The most underused medical tools for wellness
Self care is not selfish. Always remember that you can't pour from an empty vessel! Wellness has been gaining importance thankfully and it does not involve sheet masks or spa dates. Well those would not hurt either but wellness is so much more than that. You can just postpone your sadness for a quick moment with cucumber on your eyes and a foot massage but the real issue needs to be addressed. While there are innumerable ways to feel better, we should be more concerned about building a body and life that feels good from within; and not just look good.
As one of my favourite quotes say, " Motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going."
Sunlight: One really can't ignore the power of the sun. Sunlight immediately signals the brain to release serotonin, which is a mood booster and uplifter. It's simple chemistry here...tap the power of sunlight to combat anxiety and depression. And basically we all need to be in a good mood right? We Indians are blessed to have the sun shining 12 months a year; the people in cold regions suffer from SAD ie Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is due to the lack of sunlight. So apart from your daily dose of sunshine, just go out in the balcony or garden of in the terrace of your office whenever you feel off.
Sleep: Just like the power of sunshine, don't neglect the healing effect of sleep. Sleep, which is a mandatory part of lives, have been taking a backseat these days; thanks to stress, deadlines and netflix marathons. What we fail to see is that the human body is made to function in a certain way, in which sleep occupies one third of it. And yes, sleeping 8 hours in the morning after staying awake whole night doesn't help either. Because melatonin is released in the dark, which aids shut eye.
One often neglects the fact that adequate sleep at night is integral for immunity; so if you are falling sick often, you may reevaluate your routine.
Also there is an enormous therapeutic effect of naps. There's often a joke that the solution to every problem in life is to take a nap 😂 So the next time you have a fight with your spouse or face a professional setback, nap over it. You are bound to feel better..promise!
Nature: We humans are a fundamental constituent of nature; but we have shut off ourselves in closed air conditioned offices and artificial habitats. Regular interaction with nature is indispensable for mental and physical wellness.
Real food:
Real food is made with real ingredients in real time. And this means no processed food, no instant mixes and no powders. Wholesome food made with fresh fruits and vegetables, hot on the stove and not just taking it out from the freezer and heating it.
Food is thy medicine and medicine is thy food. Hippocrates just didn't say it without substantial reason. Majority of the ailments we suffer from commonly , can be cured with the right diet, on a regular basis.
Exercise:
The main misconception hovering around exercise is that it is only for weight loss, only for overweight people. NO. Exercise is one of the main pillars for a healthy, disease free life and it has got nothing to do with weight. A fat person may be far fitter than a genetically blessed thin person. Also, exercise is often looked upon as punishment; while in reality, it's a treat. Pamper yourself with workout and stretching everyday and thank me later. The endorphins released during this process lifts you up like nothing else.
Fasting:
Fasting has been an integral part of our ancient Indian healing science. All these Ekadashi Vrats, fasting on important religious occasions etc were part of detoxification in the olden times. In the modern times, naturopathy pays utmost importance to fasting.
Regular fasting(weekly/fortnightly/monthly) has been found to be beneficial in detoxification and myriads of other ailments (except if you are suffering from duodenal ulcers or other gastrointestinal disorders).
Fasting has been found helpful in reducing the risk of metabolic diseases like obesity, Diabetes, inflammation, brain diseases and even certain cancers. In a nutshell, it has been proved to increase longevity!
Meditation
One of the easiest ways to improve focus and mindfulness is to meditate. Today's world is sadly grossly suffering from distraction and lack of focus and this has to be blamed on the instant dopamine overdose from everywhere. People have become addicted to instant gratification and intentional living is going out of the window.
If you think sitting still with blank thoughts for 20 minutes is not your cup of tea, then aim for shorter durations. Opt for guided meditations if focus is an issue. If you are a crazy busy mom with an insanse schedule, try squeezing mindfulness whenever possible. Think of the higher power before every sip of coffee, don't think of anything and keep your mind blank while taking a bath/shower, sit still for 10 minutes after waking up in the morning and be intentional in every thing you do.
Not to sound like a broken record here but meditation helps in reducing stress and negative emotions, increasing self awareness, focus and concentration, imagination and creativity.
Laughter: Definitely is the best medicine. It's a cardiac excercise as it sends the heart rate racing, in a good way! Learn to laugh without reason. Even if there's no one to share the laugh with, schedule your laughs in the morning and evening. That's how laughter clubs work! After three or four fake laughs, one automatically starts laughing frantically!
Laughter has been scientifically proven to decrease stress hormones and increase immunity. If you are lonely and don't have funny company, watch comedy shows or videos. If you want, you will definitely find a way to improve your life!
Take care of you
So once your cup is full,
Whatever overflows
Is what you are able to give others.
Disclaimer: This article has been drafted in a generic way and is in no way equal to a prescription. I am a registered medical practitioner but every individual is different. So it is advised to always consult your doctor before making any changes or adapting anything new.
"This post is a part of Wellness Hour Blog Hop by Rakhi Jayashankar and Swarnali Nath"
24 comments
Loved the title of post. first, I had thought, it is about some medical research tools. but later on, realized that you are talking about some best natural options to improve our overall health and wellbeing. if you used these underused medical tools wisely, we can stay fit and active and can bring lots of positivity in life.
ReplyDeleteI must say that I realy need to bring laughter back in my life. I think I hardly laugh, in fact, I can't recall when I smiled boardly also. I guess this is the missing aspect, the primary reason we lose track. The road to wellness incorporates all of our being and the environs, as you have mentioned in the post.
ReplyDeleteYou know 99% of the women end up with Vitamin D deficiency and because of that their mental health goes for a toss. Sunlight is one of the most prominent and less talked about aspect of wellness
ReplyDeleteWow to the place and the food looks amazing and you doll rock the swimsuit.
ReplyDeleteI am having Vitamin D deficiency and I agree with you lack of exposure under sunlight is the key reason. Although in a better state now in regards to this deficiency still I need to take out atleast 10-15 minutes of my day forcefully to be under the Sun. Fasting and the fasting that we Bengali's do in religious occasions are actually beneficial for health as it gives time to clear the toxin within us. I tried this and really happy with the results. Thank for this reminder again will try to increase my Sun time now.
ReplyDeleteI seriously practice every idea you have shared. I have even written about all in detail.But right now I am going through a really bad bout of depression and I am clueless why and how to get out of it. It is very difficult to counsel yourself, I guess.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list. Nature, exercise, sleep, right food at the right time are most important... Of course laughter makes life worth living.
ReplyDeleteYour post beautifully captures the essence of holistic wellness. It's a friendly reminder that self-care is essential, and true well-being encompasses both mental and physical aspects. Your insights about sunlight, sleep, nature, real food, exercise, fasting, meditation, and laughter are spot-on. Your writing radiates positivity and motivates readers to prioritize their health. Keep spreading these valuable messages!
ReplyDeleteWow! What beautiful clicks. The connection you draw between mental and physical wellness is spot on; they truly are intertwined. Your cheat list for achieving wellness is both practical and insightful, reminding us that small changes in our habits can make a big difference.
ReplyDeleteYour words about not being able to pour from an empty vessel hit home - it's such an important lesson to remember. Thanks for this reminder.
-Anjali
Truly Mandira, the best things in life are for free. I loved how you highlighted real food and fasting as great ways to improve physical and mental well-being. Feeding your stomach real food and not just junk or packaged food and letting it rest on someday with only basic nourishment really is an important key to feeling good.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely resonating with the idea that self-care is far from being selfish. It's about nurturing your own well-being so you can be at your best for others. This insightful post emphasizes the connection between mental and physical wellness and highlights achievable lifestyle habits for a balanced life.
ReplyDeleteSunlight, sleep, nature, real food, exercise, fasting, meditation, and laughter - these facets of well-being are described with clarity and practicality. The reminder that our bodies are designed for sleep and the therapeutic benefits of naps are particularly noteworthy. The inclusion of fasting and its ancient healing significance adds depth to the discussion.
The wisdom that by taking care of ourselves and ensuring our "cup is full," we become better equipped to share positivity and support with others, is a message that resonates deeply. A truly valuable post that underscores the importance of nurturing our own wellness.
Lovely post. All the factors from sleep till laughter are real therapies, but due to our lifestyle we are missing on many crucial factors. like eating health, soaking in sun, sleeping on time. Thanks for a reminder about all good things naturally available without doctors prescription.
ReplyDeleteThe last line is the best. Indeed only if we take care can we be caregivers. And with so many tools readily available for free, we must utiise them to avoid medications at a later date. As usual, loved your pics!!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh! When they make everything nowadays automated yet complicated, you've highlighted valuable matters we mostly underestimate! Appreciate that you've highlighted that sometimes, we don't need much, we just need to change our perspective and be grateful of the things we can actually get for free or doesn't cost that much. - MommyWithAGoal
ReplyDeleteSo true. Most underused yet totally free and easily available medical tools. Such lovely pictures and a beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteVery beautifully explained buddy, a gentle reminder of the simplest things we must do to keep us happy and healthy, the basics that we often forget
ReplyDeleteA must read post by everyone. I really loved the way you described the importance of every tool that you had mentioned and as you said the answer is lying around the backyard and we would need to find it.
ReplyDeleteJust like advice the best ways to achieve wellness are free and hence are most underrated! People often go to fancy gyms and seek professional help when these are the simplest ways to stay healthy and happy. We just need to more plugged in to ourselves than our gadgets.
ReplyDeleteYou have mentioned all the valid points and I love the point "sunshine". We all stay indoor and that is so true Sunshine plays a crucial role for our health.
ReplyDeleteNature plays a vital role in our wellbeing.We hardly interact with nature and thats where all trouble starts both on physical and mental level. I usually follow most of the pointers but yes sun exposure is needed more.
ReplyDeleteWe often know things but don't bring it to practice, your post was like a reminder to me in that respect. You have summed it so well that we are content and happy we can give better.
ReplyDeleteI love the green color and nature really lights my eyes up. It's such a blessing to be surrounded by nature in my own house.
ReplyDeleteEmbracing happiness is the real need for being healthy and living fit and fine. Being in nature, eating organic food, practicing meditation, these are some healthy habits for our overall well-being and the best thing is we can develop these habits easily. Thank you for joining us and making this blog hop successful. I am grateful for your contribution and participation in the wellness hour blog hop. Means a lot. Gratitude.
ReplyDelete- Swarnali (The Blissful Storyteller)
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ReplyDelete