
Let’s face it. It’s been a tough year, and even though we’re approaching the last stretch, it’s not getting any easier. There are millions of things happening all at once – from home to work – so many tasks and responsibilities that buzz in our minds and tire our bodies.
It might seem impossible to survive the rest of the year, but trust us, every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing. The key to completing this journey successfully is maintaining a balance. There are different ways of doing this, and as part of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re guiding you through the basic yet most overseen practices.
Camping and hiking
The weather is superb, and whether you’re a die-hard camping fan or just someone looking for a low-cost nature break, exploring the great outdoors and getting back in touch with nature brings some real health benefits.
Forget about your smart devices. Unplug and enjoy the simplicity of nature. You will return refreshed and energised, which your mind and body will thank you for. Spending time in nature reduces stress as the traffic and rush of city life get replaced with the calming effects of nature. For example, a bird song, the wind in the trees, or waves crashing on the beach.
Without social media, a heavy depressor, you get to communicate directly with your loved ones and receive eye contact. This improves your relationships with others and adds to your well-being. With that, being outdoors improves your memory with the fresh air as your body releases higher levels of serotonin, which helps regulate your mood, appetite, and sleep.
You’ll sleep better because the natural yellow light of the outdoors helps you achieve a more natural alignment of the sleep-wake cycle with sunrise and sunset. Speaking about light, you’ll gain a vitamin D boost as your body absorbs vast quantities of sunlight. This is essential for healthy bones and teeth as your body absorbs calcium and phosphorus from the sun.
Imagine and start planning your well-deserved breakaway with the latest camping gear from Camp Master.
Gardening
Roll up your sleeves and get digging and planting! If you’re seeking a sense of belonging and connection, gardening can help by boosting your mental and physical well-being. It offers a chance to pause, reflect and celebrate new beginnings.
Spending time in the sun and gaining vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium to keep your bones and immune system healthy. Yes, gardening is hard work, but it helps burn calories too. You can burn as many as 330 calories per hour!
You’re likely to be happier when surrounded by plants and flowers due to endorphins being released, which makes you feel relaxed and satisfied. Turning gardening into a daily hobby for just 10 minutes could also prolong your life by 30% and lower the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Another benefit of gardening is that it serves as anger therapy; heavy digging and serious pruning after a rough day can help you blow off steam. It also creates a sense of responsibility in maintaining and upkeeping, especially when growing fruits and vegetables.
Channel your inner creativity and enhance your sensory system with various seeds and decorative pots from Garden Master.
Working out
Obviously, there are many physical benefits to working out. There is also an endless list of mental benefits from exercising, such as an improved mood and the ability to cope better with stress, improved self-esteem, and pride in physical accomplishments.
Regular exercise may help ease depression and anxiety by releasing feel-good endorphins and other natural brain chemicals that can enhance your sense of well-being. If you’re new to daily workouts, we suggest practising Deep Breathing Exercises before a workout.
How does one decide on which home gym equipment to choose from? Read our blog on Tips and Tricks for Buying Home Gym Equipment.
Now, it doesn’t matter if you’re 25 or 75, to keep a healthy mind is absolutely necessary! After all, a strong mind will lead you to live a fulfilling life. Therefore, we’re encouraging you today to prioritise mental health self-care and check out these fantastic ways to keep your mind healthy.
Lastly, we encourage you to start small on your big lifestyle changes for better health. Browse through our Small Home Gym Equipment or Weights.