World Mental Health Day 2022 is an annual awareness day set by the World Federation for Mental Health.
Taking place on Monday 10th October 2022, this year's theme is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’ [i].
But keeping our mental health in check isn't just a priority for a specific period of the year, it's something we need to keep on top of all year round, especially as our mental wellbeing ties into all aspects of our lives.
At Nourished we know how important it is to care for our mental health - so we have compiled some tips and tools to help you manage your mood and get some zen in your life and home.
Exercise
It is scientifically proven that exercise can help with anxiety, sleep deprivation and mood swings [iii]. Not only will getting away from your home surroundings be a welcome escape; the participation in aerobic exercise will help to relieve tension, reduce fatigue, and lift your spirits. Plus it means you could emerge from this a more sculpted and fitter version of your former self!
Stimulate The Vagus Nerve System
You may be asking yourself, what is the vagus nerve system? Well, this is one of the cranial nerves that connect the brain to the body and is often referred to by some as a ‘secret weapon’ when it comes to tackling stress, which can have a significant impact on our mental health [ii].
Stimulating this nerve can activate a sense of relaxation in the body and tackle feelings of stress. There are a few simple ways we can stimulate this nerve, including the following:
- Humming and Laughing - which activates the vocal cords and stimulates the vagus nerve system [ii]
- Cold Water Exposure - immersing your forehead, eyes and ⅔ of cheekbones can stimulate the vagus nerve system [ii]
- Breathing Exercises - as the body only focuses on one thing at a time, thinking solely on deep breathing exercises can take the attention away from stressors [ii]
Keep a Diary
Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a great way to get to the bottom of your anxiety and help you to overcome it. Studies have shown that whether you write once a day, once a week or once a month; keeping a journal can help to understand your current state of mind and work through to improve it [iv]. It can also be an enjoyable and creative activity and will be fascinating to read back in years to come!
Keep in Touch
It is super important to keep in touch with family and friends as much as possible. If you are not able to see people in person, then Facetime and conference calls are a great way to see each other, catch up and stay connected.
Switch Off
Whilst it is vital to stay up to date with the latest news, events and things being shared on social media, being overly exposed to these sources can be overwhelming. If you are feeling it’s all a bit too much, limit yourself to how much news you re consuming and time spent on social media. Constant exposure to negativity can undoubtedly have a negative effect on our mental health, and so regulating that exposure can be beneficial.
Natural Mood Boosters
Certain super foods and vitamins have been known to help combat stress, anxiety and depression. Active ingredients such as Scutell’Up, Ashwaganhda, Maca Powder and Ginseng have a huge range of benefits, including helping to support cognitive function, reduce stress and improve energy levels.
We did a full blog post looking at Ashwagandha and its powerful stress fighting properties which you can read here.
Vitamins such as B12 and Vitamin D are also widely considered to help mood regulation and reduce fatigue. Adding natural aids such as these to your nutrition regime during this difficult time can help you to feel more yourself and get a bit of normality back in your life. Vitamin D can also be more difficult to obtain during the colder winter/darker months due to limitations in the amount of sunlight our bodies are exposed to.
How to Get Your Own Personalised Gummies at Nourished?
You can take our quick and easy quiz right now on our website and we will recommend a unique gummy stack of scientifically-backed ingredients just for you.
With millions of potential different stack combinations, you can also create your own gummy from our Lab, which will then be freshly 3D-printed by Nourished and delivered directly to your door.
Want to Learn More?
To find out more about the ingredients, research and studies mentioned in this article then click the links listed below or visit the website research page here:
[i] https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/world-mental-health-day
[ii] https://www.allied-services.org/news/2020/june/the-vagus-nerve-your-secret-weapon-in-fighting-s/
[iv] https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/journaling_to_reduce_stress
