Emotional Wellness Month: Taking Mindful Action for a Better Well-Being
A little bit of optimism and a dose of feng shui can go a long way. October is Emotional Wellness Month, and while you may have kicked on autopilot to navigate the turbulence of a busy fall season, your emotional well-being waits for no one. That’s why we’re taking mindful action in providing tips on finding a positive balance in not only your apartment community but in all areas of your life.
According to The National Wellness Institute, “wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.” Whether you’ve just moved into your apartment community or you’re navigating the woes of adulthood, there are some surefire ways of taking attentive action toward a positive change – from laying the foundation for positive relationships to feeding your appetite with a more well-rounded diet.
Make Your Day Meaningful
“It’s better to be optimistic in our approach to life than pessimistic,” states The National Wellness Institute.
The root of optimism is something quite simple: mindfulness. Beginning your days with mindfulness means setting a deliberate intent. This doesn’t mean you have to wake up in a chipper mood every single day, but that you can actively assess and communicate your feelings – whether it be to yourself or someone else – in hopes of finding a sense of meaning so you can then move forward.
According to The National Wellness Institute, “recognizing awareness and acceptance of one’s feelings” is a positive way to enforce emotional wellness. But what are some ways to achieve wellness beyond practicing mindfulness? A few simple things that can help you carve out your path to an approved emotional state of being include:
- Laughing with friends, be it at a party, on the phone or out at dinner
- Accepting mistakes from the previous day
- Writing in a journal first thing in the morning
- Setting priorities and goals
Find Connection in Your Community
Laying down the foundation for positive relationships is another way to achieve emotional wellness. Cutting ties with toxic people or saying no to plans is perfectly suitable for leading a stress-free life. However, with the expanding use of social media and the ability to suffer from a common case of “FOMO” (fear of missing out), it’s important to challenge yourself – another tactic in improving emotional wellness – to make connections with people around you.
You don’t have to be extremely extroverted to get involved either. According to healthyplace.com, “emotionally healthy people connect with others in meaningful ways. Introverts and extroverts alike connect with others to share experiences.”
You don’t have to plunge into the role of someone who is always available, but small interactions with people in your apartment community, workplace or even the grocery store are the perfect place to start. Say hello, get involved in community events and strive to meet people whose goals and ambitions align with your journey to a better self.
Eat, Drink and Sleep Well
Emotional wellness is often, if not always, influenced by what we are putting into our bodies. The more junk food you eat, the worse you are expected to feel. So ditch the fast-food joints and consider reorganizing your grocery list and taking it to your local farmers market. Adding fresh greens, fruits and energy-infused foods will not only approve your physical health, but your mental health, too.
As you get older, your vitamin intake becomes more and more crucial to your overall health as well. Low on energy? Consider taking some B-12 vitamins. If you’re struggling with digestive issues, consider a probiotic. But don’t forget to wash it down with a tall glass of water. If you’re really trying to achieve optimal wellness, follow the easy 8x8 rule when it comes to drinking water. Eight 8-ounce glasses of water would be sufficient for making sure you’re hydrated.
You’re going to want to make sure you’re sleeping well. Eight hours is the recommended amount of sleep to get a full night’s rest. When you mix these three key ingredients together, you’re going to improve your emotional and physical health.
Practice Good Physical Health
Exercise has been known to really get your endorphins going. Along with challenging yourself to meet new people, challenging yourself to practice good physical health will also be huge in maintaining emotional wellness.
Check to see if your apartment community offers a fitness center. Some communities may offer yoga and other fitness classes, perfect for getting your heart pumping while also being a common ground for meeting new people. However, if you’re nervous about working out with others or feel like you need to build some strength before taking your skills to the gym, fear not.
Purchasing equipment for your apartment is a great way to maintain physical health while also keeping you in the right mindset. Invest in a pullup bar, yoga mat, medicine ball and free weights to start small. You’d be surprised with how handy your furniture becomes when it’s time to work your biceps and calves.
Take your exercise outdoors, when the weather is nice. If your apartment community has a nearby trail or is positioned in a vibrant neighborhood, lace up your shoes and hit the pavement. Welcoming fresh air and positive endorphins to your routine will kickstart the healthy lifestyle you desire.
A Scented Living Space
There’s a reason why candles are so enticing. You get this warm, fuzzy feeling when you smell the first fall and wintery scents, but why? According to Everyday Health™, “scent can have a powerful, almost primitive influence on our mood.”
Your apartment is your humble abode, your sanctuary. Of course, you would want to fill it with refreshing, familiar and enticing scents. And, if you’re wise, you might even throw in some scents that can improve your health and happiness. Try out an oil diffuser, not to be mistaken with a humidifier or purifier, that pumps oil-infused air into your spaces. Oils can provide a positive impact on your living areas. Geranium helps with anxiety, while lemon oil provokes cognition. Lavender scents are great for relaxation, while peppermint stimulates the brain, making it easier for you to wake in the morning.
Scents are a great way to enhance your apartment spaces, but you could also consider the art of placement, decluttering a little bit, adding some plants and experimenting with pops of color that make you eager to come home at the end of a long day.
Stay Hopeful During the Holidays
Emotional wellness tends to take a back seat during the holidays. You’re so caught up in what to wear to the tacky sweater party or how to dodge questions from your favorite aunt that you forget that your mental health comes first. With the holidays right around the corner, you definitely want to keep a few things in mind when strapping on your fall boots and bringing out the cozy sweaters.
Say no to plans. It’s OK to avoid a couple of parties if it means it gives you time to catch up with yourself. Stay in your groove. Make sure you’re staying on top of your passions, even after all the apple cider is consumed. Listen to music. Whether it be holiday tunes or your favorite album from when you were a kid, music will make getting through the holidays a lot easier. Learn to appreciate the time with family and friends, and do not fear memory lane. Looking back sometimes can help you move forward.
In October and beyond, make sure to practice positive interactions with yourself and others to achieve your desired level of emotional wellness. Practice good health, build formative relationships and make sure to be mindful of your space and actions.
The National Wellness Institute reminds us that, “applying a wellness approach can be useful in nearly every human endeavor.”
Find emotional wellness in your next Greystar apartment.
The information presented on or through this Website is made available solely for general information purposes. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such materials by you or any other visitor to this Website, or by anyone who may be informed of any of its contents. Any reference to amenities, services, rules, policies, or procedures at a Greystar apartment community is general in nature, and each Greystar apartment community may have amenities, services, rules, policies, and procedures that differ from those referenced on this Website. Please consult with your Greystar apartment community for the exact amenities, services, rules, policies, or procedures applicable.
This Website may include content provided by third parties, including materials provided by other users, bloggers, and third-party licensors, syndicators, aggregators, and/or reporting services. All statements and/or opinions expressed in these materials, and all articles and responses to questions and other content, other than the content provided by Greystar, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the person or entity providing those materials. These materials do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Greystar. We are not responsible, or liable to you or any third party, for the content or accuracy of any materials provided by any third parties.
