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The internet is full of healthy living tips… eat better, exercise more and drink water. Yet, there is so little information out there that addresses the importance of staying “mentally fit” – and how to do it.
In this article, brought to you by Old Mutual iWYZE, we’ll explore the balance between physical health and mental wellness. More importantly, we’ll share some tips on how to improve your ‘mind-game’ to complement your physical wellbeing.
What is mental wellness?
Mental wellness includes your overall state of psychological wellbeing. This includes the way you feel about yourself, the people around you, the world at large and most importantly, how all these feelings are influencing your life and ability to function.
The sad truth is that there is a stigma connected to mental health. We’ve all heard the expressions “cowboys don’t cry” or “put on your big girl pants”. Statements like these often trivialise our emotions and feelings.
Fact is, physical injuries or illness are easier to diagnose and treat – if your arm is broken, you visit a doctor, get a diagnosis and it gets treated. Mental health issues however, are not visible and is most often only addressed after a crisis has occurred.
How can I improve my mental wellness?
While there are certain things we can do on a daily basis to realign and fine-tune our emotional wellbeing, it’s important to recognise when professional help should be sought. Having constant feelings of doubt, negativity or lethargy could mean a deeper problem, such as depression. If you, or someone you know, often display these traits it might be time to speak to a mental healthcare professional.
Here are 6 “quick win” ideas to help you tackle each day with a more positive mind-set:
- Listen to music that puts you in the right mood. Music has the ability to alter our state of mind. Pick a song or playlist that matches the mood you want to be in – whether you need confidence for an important meeting or interview, just some feel-good vibes or whatever the case might be.
- Eat healthy and exercise. You knew this was going to be on the list! That’s because it’s true. A healthy body incorporates a healthy mind, while exercise releases feel good endorphins that makes us more positive.
- Take good care of old memories. Every so often we need to remember the good times. Save the text messages that made your heart beat faster. Look at the photos of that trip you took. Save little mementos and revisit them often as reminders of the positive things in your life.
- Beware of who you surround yourself with. The people around you plays an important role in your mental wellness. Avoid that colleague that does nothing but complain and grumble. Seek out the person who makes you feel good about being you… and always try to be that person for others.
- Set yourself goals, and work towards them. As humans, we do tend to fall into certain patterns over time. Get up, go to work, come home and watch TV, go to bed. The same thing, every day. Actively pursuing a new interest or goal can break the monotony and give us new inspiration.
- Speak up. If you suspect that your mental wellness isn’t what it should be. Don’t keep it to yourself. You won’t feel ashamed to go to the doctor with a broken bone or cough… so why feel ashamed when your mental health is under the weather. Start by speaking to a close friend or family member, and take it from there – you’d be surprise how willing people are to help!
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Working on both our mental and physical health is important. One way to reduce the mental anguish over your physical wellbeing, is to supplement your medical aid with Old Mutual iWYZE Gap Cover, which keeps you protected against medical aid shortfalls – affordably and reliably. Get a quote today.
iWYZE Gap Cover is administered by Xelus (Pty) Ltd, an authorised FSP (FSP 36931). Risk profile dependent. Terms and conditions apply.
Additional sources:
https://www.bjceap.com/Blog/ArtMID/448/ArticleID/93/Physical-Health-vs-Mental-Health-Is-One-More-Important
https://www.melyssagriffin.com/15-tips-for-being-positive/
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