Healing Our Minds, Hearts, and Spirit: The Antidote to The Dangers Of Chronic Stress

Many of us tend to put self-care last on our list of to-dos (I certainly have for much of my life, to the detriment of my own health). Work, family, friends, and the needs of others often come first. The truth is you cannot live a healthy, happy, fulfilled, and long life while neglecting to nourish your mind and spirit.

Everyone must find their own way to heal their mind, heart, and spirit. Nourishing your spirit includes cultivating a positive mindset (optimists live longer even if they are wrong!), developing self-love and self-worth, prioritizing self-care, cultivating community and meaningful relationships, practicing healthy stress-management techniques, finding support, and practicing religion or spirituality if that speaks to you.

Social connections, community, and strong relationships have been associated with increased life span, improved mental health, and improved physical markers such as blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, and inflammation.

Mindset, another feature of spiritual health, is also scientifically important. Having a sense of purpose is associated with overall well-being, improved physical and cognitive health, reduced depressive symptoms, and slower aging.

For basic stress management, here are some simple ways to prioritize self-care and reset your stress response:

• Try simple breathing practices such as Take 5: five deep breaths slowly in and out when you wake, before each meal, and at bedtime.
• Try guided meditations or yoga nidra (yogic sleep) practices daily even for 10 minutes. If you don’t have 10 minutes a day, then it’s worth taking a hard look at your life!
• Start or continue a regular yoga practice. Even 15 minutes a day of breathing and stretching can reset our nervous system.
• Try forest bathing, or what we used to call taking a walk in the woods!
• Write your deepest feelings and thoughts in a journal daily—it has been proven to lower inflammation and improve overall well-being and health.
• Build your close friend network. Start an in-person or Zoom support group to create your own safe healing environment and to share your life with all its ups and downs. Being known and seen and loved is the best medicine.
• Start an exercise and strength-training routine

Read the complete article available at Thrive Global!

Reflection:

Do you struggle with chronic stress?

#Stress #Self-care #Mindfulness

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