Are you Headstrong?
We’re familiar with activities that promote our physical wellbeing. But what about our mental wellbeing? Headstrong helps you to look at your mental and physical health as one.
Top tips to soothe a stressed mind and potentially improve physical symptoms
Get the fundamentals right! – Things like having a healthy, balanced diet, a good sleep routine, keeping hydrated and making time for things you enjoy will have a positive effect on your mind and body.
Relaxation – Having a bath, listening to calming music or practising meditation can help you to feel less tense and more at ease. It can also cause other physical changes, such as lower heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure, which will also reduce the risk of physical diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Take a look at our article on Self-care for more on the importance of slowing down occasionally and tips on taking time out to boost your health and wellbeing.
Exercise – Exercise classes, walking or even using the stairs more often have physical and emotional wellbeing benefits. Chemicals called endorphins make you feel happy; these are released and taken up by the brain during exercise. If you want to enjoy the benefits first hand, check out our Exercise and fitness centre, where you’ll find plenty of practical tips, information and inspiration to get you moving more and keep you motivated along the way.
Awareness – Being aware of your mind and body can help you to improve your health and wellbeing in a timely manner. Being overly occupied, however, can make it hard to focus, as well as causing unnecessary worry and distress, which could make your physical symptoms feel worse. Try focusing on what you can hear and see in the world around you. Mindfulness can be a great method to bring your mind into the present and accepting your mind and body experience non-judgementally. Here are some mindfulness tips to get you started.
Connection – Connect with others and enjoying time with friends and family can make us feel happier and more at ease. Talking to someone about your health and symptoms can also really help. Even though this can feel daunting, having someone listen to how you are feeling can be beneficial.
The mind and body are inextricably linked, so look after both for good health. If you have any concerns about your mind or body, speak to your GP or a healthcare professional.
Additional resources
#Headstrong is an initiative we developed in conjunction with Richie Norton, Founder of the Strength Temple, to encourage people to work on their mental fitness in the same way they would their physical fitness. Visit the campaign site to found out more about this ‘one health’ approach and access a series of bespoke exercise, created by Richie, that use a combination of breathwork and movements to nourish your mental wellbeing and optimise your physical performance.
References
Mind-body link – King’s College London
Physical health and mental health – Mentalhealth.org.uk