Tag: way of life

The Advantages of Implementing Body Neutrality In Your Life

Body neutrality is a relatively new idea for many people. It is the discipline of embracing your body in its current condition for what it can achieve rather than focused on how it appears. As a result, some individuals may be confused why they must try it, or even whether they should.

There are several advantages to practising bodily neutrality, which vary from physical to emotional. One of the positive aspects is that just shifting your attention away from exercise that feels like punishment or for weight reduction goals, and instead engaging in exercise activities you love, can reduce your chances of overworking or injuring your body.

Although body positivity was originally seen to be the best approach to build connections with our bodies, body neutrality, a newer concept, is now thought to be a better method of connecting with our physical selves.

Some of the advantages of implementing body neutrality in your life are:

  1. Become Less Judgmental

It is really tough to avoid criticizing our bodies. We are continually inundated with pictures of “perfect” bodies in the media, and most people—often including those whose own figures are on display and digitally altered—believe that their own bodies fall short of the ideal form. If you try to stop judging your own body against those of someone else or against an aesthetic in your head, it’s logical that you’ll stop judging other people’s looks as severely.

One of the most beneficial aspects of this is that as we become less judgmental about our bodies, it becomes much easier to be less judgmental towards yourself and others generally. Even though it comes to issues other than bodies, practising body neutrality may cause you to be less critical of yourself and others.

  1. Become More Empathetic

When we become less harsh and judgemental of someone else, we start to open ourselves up to their complex and diverse experiences. Instead of passing judgement on others, we may cultivate our sense of empathy.

This might be in pertinent aspects, like not thinking of an obese person as having an unsuitable physique, or in non-related ways, such as attentively listening  to a person’s experience or narrative before making judgements on them, or deciding what your impression of them is solely based on their looks.

Cultivating more empathy allows you to connect with others more effectively and profoundly. It helps us to be more open since we have a better understanding of how sensitive everyone else is. And it causes us to behave from a gentler interior place, rather than a competitive attitude.

  1. It  Lowers Stress Levels

There is little doubt that chronic stress may have a significant detrimental impact on our lives. Prolonged stress is defined as feeling anxious about your body on a regular basis. Since your body is constantly with you, an emotional issue centred on your body has no end point on its own. Individuals might battle for years, if not their whole lives, with how they appear.

Once you choose to embrace your body for what it is capable of doing and stop concentrating about how it should be changed, your levels of stress are likely to decrease. This makes it simpler to feel content and at ease. Furthermore, when you are under reduced stress, your body produces less cortisol (the body’s major stress hormone), which results in good consequences such as increased energy, good sleep, and improved digestion.

  1. It Enhances Your Intuition

One important aspect of body neutrality is eating what your body desires. To be able to do so, you must first connect with your body on a personal level. Many individuals are accustomed to selecting foods based on what they are taught by nutritional specialists, or even celebrities, as the “correct” items to eat, so eating intuitively might feel like a significant life shift.

Once you have learnt how to connect with your intuition in respect to your health and food, you unlock the way to hearing and listening to your instincts in general. It can be beneficial to your mental health since it can make you feel much more secure in your decision-making abilities.

  1. It Improves Your Mood

If you spend any of your time worrying about your physique, chances are you’re not in the greatest of moods. And then from there, it may well be difficult to immediately put oneself in a great mood, even when everything else in your environment is technically fine.

Less judgement, reduced stress, and improved intuition as a result of bodily neutrality are all excellent mood enhancers. Body neutrality practise may lead to all of these benefits, and as a result, you may find yourself in a positive mindset more frequently than you’ve ever anticipated.

Body neutrality is not a one-time event. It may be a long process, just like any other personal journey. However, the advantages might be enormous. From reduced stress to increased happiness, the mental wellbeing advantages of body neutrality are compelling enough to warrant a try.

How To Quickly Improve Your Mood

While we’re in the midst of life’s stresses, we sometimes just want to feel happy immediately. Not only do studies indicate that cheerful individuals have many advantages in life as a result of their happiness, but happiness also just feels good.

Every area of your life is affected by your mood and mental health, from how you feel about yourself to your relationships with others and your physical health.

Though it may appear like happiness is just around the corner with a better career, a healthier relationship or a nicer house, the euphoria that comes with those accomplishments might be ephemeral. Furthermore, you don’t need to make major changes to be joyful; you can experience happiness even with doing miniscule task

There are several strategies to keep your brain and emotions in peak condition. Exercise, good nutrition, and stress-reduction strategies such as meditation or mindfulness may maintain your brain — and your body — in peak condition.

How to Quickly Improve Your Mood

Listen To Music

Music is believed to have the capacity to affect one’s mood, making it a great stress reliever. In reality, music has been utilised therapeutically in hospitals for pain management and mental well-being. Music has also been related to happiness, particularly specific genres of music, according to research. Music, particularly music with a major tone, is associated with reduced stress and feelings of enjoyment.

Incorporate Laughter In Your Life

As it’s so true, the saying “Laughter is the best medicine” has become a cliche. We know that laughing has several benefits other than improving one’s mood. Laughter has been shown to boost immunity and extend life. Laughter can not only be helpful for elevating your mood but the mere anticipation of laughter has been shown to have advantages.

Change Your Mindset

Changing your expectations and comparisons is a quick and easy approach to improve your attitude. Rather than focusing on what you don’t have, consider all you do have. There will always be those that will have more than you in some aspect of life, but so many would have less than you. Enjoy the advantages of thankfulness and shift your perspective on what you have, and you will feel happier right away.

Do a Good Deed

Many people have found that helping others makes them happy. Indeed, studies suggest that individuals who volunteer have higher levels of health and pleasure. This is believed to be true for a number of reasons. The first is that generosity itself has several advantages, including an increased degree of emotional well-being. If you are doing something kind for someone else, your attention shifts away from yourself and your issues and onto others and making them happy. A smile that you put on somebody else’s face is an infectious smile that spreads contagious happiness.

Practice Meditation

Although meditation appears to be more of a stress management strategy than one that may increase happiness, it has been shown to be an efficient approach for both. Meditation’s stress-reduction effects are well-known, but research also suggests that regular meditation can lead to higher levels of happiness.

If your attempts to improve your mood aren’t helping or you’re having difficulty giving yourself a very much needed boost, consider seeking help from a  professional therapist. If your mood has been low for much more than two weeks or is affecting your relationships, job, or education, speaking with a therapist can help.

Ways To Improve Your Work-Life Balance While Working From Home

Work is an important aspect of everyone’s lives. Our income ensures that the lights are kept on, that there is food on our table, and the rainy-day fund is full. In today’s volatile and incredibly quick corporate environment, achieving work-life balance is a difficult challenge.

As we become more linked via social media and the internet, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish our workplace from our personal life. It is standard practise to read emails at all periods of the day and night, to handle business calls at the dinner table, and to work on our computers on weekends. How did this come to be regarded as acceptable?

Jobs are starting to require more and more from their employees, putting them under intense pressure to provide better outcomes. As a result, employees work harder and longer and spend less time at home.

Despite overwhelming proof that working longer is damaging to both individuals and employers, several workers continue to struggle to alter their beliefs — and strongly established behaviours — about work hours.

Establishing a healthy work-life balance is not only beneficial to one’s health and wellbeing, but it could also boost one’s efficiency and, consequently, performance. Simply stated, if your employees do not see work as a chore, they will work even harder, commit fewer errors, and are much more inclined into becoming company supporters.

How To Improve Your Work-Life Balance While Working From Home

Allow yourself to just let go of perfection

We should constantly aim for excellence rather than perfection; this really is especially crucial when balancing work and life while working remotely. You are unlikely to have everything you need to do your tasks exactly as you would at the office. You won’t have access to all of your files, computer, copier, or even the fax machine you barely use once a month. It’s time to make changes and just do the utmost you can with the resources you have. It’s a little mental adjustment, but it makes a massive impact.

Disconnect

If you’re always available, your working hours never conclude. You require those periods when you switch off. Allow yourself some time away from work. It might be something as easy as not reading emails in the evenings or on weekends. Give yourself periods of tranquilly rather than racing through each activity.

Exercise

Exercise should always be the first thing we make time for when our routine is interrupted in such a major way. It decreases stress, increases endorphins, and improves your mood. Don’t even have an hour to work out? Begin by stretching for 15 minutes with yoga. It will provide you with the same benefits (although on a smaller scale) as well as an extra sense of achievement and self-care.

It’s understandable that when gyms and sports centers are shut, it might be difficult to find alternative forms of exercise. Several trainers and gyms now offer online lessons, and you may even find free classes on YouTube. When working at home, exercising is a wonderful method to attain work-life balance.

Have proper meals

While munching on snacks during the day while working from home may sound appealing, it does nothing for your productivity or feeling of work-life balance. At work, we may feel more driven to take a lunch hour when our colleagues urge us to do so – this doesn’t really occur when you are working from home. Ensure that you schedule time in your day for a decent break. Create a calendar or phone alert about it.

Create transitions going in and out of the work mindset

We frequently take our transit time for granted and wish we can get there sooner. However, we rarely recognise the chance it provides to psychologically prepare. You don’t usually sign off on a large project and then head home to cook dinner. Allow your mind to press the reset button. Get a signal to serve as a buffer at the start and conclusion of your day.

Remember to socialise

When the whole company begins working from home, you are shut away from several informal everyday contacts. If you’re not accustomed to working alone, this might be isolating. Occasional social contacts can break up your day and make it feel unique, whereas isolation may make each day seem like Groundhog Day, except we’re all working.

Resist this by speaking with your coworkers several times during the day. Take a video coffee break, inquire how they did over the weekend, check up on their personal happenings, reach out and exchange that joke or meme, or simply talk about the series you’re currently binge-watching. Continue to chat to them on a certain issue if you typically do.

When working from home, these small encounters might help you maintain your work-life balance.

What Is Ikigai?

Ikigai (ee-key-guy) is a Japanese notion that combines the words iki, which means “alive” or “life,” and gai, which means “benefit” or “value.” When these phrases are combined, they indicate something which provides your life value, significance, or goal.

The notion of ikigai is claimed to have originated from traditional Japanese medicine’s core health and wellness concepts. According to this medical tradition, one’s physiological well-being is influenced by one’s mental wellbeing and perception of meaning in life

Explanations of ikigai are frequently associated with components of social identity, such as job and family life, but it is also explained as something more. It is the concept of finding meaning in all you are doing in life. Interests, relationships, public service and traveling all contribute to your ikigai.

Ikigai is frequently connected with a Venn diagram depicting the points where the following elements overlap:

  • What you love
  • What you are good at
  • What the world needs
  • What you can be paid for

THE DIFFERENT SPHERES OF IKIGAI

WHAT YOU LOVE

This sphere contains everything we do or encounter in life that offers us the most joy and helps us feel the most lively and satisfied. What matters is that we give ourselves permission to think very carefully as to what we enjoy, without regard for whether we are excellent at it, whether the world needs it, or if we can be paid to do it.

WHAT ARE YOU GOOD AT

This sphere contains whatever you are exceptionally great at, such as abilities you’ve learned, interests you’ve pursued, talents you’ve demonstrated since a young age, and so on. It’s possible that you’re excellent at something. This category includes skills or capabilities, regardless of if you are passionate about them, if the world needs them, or if you can be compensated for them.

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS

The “world” here could refer to mankind overall, a local group with whom you are in contact, or somewhere in between. Whatever the world requires may be established based on your perceptions or the requirements voiced by others. Outside one’s own needs, this area of ikigai links most directly with other people and doing good for others.

WHAT YOU CAN BE PAID FOR

This domain of the diagram also alludes to the world or society as a whole, because it involves what somebody else is prepared to pay you for. Whether you can get compensated for your interests or skills is determined by circumstances such as the condition of the economy, the demand for your passions/talents, and so on.

A “balance point” in this ikigai diagram would thus include something that you are passionate about, are also skilled at, that perhaps the world really needs currently, and for which you will get paid.

IN PURSUIT OF A PURPOSE

Everybody, according to the Japanese culture, possesses ikigai. It denotes the worth that one discovers in their life or the things which make one feel as though their life is worthwhile. It pertains to both mental and spiritual situations that give one the impression that their existence has meaning.

What particularly appeals to me about ikigai is its interchangeability. It is unique to each individual and recognises that the concept of “happy” is really rather complex. Ikigai, as an idea, can grow alongside you. If one route of purpose is no longer available, you may adapt, shift, and follow other pursuits with purpose. This is accommodated by Ikigai.

Even though the present really doesn’t seem right, if you do not feel genuinely valued in your current condition but have a great desire to strive towards, you will have discovered your ikigai.

We frequently measure ourselves to everyone else, and when people around us appear to be doing better than us, we might feel like losers We soon overlook what we’re aiming for and we reject our current journey. This is where I believe ikigai may truly help. When we follow the concepts of ikigai, we are brought back to ourselves, towards our own purposes, and to the road we are taking to get there. Ikigai is just as much about adjustments, difficulties, and blunders as it is about achieving the “ideal” goal of a contented existence.

The concept in itself is not innovative or revolutionary, but it’s worth remembering.

How To Practice Mindfulness In Your Everyday Life

The word “mindfulness” is talked about a lot lately, but really what exactly does it necessarily imply? Its origins may be traced back to Buddhist and Hindu beliefs, and it arose from the concepts of enlightenment and nirvana. It is defined as the practise of mindfulness and health of the body, mind, and soul. It is wellness in the sense that it extends beyond eating well and exercising; mental wellbeing, inner peace, sexual health, and so forth.

Everything seems to be quicker, noisier, and ruder nowadays. Everyone around us appears anxious and distracted, their eyes locked to their phones. In this fast-paced world, adopting mindfulness techniques on a regular basis may appear to be a difficult job, but it isn’t as far-fetched as it may appear.

Merely checking in with yourself for 10 seconds may educate us to gain clarity of body and mind, increase productivity all through the day, and empower us to take some responsibility for our mental health. Life might be difficult, but there is never too much happening on to treating yourself as a buddy to keep in touch with during the day.

Here are some ways to practice mindfulness in your everyday life:

Self-care is crucial

Self-care is a means of caring for oneself in the most fundamental ways: allowing yourself to recharge and loving yourself as you would a loved one. Everybody’s experience with mindfulness and mental clarity will differ. It could be meditation, exercising, getting a massage, writing, tidying, or something else.

This idea can also change depending on whether you are an introvert or extrovert. Knowing yourself, your tastes and preferences, and from where you draw your energy is a good first step in treating yourself as a friend.

Spend time with people who are driven and goal-oriented

Whenever it comes to becoming more conscious of your own emotional magnitude, aligning yourself with individuals who value similar habits is a wonderful place to start. Whether that’s around friends, family, or coworkers, the individuals you spend your time with have a greater effect on your everyday routines than you think. Trying to make mental check-ins a goal begins with you, but it can be a tough goal to achieve on your own.

Living mindfully benefits people near you as well as your loved ones. People can gain from exposure to this attitude if you regard yourself with care. Your good energy will wear off on them, regardless of whether they like it or not, and supply them with the compassion, love, and understanding they need.

Improve your work-life balance

When attempting to enhance your job performance, it is natural to get overly focused on your work and ignore your personal life. It is important to understand that you can seldom do better on the job if the other side is in disarray. You will feel anxious, and it will be difficult to concentrate on your task. A healthy work-life balance reduces stress and contributes to the development of a well-rounded individual.

Remember to include your personal hobbies and interests. Maintain a social life so that you have someone to share your trip with. In addition, expand or start a pastime. Taking care of plants, for example, is a fantastic way of spending time off from work. Being surrounded by nature is beneficial because it soothes the mind and stimulates creativity.

At Least 10 Minutes Every Day, Take a breath, Relax, and Repeat

Setting an alarm, pausing whatever I’m working on, closing my eyes, taking calm breaths, and using this time to really think about three things I’m thankful for on that particular day has been useful beginner-level mindfulness practices that I’ve done (and liked) in the past. It helps me to check in with myself, promotes clarity of mind, and generates a pleasant environment.

Regardless of what your views are, prayer may be a powerful technique for centering yourself, reducing stress, and assisting you in relinquishing control over things you can’t influence. It is comparable to meditation in that it demands a similar state of mind.

How To Stop The Habit Of Negative Thinking

The further we let ourselves think negatively then the more we will think negatively and it will become all the more difficult to stop that thought pattern. However, thinking positively all the time is not the answer to defeating negative thinking. It is plausible to have fewer negative thoughts and reinterpret those thoughts in a more rational way.

The way to control negative thinking so that it would not become a bad attitude about life is to understand that negative, cynical, or disparaging thoughts are common among most individuals. Being harsh on oneself isn’t the answer, and neither is finding a good response to every negative thought. If you’ve had a bad day, you can state that it was a tough day. If you have a disagreement with somebody, you could be correct in believing that they have been treating you unfairly. We don’t have to make negative ideas unacceptably common.

But, if you realise that perhaps the majority of your recent thinking has been pessimistic and it is proving to be increasingly difficult to remain cheerful or positive, it may be time to attempt to put your thoughts into balance. You surely wouldn’t want to sour every scenario by dwelling on the negative attributes. If we let negative thoughts overwhelm us, we may find it more difficult to relax, be nice to others, and be appreciative of our life experiences.

Here are some ideas to help you keep negative thoughts under control:

Allow negative thoughts to come and go

Let yourself think negatively. Resist from retorting that you must not think that way. Recognize the notion, and then just let it go. Your thoughts do not represent you or your situation. Many individuals consider their thoughts as balloons that drift away as quickly as they are formed. You don’t really have to give every thought equal value or allow it to determine every prospective circumstance.

Be actively involved in your expression of appreciation

Whatever type of day you’re experiencing, make some time to reflect on some things you’re grateful for. It could be as simple as the cup of coffee you’re sipping or the fact that it’s Friday. If you practise gratitude even when you’re not struggling, then you will be able to recall what it was you were appreciative for when things go tough.

Avoid thinking in terms of all or nothing

Extreme thinking inhibits us from dealing with each circumstance on its own terms. The constant use of terms like “never” and “always” makes it difficult for us to understand that things change with time and that we really do not wish to foresee the future. Rather, use terms like “frequently” or “sometimes.”

Keep your expectations in check

We frequently anticipate situations to go a certain way and sometimes they don’t. We are then dissatisfied, which is quite natural. Which is why we should avoid placing too many precise expectations on a particular type of result that we cannot foresee. We don’t know whether or not relationships will pan out the way in which we want them to. We can’t be sure whether a job will be a good fit for us or not. Everything might appear to be going smoothly before something unexpected happens. When we have preconceptions about just how things are going to turn out, we are much less equipped for surprises.

Letting ourselves experience all of our emotions without turning them away ensures that even if we are dissatisfied, we understand everything will turn out just fine. We can withstand a circumstance even though we are upset, unhappy, or dubious about it. Allow your ideas to linger and be deliberate in appreciating the good in your life. You’ll find that you can manage anything and that your negativity now seems to be under control.

We all have unpleasant thoughts from time to time. We’re having an awful day, and it seems like the entire universe is conspiring against us. We start believing that everything is more difficult for us, that life is unjust, or that other people do not even have our best interests at heart.

The further we let ourselves think negatively then the more we will think negatively and it will become all the more difficult to stop that thought pattern. However, thinking positively all the time is not the answer to defeating negative thinking. It is plausible to have fewer negative thoughts and reinterpret those thoughts in a more rational way.

The way to control negative thinking so that it would not become a bad attitude about life is to understand that negative, cynical, or disparaging thoughts are common among most individuals. Being harsh on oneself isn’t the answer, and neither is finding a good response to every negative thought. If you’ve had a bad day, you can state that it was a tough day. If you have a disagreement with somebody, you could be correct in believing that they have been treating you unfairly. We don’t have to make negative ideas unacceptably common.

But, if you realise that perhaps the majority of your recent thinking has been pessimistic and it is proving to be increasingly difficult to remain cheerful or positive, it may be time to attempt to put your thoughts into balance. You surely wouldn’t want to sour every scenario by dwelling on the negative attributes. If we let negative thoughts overwhelm us, we may find it more difficult to relax, be nice to others, and be appreciative of our life experiences.

Here are some ideas to help you keep negative thoughts under control:

Allow negative thoughts to come and go

Let yourself think negatively. Resist from retorting that you must not think that way. Recognize the notion, and then just let it go. Your thoughts do not represent you or your situation. Many individuals consider their thoughts as balloons that drift away as quickly as they are formed. You don’t really have to give every thought equal value or allow it to determine every prospective circumstance.

Be actively involved in your expression of appreciation

Whatever type of day you’re experiencing, make some time to reflect on some things you’re grateful for. It could be as simple as the cup of coffee you’re sipping or the fact that it’s Friday. If you practise gratitude even when you’re not struggling, then you will be able to recall what it was you were appreciative for when things go tough.

Avoid thinking in terms of all or nothing

Extreme thinking inhibits us from dealing with each circumstance on its own terms. The constant use of terms like “never” and “always” makes it difficult for us to understand that things change with time and that we really do not wish to foresee the future. Rather, use terms like “frequently” or “sometimes.”

Keep your expectations in check

We frequently anticipate situations to go a certain way and sometimes they don’t. We are then dissatisfied, which is quite natural. Which is why we should avoid placing too many precise expectations on a particular type of result that we cannot foresee. We don’t know whether or not relationships will pan out the way in which we want them to. We can’t be sure whether a job will be a good fit for us or not. Everything might appear to be going smoothly before something unexpected happens. When we have preconceptions about just how things are going to turn out, we are much less equipped for surprises.

Letting ourselves experience all of our emotions without turning them away ensures that even if we are dissatisfied, we understand everything will turn out just fine. We can withstand a circumstance even though we are upset, unhappy, or dubious about it. Allow your ideas to linger and be deliberate in appreciating the good in your life. You’ll find that you can manage anything and that your negativity now seems to be under control.

What Are Superfoods?

Superfoods are food items that are considered to be highly nutritious and hence beneficial to one’s health. They are primarily plant-based, however some include fish and dairy. Blueberries, salmon, kale, and acai are some of the few foods that have earned the “superfood” moniker. Nevertheless, there are no hard and fast rules for defining what is or isn’t a superfood.

Superfoods include a wide range of nutrients, including antioxidants, that are considered to protect against cancer. They also include good fats, that are considered to protect one against heart disease; fibre, that is believed to reduce diabetes and digestive issues; and phytochemicals, that are the compounds in plants that give plants their vivid colours and aromas and have various health advantages.

Consuming nutrient-dense foods (such as several so-called superfoods) is unquestionably beneficial. The best approach to a balanced diet, however, is to eat a variety of healthy foods in the appropriate proportions.

Some of the most common superfoods are:

BERRIES

Berries’ greater flavonoid content have been found to reduce the chances of a heart attack.  Acai berries, blueberries, raspberries, tart cherries, cranberries, and goji berries are some of the most well-known superfood berries. 

Acai berries are tiny, dark purple berries native to South America. They include 19 amino acids as well as several antioxidants. Blueberries have a high fibre, manganese, and vitamin K content. Cranberries include a flavonoid which helps reduce the incidence of urinary tract infection. Goji berries are a tiny red fruit originating from Asia that is strong in vitamin C and E, as well as a variety of flavonoids. These are commonly used in Eastern medicine for treating diabetes and hypertension as well as to promote the health of the eyes, liver, and kidneys.

SOY

Soybeans contain a high amount of isoflavones, a kind of phytochemical. Phytochemicals are substances which are naturally found in plants. According to some studies, isoflavones in soy assist in lowering the quantity of bad cholesterol in the blood.

Soy has been demonstrated in a few trials to help reduce age-related dementia. Soy isoflavones may help decrease bone degeneration and enhance bone mineral density following menopause, in addition to alleviating menstrual pain.

TEA

Tea has minimal calories, aids in water absorption, and is high in antioxidants. Catechins, which are powerful antioxidants found predominantly in green tea, have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects. According to one study, both green and white tea decreased stress levels, with white tea having an even larger effect. Green tea could possibly possess anti-arthritic properties due to its ability to reduce general inflammation.

LEAFY GREENS

Superfood leafy greens include kale, spinach, Swiss chard, beet greens, and collard greens. These foods tend to be high in vitamin A, C, E, and K, as well as several B vitamins. Carotenoids, iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium are also abundant in leafy greens.

Kale and other leafy greens are rich in fibre and water content, which aid in constipation prevention and encourage regularity as well as a healthier intestinal system.

SALMON

Salmon and other fatty fish, such as trout and herring, have high omega-3 fatty acid content, which can reduce the risk of irregular heartbeats, lower cholesterol, and prevent the formation of arterial plaque.

DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate contains a high concentration of flavonoids, according to research. Flavonoids have antioxidant properties, can actually reduce the risk of  coronary heart disease and some forms of cancer, and therefore can enhance the immune system. Cacao powder is the ingredient in chocolate that is mainly responsible for these properties.

WINE AND GRAPES

Resveratrol, a polyphenol contained in wines which has earned itself the moniker “heart healthy,” is found in the skins of red grapes. Several studies have suggested that resveratrol can help prevent diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy. Resveratrol has also been proven to be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, the alleviation of menopausal symptoms, and the improvement of blood sugar regulation. Nevertheless, large-scale human-subject research is still needed to validate these conclusions.

Although wine contains antioxidants, remember that munching on grapes provides the very same benefits as well as added fibre.

Have you been struggling from social media anxiety?

Maybe you may have been a modest social media user prior to the lockdown, but do you find yourself hooked to your phone, browsing Instagram and Facebook constantly for updates and seeking out on Whatsapp for news or a connection because of the COVID-19 issue swept over our lives? You could be struggling from social media stress without realising it.

First and foremost, recognise that this is an unusual reaction to an unprecedented circumstance. The overwhelming bulk of us have rarely been subjected to a pandemic, let alone one which necessitates such restraint. Our brain wants to make any sense of the confusion — it’s a natural human need — and we do it by gathering more and more content; therefore, the constant browsing on social media platforms.

It’s a method of relieving stress. Many make use of social media to relieve the psychological stress that has built up. People are anxious because the future appears to be ambiguous right now. It is not anxiousness with a specific objective in mind. It is a dispersed anxiousness caused by uncertainty. This type of anxiety requires a continual diversion in order to be kept under control.

As a result, we resort to social media because of its addictive qualities of providing something which captures our interest every few moments, every time we browse.

How does it affect us?

What began as a diversion strategy has evolved into a vicious mood loop in which all information, fact and fiction, serves to increase our anxiety, resulting in mood swings and irritation. It has been thoroughly investigated in study, which discovered that excessive media use dramatically increased social media anxiety and tiredness, which subsequently resulted in heightened stress.

What can we do to avoid feeling anxious as a result of social media?

  1. To combat FOMO, do this test: turn off your phone for two hours. Sure, you will have the want to glance at it every few moments, but resist. We don’t actually lose out on much by avoiding social media for a few hours, but it seems like we do since we are constantly overwhelmed with incoming news at all times.Our minds are constructed by nature to filter material so that we may apply selective attention; nevertheless, we are currently eroding that filter, that may have long-term consequences for cognitive performance.
  1. Recognize and accept your addiction. There is no point in denying that you may be hooked to social media since that is how it is built. You’re not the only one. Accepting, on the other hand, is the very first step towards reclaiming control. Remind yourself that this is a ‘fix’ every time you go for the phone. 
  1. Encourage surfing. Our impulses, especially the ones that cause us to pick up our phones, occur in waves, with each wave ranging around 20-30 minutes, regardless of whether we indulge in it or not. When you sense the need to indulge in these kind of activity, you may feel powerless if you don’t, but remember that the impulse will fade away.

When we are deprived of exterior stimuli such as socialising, commuting to work and vacationing, it is normal to resort to social media for enjoyment. But keep an eye on whether you’re just using or allowing it to dominate you.

Ways To Reduce Stress

Many individuals nowadays have lost sight of their hobbies, interests, and passions as a result of their stressful lives. As a consequence, individuals suffer from stress as a result of overwork and weariness. 

Stress is really intense. It could have a detrimental influence on both your physical and emotional health. Whenever you think, your mind is in continual contact with your body. Your ideas generate feelings and emotions, which can be impacted by environmental stresses. This demonstrates how intimately the mind and body are linked, making it critical to identify the role stress tends to play in your daily lives.

Sadly, despite the evident negative impacts of stress, many individuals continue to ignore it. Nevertheless, properly combating stress requires prioritising your own needs. It’s time for action if you’d like to reclaim your rhythm after being stressed out. 

While it is difficult to escape stress in life, you can learn how to manage it efficiently. There seem to be measures you could do to help you cope with daily pressures more effectively so you can get back into your flow easily.

1. Recognize The Sources Of Stress 

One of the primary causes of stress is a hectic and unhealthy lifestyle, however this varies from person to person. Make a list of the things in your life that are giving you stress. Is it effective? Is it a personal issue? This is the first and most important step in properly combating stress. The more you understand what causes your anxiety or concern, the better you will be able to handle or combat stress.

2. Cultivate Mindfulness

When you are worried, your brain and body’s normal reaction is to fight or flee. Meditation and breathing techniques, on the other hand, have also been shown to perform marvels in terms of stress relief and perhaps even improvement in mental health. Find a few periods of solace each day when you can relax and make some time for yourself to get through your concerns and cleanse your thoughts.

3. Prioritize self-care

Why aren’t you taking care of yourself the same way you take care of your house with regular upgrades or your car with planned maintenance? Among the most essential realisations is that no one can take more care of you than yourself. Ignoring oneself makes you increasingly vulnerable towards the dangers of stress. While scheduling time for self-care, keep the following in mind:

  • While it may seem self-evident, it bears repeating: eat well, exercise frequently, and get enough sleep. Many individuals do not realise this, yet it may have an impact on how you felt during the day. If you eat poorly and don’t get enough sleep, it’s simple to notice indications of stress in your body.
  • Many individuals feel uneasy about investing money on self-care items or services. If you have troublesome skin, arrange for a consultation with an expert who can help you clean your skin. If crystals provide you a burst of mental and physical vitality, purchase that citrine bracelet and make yourself happy

4. Rise Up and Begin Moving

Getting up and moving about is among the best methods to combat stress and feel better. Although it may be tough to find opportunities for proper exercise once you have a career and a home to look after, you should make an attempt if you’d like to regain your flow. Endorphins are hormones that make us feel good while you workout. You will feel much better on the inside if you feel happy about your physique.

5. Align Yourself with Positive People

Understand that you are not alone in your battle against stress. You should surround yourself with individuals who can help you manage your stress levels in check so it doesn’t spiral out of control. Stress may cause feelings of loneliness, so make an effort to spend more time with your loved ones. 

Seek comfort and guidance from reliable loved ones. There are also several support systems available, so if you don’t feel at ease approaching anybody about your stress issues, you can always join any of them just for added help. Spend time around individuals who make you happy and do activities which bring you joy.

It can also be difficult to determine where to start when attempting to combat stress. Although stress is a normal part of life, it may sometimes become excessive and cause physical and mental issues. Joy and comfort are within your grasp—try either of these tactics and you’ll see that you can definitely battle stress and reclaim your flow!