Mental Health: How to Become More Energetic in a World of Stress

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Burnout is real. Never have our lives been busier. From the moment you wake up in the morning to when your head finally hits the pillow, you are bombarded by a series of challenges that make your mental health suffer. You feel drained, unmotivated and settling on the couch is more than enough for your evening. Becoming more energetic in a stressful world is not only possible, but you can achieve it with a few simple steps. Let’s take a look at how you can claim back your mojo in a time when you need it the most:

Find time for sleep

Long hours, unrest and stress are all conducive to a bad night’s sleep. There’s a reason why quality sleep is so essential for your mental health and wellbeing. According to Mind, sleep and mental health are entwined. As much as mental health can affect your sleep, poor sleep can equally affect your mental health. That way, poor sleep leads to worrying, which in turn leads to poor sleep. 

“Worrying about sleep is like your mind trying to fight itself. That’s a horrible place to be.”

When you sleep, your body works to restore damaged cells and regenerate new ones. Without restorative sleep, your immune system has to work harder, as does your mind to function correctly. 

So find ways to unwind before bed. Whether that’s reading a good book, having a soak in the bath or meditating, find what makes you feel a sense of release from all the worry and stress. 

Find ways to destress

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious and ultimately stressed impacts our relationships, concentration and stops us from switching off. 

Although it is unlikely you will ever completely remove stress from your life, there are strategies you can use to boost your mental health and energy levels. By making some small lifestyle changes, you will see the positive effects sooner than you think:

• Switch off your screens – too much screen time can have a negative impact on your energy levels, cause eye strain and interfere with your neurotransmitters. So aim to reduce your screen time
• Embrace physical activity – exercise is a powerful, mood-boosting tool that many of us put on the back burner. Every time you get your heart pumping, the happy hormone, otherwise known as endorphins, swirl around your body. Whether you do an at-home HITT session, take up kickboxing, go out for a run or a walk, exercise is good for the soul!
• Talk it out – it’s easy to keep your burdens to yourself. It may even be that you don’t want to see people at all However, spending quality time with someone and talking about your worries, stresses, and fears will give you an instant energy boost.

So take some time for yourself. Self-care opens up a pathway to healing and acceptance. So when your mental health and energy levels are taking a hit, put together a “mental health toolkit” to give you all the resources you need to open up a conversation. 

Take a look at your diet

When your energy slumps, you feel tired and sluggish, and nothing seems to be going right, it’s worth having a look at your eating habits. A healthy, well-balanced diet isn’t only vital for your health and wellbeing, but it all forms part of your body’s defences. 

Essential vitamins and nutrients are mostly found in everything you put into your body. For instance, vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants available. Without it, your eyesight suffers, collagen production is reduced, and iron struggles to be absorbed by your body. Your red blood cells that carry oxygen around your system depend on it, and everything from your bones to cartilage needs it to function. You may find trying out high quality plant based compounds may help. Using health-changing formulas can help your body thrive to its full potential. Check out Activated You discounts for some money off your next purchase. 

To give your body the energy boost it needs, make sure you include these essential vitamins and nutrients in your diet:

• Vitamin C: a powerful antioxidant that is vital for keeping your immune system in check and responsible for restoring broken tissues and keeping your teeth, bones and cartilage healthy. Found in citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, potatoes, strawberries, guava, kiwis and more
• Vitamin E: another powerful antioxidant that helps your immune system fight off infection. Found in peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, broccoli, spinach and curly kale
• Vitamin D: the sunshine vitamin. Unlike the others, you may need to take vitamin D as a daily supplement to regulate immune responses. You can find it in fortified cereals, dairy products, fatty fish and is naturally enhanced by sun exposure
• Vitamin B6: strengthens your immune system and boosts new red cell production. You can find vitamin B6 in bananas, lean poultry, tuna and chickpeas
• Vitamin A: another powerful antioxidant that restores broken cells and vessels. Make sure to add carrots, pumpkin, squash and sweet potatoes to get your daily intake
• Folic acid: keeps your immune system strong and fights off fatigue! Found in leafy green veg, beans and peas. It is often taken as a supplement for those that are pregnant, are immuno-compromised or suffer from anaemia

The more varied your diet, the more likely you are to get all the mood-boosting goodness straight from the food you eat. 

Reduce your alcohol intake

Stemmed in old wives tales, people have often used alcohol to help them sleep. From a nightcap tipple to a visit to the pub, drinking regularly can interfere with your sleep quality. 

According to the Sleep Foundation, alcohol causes brain activity to slow down as it is a “central nervous system depressant.” When drunk in excess, alcohol often contributes to insomnia symptoms and can “exacerbate the symptoms of sleep apnea.” As your liver enzymes work to metabolise the alcohol as you sleep, your blood alcohol level decreases. During this process, you are more likely to experience sleep disruptions, and your sleep quality is reduced. 

Sleep, worry, stress, wellbeing and energy are all connected. By making simple lifestyle choices, you will see your energy levels increase in no time.