As Jim Rohn says ‘Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live’. In today’s fast paced world, with 24-hour connectivity and so many competing demands on our time, we often put our own health and wellbeing low down on our list of personal priorities. We need to remember that we are all important, we need to practice self-care if we are to perform at our best, whether that’s in the workplace or caring for our families.
People spend a considerable amount of money on their car, servicing and replacing worn or defective parts. Many people rely on their car for their work or personal travel, so keeping it up and running is vital. However, you are much more important than your car, if you can’t function that’s a real issue. People need to place as much (or more) importance on themselves than they would their car! Money spent on yourself is an investment not an expense.
The NHS states that ‘Adults should do some type of physical activity every day. Exercise just once or twice a week can reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke. Adults should aim to do strengthening activities that work all the major muscle groups on at least 2 days a week. Do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week. For the over 65s it states they should aim to be physically active every day, even if it’s just light activity. Do activities that improve strength, balance and flexibility on at least 2 days a week and do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity if you are already active, or a combination of both’.
As well as the physical benefits, exercise is also great for the mind. It can help to relieve stress, improve mood, and can help with depression. It doesn’t have to be in the gym, or super intense, just get moving, you will feel better. Read our previous article The Underrated Power of Walking.
Our mental wellbeing is just as important as our physical wellbeing. The charity Mind, describe mental wellbeing as something ‘we might use it to talk about how we feel, how well we’re coping with daily life or what feels possible at the moment.’ The vast majority of us will not feel happy every single day, we will have good and bad days, which is perfectly normal.
Our mental wellbeing can impact our physical wellbeing, stress can make certain health condition worse. However, we can take steps to try and improve our mental wellbeing. These could range from getting more sleep, meditating, getting more sunlight or disconnecting from social media for a period. Whatever method you choose, just remember to be kind to yourself. Just remember that if you are continuing to struggle, reach out for professional help, don’t suffer in silence.
Thanks To
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Useful Links:
Circle of Life: The Underrated Power of Walking – TheBoldAge
Physical activity guidelines for older adults – NHS (www.nhs.uk)