Stay Hydrated
We at BOS, Haworth Best In Class, know that every part of the human body needs water to function. The brain, in particular, contains three-fourths water. Dehydration can affect concentration, cognition, and emotion. Though it is important to stay hydrated, there is no specific amount of water you should drink each day. In general, it is commonly recommended to drink eight, eight-ounce glasses a day. But it is possible to drink too much water. So, check with your doctor to see about how much you should be drinking.
Exercise
Don’t underestimate the importance of exercise if you want a healthy mind. Doctors recommend participation in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day. Because when you elevate your heart rate, you increase the blood flow to your brain. Through this, your brain receives more oxygen, and your body releases chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins that work to reduce stress and relieve anxiety. Exercise can also sharpen your memory. It can give you more energy during the day and help you sleep better at night.
Eat and Drink Smart
A healthy diet can help support brain health. High-quality foods that contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals will keep your brain sharp and your body nourished. But diets that contain high amounts of sugar can actually be harmful to the brain by disrupting memory formation.
Alcohol and caffeine are mood altering drugs. While caffeine speeds up messages between the brain and body, alcohol slows them down. Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the brain’s neurons. So, to maintain a healthy mind consume alcohol and caffeine in moderation or avoid these substances entirely. And if you find your thinking more restless than usual, consider cutting back on your caffeine intake.
Be Supportive
Human connection is an important factor in creating a happy and healthy mind. As humans, we need community to survive. We feel awkward, stressed, and even threatened if we feel like we don’t belong. So, building or joining a support network will help us feel less alone as we navigate our own minds. And sharing our thoughts with trusted friends and family, will help reduce the unwanted feelings of isolation and alleviate the sense of being trapped inside your own head.
Monitor Your Thoughts
Thoughts can change you mood and alter your day, for better or for worse. But just because you thought it, doesn’t mean it is true. It can be easy to get caught up in patterns of negative thinking. You may not even realize how automatic your thoughts have become. Positive thinking takes effort. But by actively thinking positive, you will find yourself becoming happier and more capable to handle anything life throws at you.
Give Yourself Permission
Remember that it is okay to feel sad or stressed. And it is okay to not even know why you feel stressed or sad. Give yourself permission to just be. Not every feeling has to have a purpose. And not everything has to have a solution. Just know that you are not alone. There will be happier days.
