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Be Kind to Yourself!

Are you hard on yourself whenever you make a mistake? Do you focus on your shortcomings rather than your accomplishments? The next time you find yourself beating yourself down, try speaking to yourself as if you are your best friend. If your best friend got a C on a test, you’d console her and remind her that a C won’t ruin her life. If your other friend felt bad about not exercising for a week, you would assure him that missing one week won’t diminish his progress. Sometimes it’s easy to be especially hard on ourselves. As we all know, mistakes are something everyone makes. They are necessary to learn about life. However, we tend to have higher expectations for ourselves than other people. When you notice the self-criticism rising, take a step back, breathe, and tell yourself what you would tell your friend.

Treat Yourself to Some Dark Chocolate

Truly dark chocolate (with a high percentage of cocoa), in moderation, can actually be good for you! It contains fiber and minerals. It is also an antioxidant. Dark chocolate can also improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, raise HDL, and reduce heart disease risk. All of these benefits are in quality dark chocolate (70% and above). So, next time you want to snack on some chocolate, go for it!

Start Your Day with a Cup of Coffee

Recent research has shown that it is not only safe to have a cup of coffee every day, but it may actually be beneficial to your health. Coffee consumption is linked to lower rates of depression. Research also suggests it is protective against type 2 diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, liver disease, and liver cancer. It is also healthy for your heart. However, if you suffer from insomnia or anxiety, be sure to look into whether or not it is the best choice for you. Everyone has different physiology, so we encourage you to check with your doctor if you have any concerns. Consuming coffee in moderation might be a great addition to your morning routine!

Cold Showers—Give Them a Shot!

The thought of stepping into ice cold water can be intimidating. But, cold exposure is shown to be great for you in a variety of ways. Research shows it can boost your metabolism and reduce inflammation and stress. It can also improve your sleep quality and focus, and increase your energy levels. Like exercising, cold exposure puts a healthy amount of stress on your body that your body then has to overcome, making it stronger in the long run. And it causes you to release natural painkillers, such as endorphins, that are pleasurable as well. And you can take it slow—start by stepping into mildly cold water, and make it a little colder each time you shower. And stay in a little longer each time. It will get easier and easier over time. It’s a health tool that is fast, cheap, and effective!

Try Journaling

Writing down your feelings can really help people understand and work through their problems. Additionally, writing down three things you are grateful for everyday can help boost your mood. It can help make you feel more optimistic about and satisfied with your life. Bottling up your emotions is not healthy, and journaling helps people express themselves and their emotions by writing.

Powerful Emotions

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

A quote from the late Maya Angelou that describes the longevity of feeling within the human experience. Despite everything we experience in life, the most lasting memories are the ones associated with intense emotion (whether positive or negative). With this knowledge, be mindful of the strength your thoughts, words, and actions can have on others. Adversity can be the greatest teacher of our capabilities and potential. While the “light at the end of the tunnel” can be hard to see, once we reach it, it’s important to reflect on how we got there. Appreciating our path to success can prepare us for the next obstacle that stands between us and our goals.

Go Outside!

The majority of the world has been stuck inside for almost a year. Not going outside, appreciating nature, and enjoying fresh air can take a toll on your mental health. Try going to a local park. Maybe try a hiking trail if you want a bit of a workout! Maybe try meditating outside or doing some yoga. Studies have shown that “forest therapy” can decrease cortisol levels (a hormone related to stress). 

Self Care is Important!

Covid-19 has made many things more stressful than usual. And we are stuck at home with little to no social interaction. It’s extremely important to practice self care in order to decrease your stress levels and emotional health (you can also improve your physical health too!). Try running yourself a nice bath (get some bath bombs, bath salts, and candles). Practice some yoga or stretching (there are many YouTube channels dedicated to yoga from home!). Watch your favorite movie with your pet, some popcorn, and a fluffy blanket. Make sure that you are taking care of your mental health during this time. It’s extremely important!

Psychological benefits of dancing

“Dance is the joy of movement and the heart of life.” – Anonymous

Studies show that dancing is an extremely powerful way to boost your overall happiness. Dancing has been shown to improve both your physical and mental health (and it’s one of the most fun ways to work out!). Dancing has also been shown to increase people’s quality of life. Moving your body to music releases dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins inside your brain! So, next time you’re feeling a bit down, put on your favorite nostalgic music and just dance around the house!

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