juggle conversations and people’s needs, wants or even asks of you. So, knowing and understanding that ‘no’ should be used when required is crucial. It may seem harsh to some, but it is necessary when you are tired, overworked, and just like you are running on fumes.
Also, learn how to say ‘no’ to toxic people. The people we surround ourselves with affect how we think, feel, and act. Toxic people can add to your stress levels, so establish boundaries to protect your peace.
Relax and recharge.
Relaxation is one of the most natural ways to relieve stress. It is a technique that can help you lower blood pressure, slow your heart rate, improve digestion, lower blood sugar levels, enhance the quality of sleep, and reduce muscle tension and chronic pain; I mean, the list can go on, and I think you get the point here. Relaxation is vital for your overall health. So, take days off, use your vacation, take breaks during the day, or whatever it takes to recharge.
Disconnect from social media.
Yes, I said it! Power down your devices, set aside some time to unplug from social media and enjoy some ‘me’ time.
The constant use of social media and technology can leave you depressed, lonely, and frustrated. We often compare ourselves to what is portrayed on social media, but we must remember that what we see is not always reality. Some people show a false sense of happiness and completeness for likes and will have you feeling like a failure in life itself; disconnecting is beneficial for your mental health. It will also give you time to enjoy the present and improve your sleep quality. And let’s be honest: there is a lot of toxicity in social media, and we all can use a break now and again.
If you are considering unplugging, try using the do not disturb feature on your devices, setting a schedule, or turning off your notifications. These options worked well for me in the past year.
Meditate.
There are several types of meditation, and whether you choose to do it for religious reasons or not, it is a great way to relieve stress, release negative emotions, increase self-awareness, and improve your patience.
Exercise.
Now, this is not my way to convince you to work out because I am currently struggling with this, but moving your body helps to relieve stress. So, in my quest for inner peace, I found that exercise helps reduce anxiety and depression because it affects a chemical in the brain associated with feeling confident and happy. Exercise will help you in more ways than one, and we all can boost our confidence now and again!
Our overall health should always include our mind, body, and soul; it only takes a small effort and one step to achieve that inner peace. Take it one day at a time, and remember that ‘health is wealth.’
“Health is a state of complete mental, social and physical well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” – World Health Organization, 1948
-Your favorite BaldHeaded Beauty
