Feeling Overwhelmed? Try the RAIN Meditation

Feeling Overwhelmed? Try the RAIN Meditation

You can take your time and explore the RAIN meditation as a stand – alone practice or move through the steps in a more abbreviated way whenever challenging emotions arise. Source: Mindful.org When I was in college, I went off to the mountains for a weekend of hiking with an older, wiser friend of twenty-two. After setting up our tent, we sat by a stream, watching the water swirl around rocks, talking about our lives. At one point she described how she was learning to be “her own best friend.” A wave of sadness came over me, and I broke down sobbing. I was the furthest thing from my own […]

The 1 Thing Sleep Doctors Never, Ever Do In The Morning

The 1 Thing Sleep Doctors Never, Ever Do In The Morning

This habit may seem harmless, but it can really mess with your entire day (and night!). Source: Huffpost You’ve likely heard that a good night of sleep starts in the morning, and sleep experts agree with this statement wholeheartedly. This is because of our circadian rhythm, or our body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, which is a 24-hour process. “The circadian rhythm, your internal biological clock, operates on a roughly 24-hour cycle and dictates when you feel awake or sleepy, largely influenced by light exposure,” explained Dr. Chester Wu, a double-board certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist. “Health behaviours in the morning reinforce a strong circadian rhythm, promoting wakefulness during the day and sleepiness […]

Mental Health and Sleep

Mental Health and Sleep

Source: Sleep Foundation Org Most people know firsthand that sleep affects their mental state. After all, there’s a reason it’s said that someone in a bad mood “woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” As it turns out, there’s quite a bit of truth behind this colloquial saying. Sleep is closely connected to mental and emotional health and has demonstrated links to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other conditions. Research is ongoing to better understand the bidirectional relationship between mental health and sleep. Both are complex issues affected by a multitude of factors, but, given their close association, there is strong reason to believe that improving sleep can […]

What Does It Really Take to Build a New Habit?

What Does It Really Take to Build a New Habit?

Our habits govern our lives, literally. Research shows that around half of our daily actions are driven by repetition. This is probably why behavioral scientists and psychologists have spent so much time writing about how to establish and keep positive habits. Source: Harvard business review Regular sleep and exercise, a healthy diet, an organized schedule, and mindfulness are just a few examples of practices that –  if done regularly – can improve our work, relationships, and mental health. But what if those things don’t come naturally to you? What does it take to build a new habit? While there are plenty of hacks on the internet competing to answer these […]

Morning Routine: Benefits & Tips For Creating an Energizing Daily Ritual

Morning Routine: Benefits & Tips For Creating an Energizing Daily Ritual

So you want to find the perfect morning routine, but you’re not sure where to start. Maybe you’re not a “morning person” (yet), but want to explore what that may look like for you. Or perhaps you feel like your morning routine is chaotic and disorganized, and want to seek ways to regain order at the start of your day. Source: ClickUp Whatever your reason for wanting to set a morning routine, creating one that fits your lifestyle will be the key to finding and maintaining a solid morning routine – and one you actually enjoy having! Wouldn’t be nice to start your days feeling refreshed and energized to take […]

Dementia Experts Reveal 7 Rules You Should Follow To Keep Your Mind Sharp

Dementia Experts Reveal 7 Rules You Should Follow To Keep Your Mind Sharp

Adopt these habits and your brain will thank you. More than 55 million people across the globe have dementia, which describes a cluster of symptoms ― such as memory loss, overall cognitive impairment and psychological changes ― as well as specific conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, according to the World Health Organisation. Cases continue to grow at alarming rates, with about 10 million people developing dementia each year. Source: Huffspot This underscores the importance of brain health, an umbrella term that emphasises the wellness of all cognitive skills and abilities. Dr. Zaldy Tan, director of the Maxine & Bernard Platzer Lynn Family Memory & Healthy Aging Program at Cedars-Sinai, explained that “brain health is the state […]

How to start journaling for mental health: 7 tips and techniques

How to start journaling for mental health: 7 tips and techniques

Did you know one of the most powerful self-improvement activities is right at your fingertips? No, it’s not working out or having good sleep hygiene. It’s something even simpler — learning how to start journaling. Although it’s been around for thousands of years, journaling is currently having a moment in the limelight. From self-help blogs to famous authors like Deepak Chopra, everyone is talking about the life-changing benefits of learning how to journal. Source: BetterUp Despite its recent soar in popularity, this isn’t just a new-age self-help trend. If practiced consistently, it can transform your mental fitness, emotional well-being, and even physical well-being. Let’s explore the importance of keeping a journal and how […]

10 ways to boost your self-esteem in less than 10 minutes

10 ways to boost your self-esteem in less than 10 minutes

Everyone has days when they don’t feel their best. It’s normal. But, did you know that you can boost your self-esteem quickly? And it only takes less than ten minutes! I’m going to share ten easy but strong ways to lift your self-esteem right away. These tips won’t just make you feel good right now, they’ll also help you feel more confident in the long run. Source: HackSpirit 1. Positive Self-Talk The first step is all about the power of words – your words. The way you talk to yourself matters a lot. Negative self-talk can bring you down, while positive self-talk can lift you up. Here’s how to do […]

15 Foods That Boost the Immune System

15 Foods That Boost the Immune System

Regularly eating a variety of nutritious foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as citrus fruits and spinach, can help boost your immune health. Source: Healthline Immune System Boosters Feeding your body certain foods may help keep your immune system strong. If you’re looking for ways to prevent colds, the flu, and other infections, your first step should be a visit to your local grocery store. Plan your meals to include these 15 powerful immune system boosters. Food Fix: Immune System Boost 1. Citrus Fruits Most people turn straight to vitamin C after they’ve caught a cold. That’s because it helps build up your immune system. Vitamin C is thought to increase the production […]

Best Yoga Poses for Better Sleep

Best Yoga Poses for Better Sleep

Having trouble calming your mind and body before bed? Try these gentle yoga stretches for a good night’s rest. Here are the best yoga poses for sleep. Source: Cnet How often do you have trouble falling asleep at night because your mind is still racing from the day and worrying about the next? You aren’t alone, and luckily, there are plenty of tricks that can help me at bedtime (such as reading, drinking a hot cup of herbal tea or journaling). But if those tips aren’t enough, and you’re still struggling to get some shut-eye, try practice a few yoga poses to try to get to sleep. For more natural ways to get better sleep, try these seven […]