Wellness Wednesday emails are designed to provide you with simple tools, information, and resources to encourage positive and healthy lifestyle choices. As a proud recipient of The Healthy Arizona Worksite Award, The Be Kind People Project is committed to the health and wellness of their employees, friends, and family.
Selfless Acts of Kindness
Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans will be affected by mental illness this year? October 6th marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week. Created by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, this week was established to raise awareness of mental illness in America, educate the public, and provide support.
Last May, Mental Health America created a list of 31 tips to boost mental health, and we encourage you to try at least one of these tips every day from October 6-12th to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week. Here are some of our favorites!
Activate Yourself
Getting 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise three to five days a week can help improve your overall mood! Let’s be honest, we’ve all promised ourselves that we’d be more active a few times this year. We often commit ourselves for the first couple of days and eventually fall off the wagon, but don’t stress about it! Here are some little victories that can help encourage you jump right back in and reach those goals!
- Walk it off: Next time you go shopping, park a little farther away to work in those extra steps.
- Netflix? More like Let’sFlex: Get moving AND watch your favorite shows! Walk in place, hold a plank, do some push-ups, or stretch next time you hit play.
- Pencil it in: Put your workout schedule in your calendar or set a daily reminder on your phone. Treat it like you would a meeting or appointment!
Most importantly, if you feel like it’s been a few days since your last session – forgive yourself! You’re only human. Acknowledge any effort you’ve made towards improving yourself, no matter how big or small.
Color me calm
Coloring isn’t just for kids! Take 20 minutes and walk down memory lane to help you clear your mind. Research shows that coloring activities can help relax your amygdala, which activates during stressful or scary situations.
Coloring pages also offer a creative form of mediation for those that aren’t into silent meditations. By focusing on the patterns, coloring has been shown to help individuals focus and be present on the task at hand – all while expressing their creativity! Want to join the fun? Click here for free printable coloring pages so that you can get started today!
Brain Food
Did you know that your brain uses around 20 percent of your body’s calories? That’s why it’s so important to eat smart snacks that help keep your brain healthy and provide fuel so that you can stay concentrated throughout the day. Here are some foods to start stocking up on today!
- Oily fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines are full of omega-3 fatty acids that help improve the structure of brain cells.
- Nuts and seeds like almonds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts are full of vitamin E, which protects brain cells from oxidative stress and free radicals.
- Coffee or tea can help you stay awake and process more information.
- Healthy unsaturated fats found in chia seeds, canola oil, and walnuts help reduce blood pressure, which is linked to cognitive decline.
Click here for more foods that help boost brain function!
App Spotlight – Total Brain
Created by Mental Health America, Total Brain is a mental health and fitness platform to measure the 12 brain capacities that define mental health as well as engage individuals in mental fitness programs designed to boost mental health. The app is designed to strengthen self-awareness and brain performance in and out of work. It just takes 15 minutes a day!
If you or a loved one is suffering from mental health issues, please seek professional help or visit your doctor. Click here for additional resources from Mental Health America.
For questions or more information about The Be Kind People Project, visit our website or email [email protected]!
Questions? Comments? Want to contribute to the Wellness Wednesday Bulletin?
Send your ideas to Krysta Flores at [email protected].
