Busy women are often inundated with tons of things that they need to do. From taking care of the kids to holding down a job or running a business, the chores and stress can seem like they’re never-ending. This consistent running around and taking care of other people can often take a toll on one’s health.
This is why every woman needs a unique set of skills that will help her perk up, recharge, and go on to achieve everything she’s set her mind to. In this article, you’ll learn some coping mechanisms that will help boost your mental health and well-being, as well as, allow you to stay in great physical condition.
Weed Out the Negatives
No matter how much you’ve achieved or how successful you are, there are times that you are plagued with uncertainty and doubt. And sometimes, there are valid reasons for these doubts. For example, you’re worried about getting pregnant again.
So, what do you do when you have these concerns? Well, you can either panic or focus on what you can control –which is your mind. Ask yourself: how can I mitigate these outcomes? This automatically puts you in a problem-solving mind-state instead of a worry-filled state.
Then, start listing the positives as well as what you can do. For instance, using the example above, instead of worrying about being intimate with your partner, you can simply talk to your gynecologist about possible contraceptives like IUD contraception, contraceptive pills, contraceptive rings, implants, and other options.
Take a Break
A break can be something as simple as a 5-minute meditation or breathing exercise to recharge your mind and body. This is why it is important to sometimes, unplug and reset. With 40 percent of adults reporting feelings of depression and anxiety, being able to control your mind can lead to tremendous benefits.
For instance, studies have shown that even short 5-10 minutes of practicing mindfulness and meditation exercises can drastically lower your anxiety levels. And even if you don’t believe in the beneficial rewards of meditation, take 5 minutes every day to just do deep breathing exercises. This will help you feel centered and in control.
Get Some Exercise
Yes, you’re busy, but the reality is you need to move physically and get your heart rate up. Exercise is the best way to do this. If you’re very busy and feel like you don’t have the time to exercise for 20-30 minutes daily, break it down into 10-minute sessions, morning, noon and evening. Even if you can’t do all three, just make sure you get some exercise as some exercise is always better than none.
Get Adequate Sleep
Women who get enough sleep –that’s 7-9 hours a day- tend to be in far better health than those who don’t. No matter how busy your schedule is, always make sure that you have adequate rest.
Lack of sleep not only increases your risk of developing high blood pressure in the future, it directly affects your cognition in the short term. This can affect your productivity and spike your stress levels –as sleep deprivation triggers increased cortisol levels.
