8 Ways to Celebrate National Wellness Month

By: Christine Bean

August is National Wellness Month, and it’s a perfect time to focus on taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Especially during these stressful times, it’s important to make self-care, healthy eating, and stress management a priority in order to feel better than ever! Make it a goal to try one of these 8 ways to boost your wellness each day.

1. 1. Exercise. Just 30 minutes of exercise per day can be a major mood-booster. Not only does it benefit your mental health, it keeps you at a healthy weight, gives you more energy, and assists with pain management.
   2. Drink more water. Hydration is so important for your body, especially during these hot summer months. Water helps transport nutrients to give you energy, and even lubricates your joints. It’s the key to digestion, clearer skin, and even weight loss!
   3. Spend time outside. Fresh air can do a mind and body good, especially if you’re exercising outdoors. Spending time in nature can improve your memory, lower your blood pressure, and boost your mood.
   4. Practice deep breathing.  Stress and anxiety can impact your breathing without you even realizing it, causing you to take shallow breaths, or even holding your breath for a period of time, causing your body to tense-up.  Practicing deep breathing techniques, and concentrating on breathing from your diaphragm, can make a big difference.
   5. Get enough sleep. Sleep is a huge factor in our mental and physical well-being. Getting an adequate amount of sleep each night helps keep your weight in check, your risk of depression and anxiety low, your memory sharp, your immune system strong, and so much more.
   6. Take a social media break. With information constantly being thrown at us via social media, it’s important that we take time each day to disconnect from technology in order to boost our mental and physical health. A digital detox can help with anxiety, sleep, mood, and lots more. Aim to put your phone away one hour before bedtime to allow your brain to wind-down before falling asleep.
   7. Call a friend or family member. Now that social distancing is part of our daily lives, it’s more important than ever to stay connected to those we love. Friends and family play a huge role in our mental health, and social connection can be an instant mood-booster. Make it a goal to call or video chat with someone important to you every day, even if it’s just for 5 minutes!

   8. 

      Cut back on sugar and load up on fruits and veggies. The average American consumes 22 teaspoons of sugar each day, and much of it is hidden in salad dressings, alcohol, coffee creamer, etc. Sugar depletes your energy and makes you feel tired and grumpy (afternoon slump anyone?)  If you have a sweet tooth, you can still satisfy it by swapping your sugary sweets for juicy peaches, plump blueberries, or MightyMeals’ Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Your body and mind will thank you for it!