Taking responsibility for our own health makes sense in these days of ever rising health care costs. So here are a dozen simple, mostly free, self help steps that you can take to calm yourself, feel better and improve your physical and emotional health. One or more of them, possibly all, will work for you.
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Eat Soothing Foods:
We are all trying to eat more fruit and vegetables but there are some special points to note. As you adjust your diet make certain that you eat more foods rich in Vitamin B like green leafy vegetables and apples. It's difficult, but try to avoid processed meat, fizzy drinks, caffeine and excess alcohol all of which can stimulate our adrenal glands making us feel tense and nervy. -
Breathe Slowly and Deeply:
Research shows that anxious, highly strung people tend to be chronic over-breathers who make themselves feel worse and increase their feelings of anxiety through their rapid shallow breathing which can, in severe cases lead to hyperventilation. -
Walk Each Day:
It doesn't matter how little time you have or how short your daily stroll has to be, the important thing is to get outside and do it. Take the time to look at the sky, the other people in the street, the trees, the traffic, the birds. Anything will do so long as it directs your attention away from yourself and on to something else. -
Find You-Time:
Again it doesn't matter what you do. Just find a space in your life to have some time for yourself when you can do whatever you enjoy. It might be wandering in a mall, pulling out weeds in the garden, reading a magazine, listening to music, playing an instrument. The important thing is that this is time for you to do whatever gives you pleasure. Encourage your family and friends to recognise that this is your time and to leave you alone to enjoy it in your own way. -
Smile:
Ridiculous as this suggestion sounds, the fact is that it really does work. When we smile it is impossible for us to feel depressed or unhappy. Try it, you'll be amazed. -
Pamper Yourself:
Have a massage, arrange an appointment for a haircut, have a facial or a manicure. -
Get Warm:
When we are warm blood flows to our extremities and we are more relaxed. Soak in a hot bath, or if that isn't possible use your imagination to picture yourself lying on a sun soaked beach toasting yourself; think of an internal fire in your midriff spreading out to your entire body…….use your mind. -
Make Lists:
This isn't something that appeals to everyone but for some it really works. Make a list, or lists of the things that bother you, and then destroy them. This enables you take control of these anxiety triggers and eliminate them from your life. If they reappear just tell them that they are not important and you'll attend to them tomorrow at a particular time. Chances are that by that time tomorrow they'll not be there. -
Do Something Practical:
Get stuck in to one of the things you've been avoiding. Tidy your closet, write those overdue letters, clear and clean your kitchen cupboards or your garden shed. This is highly symbolic - you are clearing away the rubbish and making space for your new life. -
Reframe Your Thoughts in a Positive Way:
When we become stressed we often let our thoughts get stuck on a one way track of negative thinking. Take the things that are bothering you and look at them in a completely different way. Let yourself see that something good could come out of it after all. Then keep on reminding yourself about the good things. -
Don't Catastrophise:
When stressed we sometimes inflate things way beyond their real importance and imagine all the dreadful possible additional things that could occur. Tell yourself that those other bad things won't happen and that you only have one thing to deal with and you will cope. -
Talk:
Talking to a non-judgmental friend who is a good listener can often be helpful. Avoid sharing your problems with people who you know will want to talk about themselves or make comments that make you feel worse.
Good luck on your pathway to feeling better and living longer.