There’s no denying that life can get hectic, especially if you’re a parent, work full-time or have any other obligations. Research confirms that stress can have negative effects on your physical and mental health. However, even if you know your life is getting too chaotic, it can be hard to know where to start. Use these simple tips to improve your day-to-day life and clear your mind.
Eat Enough of the Right Foods
There’s no question that food can affect your mood, but just fueling up is only half of it. You also have to make sure you’re eating the right foods and getting all the nutrients you need. Luckily, there are many ways to get in the nutrients you need even early in the day. Depending on your specific needs, you can find ways to fuel your body that are tailored to you. If you’re a woman, for example, you may benefit from hormone balance supplements to help you feel your best.
If you’re worried about signs of aging like wrinkles and skin dryness, you may want to add a scoop of collagen peptides into your morning smoothie.
You can still get your nutrients from the right foods. Try to focus on getting in your macros of protein, healthy fats and carbs. Breakfast is especially important to boost your mood, because it can give you energy for your whole day. Meals like oatmeal, overnight oats or baked oatmeal can give you long-lasting energy due to the whole grains digesting more slowly than sugary cereals or breakfast pastries. Whole grains also help control your blood sugar levels, preventing a sudden spike with a crash later. For a savory breakfast, try eggs or egg whites. Eggs are full of protein and other nutrients, such as vitamin D. Eggs are also easily customizable, meaning you can add in healthy fats like avocados or carbs like whole grain toast.
Get Good Sleep
It’s no secret that getting the right amount of sleep can drastically affect you physically and mentally. Experts recommend between seven and nine hours, and the benefits are clear.
Sleep can improve clarity, prevent disease and aid in weight management. It may also boost your immune system and help strengthen your heart, along with helping focus and improve your mood. If you struggle to get good-quality sleep, try sticking to the same sleep schedule every day, even on weekends. Avoid caffeine or anything very sugary too close to bedtime.
You can also establish a pre-bedtime routine to help your body understand when it’s time to wind down. A routine may consist of doing a skincare regimen, drinking a cup of tea or reading a book. However, try to eliminate screen time in your bedtime routine. Blue light emitted from screens such as your laptop or smartphone can interact with your body’s ability to produce melatonin, its natural sleep hormone.
Practice Gratitude
In the event that you find yourself unhappy and unsatisfied with your life, practicing gratitude and mindfulness may be a way to change the way you think about yourself and the world around you. You can practice gratitude in multiple ways, but the most important thing is to appreciate what you have, even when it doesn’t seem like it’s worth appreciating. When you wake up in the morning, try writing down or saying out loud three things you’re grateful for. Keep them in the front of your mind as you go about your day to remind yourself what you have. Another thing you can do during the day is practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is a meditation practice and works to clear your mind, helping you to accept thoughts as they come and go and focus on your breathing.
The Final Point
Life can be chaotic and overwhelming at times, which can affect you physically and mentally. By making small changes to your day, it can help you improve your mood and create a more positive outlook to live your life to the fullest.
