5 Steps To Take To Boost Your Mental Health

    Recently, mental health awareness has grown in leaps in bounds. People are more sensitive to mental health and illness and are willing to engage in talks to promote their solution. It would help to be careful about your mental health by learning how to care for and improve your mental health.

 

    Sound mental health - the engine that drives your body's functionality- is vital for your daily sanity and organization. Therefore, you need to take stringent measures to ensure your mental health is always in tip-top form. Though it might be hard to achieve this condition due to the daily challenges and stresses of life, you can take various precaution measures that will help you balance your life and maintain a stress-free life.

 

Understand Yourself

    Many people are ignorant of knowing who they are: it is shocking to learn that even most adults cannot describe themselves. You need to learn and examine yourself to know your strengths and weaknesses.

    Spending time alone will most likely help you to learn more about yourself and your "inner voice". It is an excellent time to look yourself in the mirror and ask some tough questions that will help you discover yourself. Once you know your triggers and the place where you can find your peace, it will be easier for you to identify and deal with any issue that arises.

 

Acknowledge Your Struggles

    You should be honest with yourself and pick out factors that trigger your mental stresses. If you cannot find the courage to seek these triggers, you can see a therapist who will help you bring these issues to the surface. Talking about these issues will help you tackle them and get them off your back.

 

Speak Out

    You can also find a confidant or a therapist who will help you get your daily stresses off your mind and chest. When choosing your confidant, who can double up as your partner, ensure you choose one with good listening skills.

    Please do not hold on to issues that are weighing you down. Try to solve the issues or forget about them. Though it may be hard to let go, it is necessary to take this step for the good of your mental health.

 

Refresh Your Mind

    You need to ensure you find a way of refreshing your mind. People often use workouts, yoga, hikes, nature walks, and training to relax after work. It takes your mind off your stresses and teaches you how to be calm and patient within the storm.

    You can also try taking personal trainer courses that will help you to impact your workouts and relaxing moments positively. By learning these trainer courses, you will be able also to form and head smaller workout groups in which you can share and improve each other’s lifestyle.

 

Find Your Calm Place

    For you to survive the numerous daily hustles, you need to identify your 'calm place'. It is a place where you can recollect yourself by dealing with your current stressful situation or deciding to let go. It can be an activity, a person, a game, or a simple conversation that resets your moods and feelings back to normal.

 

    In conclusion, you should strive to know how to care for your mental health. It is an essential life skill that will help you maintain sanity and calmness in your life.

Lockdown Workout Ideas

   With January being the traditional yearly workout boom and the impact of yet another lockdown in the UK, it means that many people who are starting new fitness goals need to think outside the box and look for other ways to work out as opposed to signing up for a gym membership.

   Not being able to hit the gym shouldn't put you off finding ways to workout and motivate yourself. Far from it, it means you have to be more inventive when it comes to finding workouts you enjoy and can do within the constraints of a national lockdown.

C25K

   Couch to 5K is a popular app that helps people get off the couch and move more. Aimed at getting you into running in a gentler, easier way, the C25K apps available for both Apple and Android phones can help you to move more without the pressure to be at the top of your game instantly.
   For this, you will need some suitable equipment to get you started. Headphones to listen to the app each day. Suitable running trainers and comfy clothing. Some people may find they need to use suitable eyewear especially for the low winter sun so investing in running sunglasses or even just getting replacement oakley lenses for your existing sunglasses to help you combat the glare from the sun when you are out.

Walking

   Head out to your local beauty spots for a walk. Download a playlist, podcast or even movies and tv shows to listen to on your walk, but using what is free and available in your local area will not only allow you to get out when everywhere else is closed but to also get some much-needed exercise, clear your head and regain fitness levels too. Make a list of everywhere you can reasonably explore while staying local and then make it your aim to visit as many as possible.

Online Exercise Programmes

   Joe Wicks is undoubtedly the UK's favourite PE teacher right now. and the good news is, you can join in even without children, or you can head to his Youtube channel to check out his many free workout videos to follow each day.
   If Joe isn't your cup of tea, then searching online for free workout programmes will throw up a plethora of options for you to choose from and allow you to get moving. From free dance classes, yoga, pilates and the more vigorous HIIT workouts, you will be spoilt for choice. All you need is some motivation to actually get going and you're on your way!


Open Water Swimming

   This activity has been booming since the closure of many local swimming pools. There are many health benefits of open water swimming and you will likely find many individuals and clubs in your coal area you can join to get you started. In the winter, it takes a brave soul to dip their toes into the cold waters of the UK coastline and waterways. However, once you have gotten over that initial shock you can take part in a swim treading water or simply enjoying the feeling of being out in the open water.

Could Rollerblading Help You Meet Your Fitness Goals?

Motivation is the number one barrier that stands in the way of your fitness goals. So many people start out with good intentions but after a month or two, they struggle to keep up with their exercise routine.

 

There are a few simple things you can do to motivate yourself, but the best way to achieve long term fitness goals is to find a form of exercise that you love. If you force yourself to go running everyday even though you hate it, your fitness routine quickly becomes a chore. But if you find something that you enjoy, exercise is a hobby rather than something you force yourself to do. 

 

If you are looking for fun exercise options, have you considered inline skates? Rollerblading might seem a bit retro, but it’s actually a brilliant way to look after your health. These are some of the great reasons to get into rollerblading if you want to stay fit.

 

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It’s Great Cardio

Cardiovascular exercise is so important if you want to burn calories and lose weight. If you hate running, rollerblading is a brilliant alternative. If you read this guide on how to buy the perfect pair of inline skates and get a high performance pair, you can build up a good amount of speed. You'll burn plenty of calories and work up a sweat and it’s way more fun than running. In fact, a lot of people use inline skates as a way to get around instead of cycling or walking. 

On average, you will burn around 250 calories from half an hour of skating, so if you do 4 short sessions a week, you can burn 1000 calories, which makes a significant difference if you are also managing your diet well.

It’s Brilliant For Toning Muscle
 

Most people start a fitness routine because they want to lose weight and tone muscle. The good news is, rollerblading is great for both. As you would expect, rollerblading requires a lot of work from your legs, so you will tone your thighs, calves, and glutes. But you also have to engage your core to balance yourself, and engage your arms when turning. After a month or two, you will notice a huge improvement in your muscle tone all over your body.

It’s Safer Than Running

 

You might assume that rollerblading is far more dangerous than running because you are way more likely to fall. That is true and when you first start out, your risk of injury is greater than it is when you run. But you have to remember that you can still fall while you’re running and once you get used to rollerblading, it is actually a lot safer. Running is a very high impact exercise and many people experience knee and ankle injuries

Rollerblading might seem like a bit of a strange way to stay in shape, but it’s so effective, so why not give it a try?

4 General Life Goals We Should All Set Ourselves

It’s important to have goals in life, and everybody will have different goals depending on the things they value most. For example, some people have very specific career goals, while others prefer to pursue goals outside of work. However, there are certain aspirations that we should all have because they help to improve our lives and make it easier to meet our own specific goals. 

 

We are approaching the end of the year, so now is the perfect time to start thinking about your goals for the future. These are some of the most important life goals that everybody should work towards. 

 

 

Improving Mental and Physical Health

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Looking after your health is one of the most important goals for all of us. As you get older and your risk of illness and injury increases, you have to work harder to stay healthy. If you start getting into good habits now, it will be much easier to sustain this in later life and you will live a much longer and happier life as a result.

But looking after your health isn’t just about avoiding illness, it’s about giving yourself the energy and drive to achieve your other goals. Staying fit and healthy can completely transform your life because you are more driven and your mindset is much more positive. When you are physically healthy, you will have far more motivation, making you more likely to reach your personal goals in life.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health and looking after yourself mentally requires work, but we don’t always realize this. If you want to stay in shape, you have to eat well and exercise regularly, and the same amount of work needs to go into your mental health. It’s important to set aside time to relax and reduce stress and make sure that you are aware of your mental health. Feelings of anxiety or low self-esteem can hold you back in life and prevent you from reaching your full potential, which is why everybody should aim to improve their mental health as much as possible.

Achieving Financial Freedom

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Everybody has different opinions about money. Some people are very financially driven and their goals revolve around moving up the career ladder so they can earn as much as possible. Other people are less concerned about getting rich and their career goals are focused on enjoyment and fulfillment instead. However, even if you are not worried about earning loads of money, you should still aspire to achieve financial freedom.

 

When you are living paycheck to paycheck and you don’t have any savings in the bank, it is much harder to reach your other goals in life. You won’t be able to buy property or travel the world, for example. If you decide that you want to change careers and you need to retrain, that’s a lot harder to do if you don’t have the finances to take a break from working.

 

Being in a bad financial position can have a huge impact on your mental health as well, especially if you have a lot of debts. Achieving financial freedom will have a very positive impact on your stress levels, and it will open up a lot of doors for you. So, start thinking about savings and investments for the future as soon as possible because the earlier you get started, the easier it will be to manage your finances properly, especially when you eventually retire. 

 

Finding Hobbies

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As an adult, it’s easy to spend all of your time thinking about work and family responsibilities, which is why finding new hobbies is a great life goal for all of us. When your entire life revolves around your responsibilities, you never have any time for yourself and it’s likely that you will burn yourself out. If you want to live a full, rounded life, it’s important that you have things that are just for you. Hobbies are a great way to blow off steam and reduce stress, and they bring meaning to your life outside of work.

 

If you don’t have any hobbies, start by thinking about the things you used to enjoy before life got in the way. Many people have hobbies as a teenager or young adult, and then they go out of the window when work gets busy or they start a family. Why not try picking up those old hobbies and see if you still enjoy them? Alternatively, think about things you have always wanted to do but always put off because you didn’t have time. It doesn’t matter what your hobbies are, but you should aim to find some new interests to bring more balance to your life. 

 

 

Family Relationships

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Family relationships are another thing that often gets neglected when life gets busy. So many people regret not spending time with their family when they had the chance, which is why prioritizing your family relationships is a great goal for all of us. Make an effort to reach out to family members that you don’t speak to very often, and try to improve your work-life balance so you have more time to spend with family.

 

Settling family disputes is so important as well. Arguments that started over something relatively small can cause rifts that last for years to come, even though everybody involved has forgotten about what they were arguing about in the first place. If there are disputes in your family and certain family members aren’t talking to each other, make an attempt to patch things up sooner rather than later. In most cases, people come to regret all of the lost time, so don’t wait around. If you are involved in an argument with family, don’t let pride get in the way of apologizing and patching things up because you will regret it further down the line.

 

When people set life goals, they often think about specific things, like their career. However, these general life goals are important for all of us because they will help to unlock your full potential and achieve your own specific goals.

Guide to Birthstones

 

   A lot of people believe that wearing their birthstone will give them good luck and protect them. Ancient civilisations even thought that these stones have magical powers. Although at first gems were associated with zodiac signs, in time they became associated with calendar months. Today people wear all types of stones, regardless of their month of birth. If you wish to find out what your birthstone is and what powers it supposedly has, read the following list.

January - Garnet
   If you are a January baby, garnet is your birthstone. This gem comes in every colour except blue, so you can find a green, pink, and orange garnet amongst others. It reportedly gives its wearer protection from nightmares and cures snake bites and food poisoning.

February - Amethyst
   This variety of quartz comes in pale lilac to deep purple hues. It is also a durable stone and comes in all shapes and sizes. It is believed that amethyst prevents intoxication and is a symbol of peace, protection and tranquillity. Since royals have always loved the colour purple, this gem was often worn by ancient Greeks and Egyptians, and can even be found in the British Crown Jewels.

March - Aquamarine
   Due to its sea blue color it is said that this stone protects sailors, which makes it an ideal gift for someone who often goes on cruises. Wearing aquamarine should bring you love and affection and it is a symbol of youth, hope, and health.

April - Diamond
   It is not a coincidence that engagement rings usually contain diamonds. This stone has been the traditional symbol of love since ancient Greece. Most people are familiar with colourless diamonds, but there are also coloured ones that come in green, red, pink, blue, canary yellow and amber hues. They are more expensive than regular ones.

May - Emerald
   The famous green stone supposedly cures poor eyesight and infertility and even helps the wearer to predict the future. If you wish to own this gem, make sure you properly protect it from scratches, sharp blows, and household chemicals.

June - Pearl
   This gorgeous product of oyster's defence mechanism over bacteria (not a grain of sand!) comes in a wide range of colours. It is a symbol of modesty, chastity and purity.

July - Ruby
   Beautiful red stone is known as the "Lord of the Gems" because of its rarity and it is said that it protects its wearer from all kinds of misfortune. You can find more information on this gem on https://moonmagic.com/blogs/news/july-birthstone

August - Peridot
   People born in August should wear peridot as an amulet against all evil. It has a lively lime green colour and is available in larger sizes.

September - Sapphire
   Although blue sapphire is very popular, this gem comes in other colours such as pink, green, orange, and golden yellow. Interesting fact – Princess Diana’s engagement ring was with a blue sapphire. In the past it was believed that this gem refused to shine when worn by the wicked.

October - Opal
   While white opal has a white body colour with flashes of various colours black opal has a dark body with vivid flashes of colour. It is a symbol of hope, innocence, and purity and medieval writers believed this gem could make its wearer invisible when needed. One gem to rule them all!

November - Topaz
   The most popular topaz is a golden yellow gemstone, but it also comes in other colours, such as red, light green, blue, and pink. The Greeks believed that this stone restored sanity, cured asthma, gave strength and relieved insomnia.

December - Turquoise
   When it comes to turquoise, colours range from sky blue to blue-green and apple green. This gem was used in the 16th century as currency by the Southwest Indians who believed that it could bring winnings to the warrior, animals to the hunter, and happiness to everyone.

Would you wear your birthstone?
I certainly would - but I adore garnets, anyway!