![]() In our recent wellness survey, 9% of participants stated that the most important aspect of maintaining an overall healthy well-being is alone time. Time on our own can be used to do a variety of things, but there are some activities that are more beneficial than sitting down and watching television. Meditation Meditation is a great way to reconnect with ourselves, recharge after a long day, or prepare for the day ahead. It can take as little or as much time as we need to clear our minds. For beginners, there are many resources available to help you get started; apps such as Headspace or The Mindfulness App are great ways to introduce yourself to meditation. Benefits of meditation include lower levels of anxiety and stress, and lower blood cortisol levels (1) which can improve sleeping patterns. Journaling For some individuals, journaling is their main way to de-stress. It is an outlet that allows you to release your inner thoughts and feelings through writing or drawing. Journaling can help with managing anxiety, coping with depression, and reducing stress. It allows you to recognize your triggers, and to identify any negative behaviors you may not otherwise be aware of. (2) Exercise Exercising has many benefits to your mental health. Instead of sitting on the couch and watching television for an hour, get your body moving and increase your heart rate by going for a walk or a swim. Activities such as yoga will also improve your sleep and your ability to manage stress. Meal Prepping Try replacing your usual Sunday afternoon or evening activities with preparing healthy lunches for the week ahead. Make sure you include lots of dark leafy greens and complex carbohydrates to fuel your brain. A meal prep short cut; purchase a rotisserie chicken and use it in salads, sandwiches, and wraps which makes for a quick and healthy alternative to take out. Go to Bed Early It is no secret that most of us do not get the recommended amount of sleep every night. Studies have shown that sleep problems may contribute to the development or prolongation of mental illness by making it more difficult to cope with daily stresses. (3) Give yourself the night off and retire early to catch up on the sleep you may be missing. Remove your phone and any other screens that may be a distraction to you and let yourself recharge. No one is perfect, and let’s face it - sometimes we just want to lay on the couch and watch television, and that’s okay… some of the time. However, if we pay more attention to making the most of our alone time, it can have significant benefits to our mental health and overall well- being. For more ideas on how to improve the quality of your alone time, speak to a mental health professional for suggestions of activities that you can incorporate into your own personal wellness program. References: 1. Meditation 101: Techniques, Benefits and a Beginners How To by: Inner IDEA 2. Journaling for Mental Health University of Rochester Medical Center 3. Mental Illness and Sleep Disorders, Tuck Sleep, June 12, 2018
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Dr. Diana GarciaDr. Diana Garcia has over 20 years of experience in the field of psychology. She has provided psychological and counseling services in Ontario, and the states of Pennsylvania, and Florida Archives
January 2022
Categories
All
|