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Prioritize Your Mental Well-being For The New Year 2023

The onset of 2023 will definitely bring dramatic changes to every individual. While everyone is busy setting new goals and resolutions,I can't emphasis the importance of prioritizing your own well being enough. Amid these changing times,one thing you can be certain of is yourself and your own ability to respond to the challenges you face. All you can control is how you react to situations you are in and that can make a difference. Put your well being front and center and everything else will follow.

 You will make better decisions in every aspect of your life by staying healthy and lowering your stress level and on the other hand you will think more clearly and have more energy, meaning you will do things more effectively,think more creatively and come up with better situations to the challenges you face. 

Prioritize your own well being and learn how to best manage high stress situations. Here are some choices that will help you achieve optimal mental, physical and emotional wellbeing;
1. USE A STRESS REDUCTION TECHNIQUE
You are bound to experience stress but it doesn't have to take over. -lmplement a daily meditation routine to help keep yourself emotionally centred. Be patient. It takes some time to truly quiet your mind and reap the full benefits although you may start experiencing a calmer state of mind fairly soon.
-Talk through challenges with a mentor or a trusted friend. Rather than keeping your feelings bottled up, acknowledge them to someone you trust then discuss how to handle them, seeking input from the other person.
-Keep a journal of how you navigate tough challenges and moments of stress, you will then have a clear example of how you have handled difficult situations.

2. CONNECT WITH LOVED ONES, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS.
If you are feeling isolated - a common theme for many of us these days - reach out to those you care about even if you can't visit in person. Talk by phone or video chat with relatives you haven't seen for a long time. Stay connected with friends and coworkers even while working remotely,talking about how you manage the challenges you are facing. You will remain a strong team by supporting each other with ideas for how to navigate the changes you are going through.
3. LIMIT YOUR NEWS CONSUMPTION
Watch or read the news at a specific time in the day or night and then focus on other things. While it's important to know what's happening in the world, dwelling on the negative for too long can lead to feelings of hopelessness not to mention alot of wasted time.

4. EAT WELL
Try out a new recipe that you have been wanting to test out. Have themed dinner nights where the whole family helps to cook. Make sure you are eating balanced meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner to boost your immunity and overall wellbeing. Give your body the fuel it needs for optimal mental and physical functioning
5 . GET PLENTY OF SLEEP
Now ,it's maybe the time to indulge In a bit more sleep than usual. If you have been pushing yourself to the limits and sacrificing sleep, Change that now. Get full night of sleep- maybe even a little extra now and then.
6 . GET MOVING
Get your body moving and your mind and health will benefit. Go walking or jogging or get out and go for a hike with the family/friends. You will find you have more mental clarity and feel better physically when you maintain an active lifestyle.Take  breaks during the day to move around and stretch.
7. TRY SOMETHING NEW
This could be trying to read books, making new friends, trying new projects, trying doing new recipes, trying to do a different career or even trying to listen to a different taste of music. This enhances your mental well being and tends to ignite how your body is functioning. On the other hand it's important to try being a different person, this simply means being the best version of yourself, being more kind,more humble,more hardworking,more loving ,more beautiful, name it all.
As we all are ready to embrace 2023, let's also embrace every change in our lives. Let's get connected to our inner selves ( connection to our inner child). Let's prioritize our mental health.

There is no health without mental health.


Article by : Faith Mwangi, Psychologist.

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