 Going green is a beautiful thing. It can improve your mental health and make you feel good about the world. It can help you save the planet and improve your quality of life. Whether you are dedicated to becoming an environmentalist or just really want to do your part, these green lifestyle changes will not only make the world a better place but also improve your mental health. Going Green Can Give You a Sense of Purpose You do not need to be a hardcore environmentalist to help the world. You can be a part of the movement by doing the simple things that can improve your quality of life, like taking care of food scraps instead of throwing them out or driving less. These changes can make you feel like you are making a difference in the world and give you a sense of purpose. Going Green Can Give You More Energy Just because you are going green doesn't mean you have to give up the things you love. It can be hard to do, but sometimes it is just as important to stop and take care of yourself. Eating less processed foods or choosing organic vegetables and fruits can also improve your energy levels so you can get a little more done each day. Going Green Can Help Reduce Stress Remember: It is not always necessary to be green all the time. You can still have fun without sacrificing the environment. We are all guilty of doing things that are not kind to the environment, but starting small can help you feel good about your contribution. Going green means choosing sustainable options when you can because they are better for the planet and they make us feel better too. Learning to Be More Mindful Going green can help you learn how to be more mindful. Many of the things we do in the environment can have an impact on the way we think so it is important to remember that your actions can have a real impact on the world and your life. For instance, if you are considering buying something new and it is made of plastic, consider getting a reusable alternative to save the planet before buying something. Not only will you help save the environment, but you can also make yourself feel good by using recycled products. Going Green Can Help You Fight Depression Studies have shown that people who are exposed to more natural elements have less depression. This is because they see the beauty in nature, and it allows them to relax and enjoy life. Small changes like going green can allow you to have a positive impact on your mental health, which will help you fight depression. Mental illness is not a weakness. Changing the way you think about nature and the environment can give you a new outlook that will improve your mental health and make you feel great. Even as a simple change, going green is something that most people can do, no matter what their job is. Immersing Yourself in a Community It is not always necessary to be a hardcore environmentalist to have a positive impact on the environment. Sometimes, it is enough to just do whatever you can and make small changes that can make the world a better place. It is easy to feel like you are not doing enough, but people are making small changes that are making an impact every day. You do not need to always be part of a larger movement to make a difference because sometimes, you can feel good about your contribution even if it is small. Joining like-minded communities doesn't mean you need to commit to becoming a hardcore environmentalist. Anyone can make small changes to improve their quality of life, and these communities can help you feel good about your contribution as well. It is a great way to interact with others who are passionate about the same things you are and bond over your shared interests, which can give you a sense of belonging in a world that doesn't always feel so friendly. Minimizing the Risk of Developing Neurotic Disorders While going green can improve your mental health and make you feel great, it can also improve your quality of life. Being aware of environmental issues and the risks they can create is a form of mindfulness that can help you overcome psychological disorders. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, switching to a more eco-friendly lifestyle is a way to minimize the risk of developing neurotic disorders. Going green is a great approach to dealing with mental health and learning disability. With the help of green practices, students can better concentrate on their academics and other activities. This applies to both children and adults. Adults who live a more sustainable lifestyle are better equipped to cope with stress and focus on their work. The Bottom Line Going green can improve your mental health and make you feel good about your contribution to the world. By doing things like recycling, you can feel good about helping the environment and also save money. When it comes to going green, there is no right or wrong way to do it. It's all about the way that works for you, so let that be one of the reasons you choose to go green. 
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Aishwarya Iyer Bhasker Imagine someone suffering from something that is as fatal as cancer, but it is all in their mind which makes it hard to even explain to someone. Surviving with it is so hard that they find it difficult to zip up their jacket or pull the bus cord. This disease is also multifactorial, which means it is caused by multiple factors, including multiple genes and environmental factors including the maternal environment, much like cancers. But unlike cancers or any illnesses that manifest physically, these are widely misunderstood and considered as just weaknesses or the fault of the patient. I just described how debilitating and isolating clinical depression or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) can be. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. The deep-rooted stigma surrounding all mental health issues arises from lack of awareness of the symptoms and causes of mental illnesses. Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a renowned neuroanatomist said, “Although many of us think of ourselves as thinking creatures that feel, biologically we are feeling creatures that think.” She goes on to explain that at the neuroanatomical level, information flows from the inner emotional part of the brain, called the limbic system, and then moves to the higher cortices for high-order cognition. Therefore, when our emotions get hurt, the way we think is affected. Hence the genesis of mental health issues.1 As for the biological basis, psychiatric illnesses like MDD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism are still widely researched in the neuroscience community. Since the brain is the most complex organ of the human body, much of what we know about the brain is because of studies done on people with such deficits. The limbic system is thought to be dysregulated in these mood disorders.2 The amygdala (a component of the limbic system) is thought to be hyperactive in depression facilitating a mostly overactive response to negative stimuli. Since the limbic system is in connection with the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, which play roles in learning and higher-order cognition, these structures show decreased volume in people suffering from depression (Note that I used this term instead of saying ‘depressed people’; they should not be defined by their condition). Hence, the brain’s ability to learn and form new memories and make decisions is severely impaired. 3 The most common psychiatric illnesses are MDD (6.7%), bipolar disorder (4.4%) and GAD (3.1%) in adults in the United States. 4 Especially in the last year, aka year 2 of the CoViD-19 pandemic, 19% (almost one in five) of adults experienced mental illness in the US.5 For so much we know about mental health issues, there is so much we do not know. But what we do know is this is the time to be kind to all and do our best to be inclusive of everyone, neurotypical or not. The author is a Ph.D. student at University of Wisconsin-Madison and her research involves studying the involvement of certain neural circuits in controlling complex behaviors like social motivation. References:
 Dorothy Watson Self-care is one thing they don’t teach you in school but is nonetheless a critical skill you need to learn. Unfortunately, it’s common for many people to neglect caring for themselves, which can have both short- and long-term effects on physical and mental health. To improve your wellbeing, try to stop these common behaviors. 1. Stop Treating Sleep as an Afterthought Getting poor sleep has an all-encompassing negative effect on your physical and mental health. Without a healthy sleep pattern, you increase your risk of developing a variety of illnesses, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and psychiatric disorders. Your life expectancy even suffers. It is thus vital to your wellbeing that you practice good sleep habits. Sleep needs vary from person to person, with some people requiring nine hours of sleep to feel rested and others only need seven. The eight-hour rule is pretty much a myth, as eight hours may be too much or too little for you, and you shouldn’t force yourself to get eight hours if it doesn’t feel right to you. Getting good-quality sleep begins with having proper sleep hygiene. This means doing things that help your sleep, such as having a consistent sleep schedule, and not doing things that hinder your sleep, such as drinking alcohol before bed. 2. Stop Neglecting Exercise If you have a mostly sedentary lifestyle, you’re not doing your health any favors. Neglecting your body’s need for exercise causes a variety of issues, such as weakening your muscles and bones and upping your risk of heart problems. According to several studies, there is a strong link between exercise and health. Ideally, you should exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, to maximize its benefits. However, even a little exercise is preferable to having none at all. If you can’t fit in five days per week, just getting in a brief workout during the weekends can be beneficial. Exercising isn’t just for your physical health. It can also boost your mood and self-esteem and help to ease depression and anxiety by promoting the production of four feel-good brain chemicals: epinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. This is why exercise is so commonly recommended by healthcare professionals of all kinds, from general practitioners to mental health workers. 3. Stop Burning Yourself Out Job burnout is all too common. One survey found that 23% of workers felt burnt out more than half the time and 44% did at least some of the time. When you’re burnt out, you may feel exhausted physically and emotionally while lacking the motivation to do your best work. There are many ways to deal with job burnout, all of which are tied to good self-care. Socializing with someone to whom you’re close, refraining from alcohol and caffeine, or talking to your employer can all help manage burnout. There are also local resources from NAMI-UW that may be able to help. If you’re a business owner, a virtual assistant can help ease your workload by scheduling appointments, performing personal errands, or managing events, for example. There are multitude of job boards that compare virtual assistants and their rates and experience levels and offer reviews. If you want to improve your personal life, proper self-care allows you to keep yourself at your best. With just a little know-how and a few lifestyle adjustments, you can begin to change some of your bad habits today and start to feel happier and healthier.  Image via https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-shirt-showing-frustration-3807738/ Arleen Atienza
People are mostly staying indoors since last year to stay safe from the pandemic. While some states are more relaxed with the restrictions, social distancing and avoiding unnecessary going out is still a safe option for everyone. The sudden, massive changes in our lives brought by the virus took a toll on our mental health and wellbeing. It has caused feelings of loneliness, anxiety, boredom, and stress. Don’t fret because there are a lot of ways to fight these negative feelings. More than ever, we need to focus on self-love and care deliberately. Want to take good care of yourself more? You can choose from the ideas below on how you can look good and feel good. Create a routine. If you are working from home, creating a routine can ensure a work-life balance. This tip will help you insert activities that can make you feel good in a day. Set your alarm and wake up early. Get dressed, and exercise. Take breaks from work. Finish work on a designated time so that you can allot time to do things that give you happiness, like spending time with your loved ones, playing with your dog, watching your favorite series, or reading a good book. Routines and schedules let you avoid overworking and can give you some structure in an uncertain period. Dress up and look your best. Looking good is an instant fix to feel good! Staying at home doesn’t mean you cannot fix yourself to look great. Put on the clothes that make you feel good, put on a little makeup, and style your hair. Looking good will surely improve your mood and can instantly boost your confidence. Find time to exercise. No matter how busy you get, make sure that you allocate time to exercise. Exercise does not only release happy hormones, it also impacts our skin! Because exercise improves blood circulation, it keeps the skin looking healthy, promotes collagen production, and stimulates new skin cells. Exercise can be your secret to glowing, youthful, and clear skin. Take care of your body. You can’t look good and feel good if you do not take care of your body. Make sure that you can give your body the tender loving care it needs. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily, get enough rest and sleep, eat healthy food, and use natural ingredients for your skin. Your body will surely be thankful for the care you give it, and it will keep you healthy and strong. Treat yourself. Is there something you long to buy as a reward for yourself but always hesitating to do so? Go ahead and treat yourself with self-care gifts! An occasional treat for yourself is a good form of self-care. Whether it is a sumptuous meal you have been craving, a relaxing massage, or a bag or jewelry you have been eyeing, do what makes you happy as long as you are not hurting anyone. It would be best if you treat yourself once in a while, especially in these trying times. Enjoy nature. Nature has a way of making us feel good and mesmerized with its beauty. Maximize and enjoy nature for an instant uplifting mood. You can walk to the nearby park and immerse yourself in nature. Breathe fresh air and bask in the sunshine outside. If you are fortunate to live near the sea or a mountain, take time to get lost in the beauty of nature. Socialize. Practicing social distance doesn’t mean that you cannot socialize with your family and loved ones. Connecting with people is now easier with the power of technology. Schedule a video call with your loved ones, especially those you haven’t talked to for a while. You can even organize an online pizza or wine party for that catch-up time with them. You will not realize that time passed by so fast because you enjoyed talking and laughing with your family and friends. Learn something new. Feed your mind and expand your horizon. This technique can make you proud of yourself for constantly being a work in progress. You can learn a new skill, hobby, or language! There are many ways to do this- you can enroll in an online course, learn by yourself by following a tutorial video, read a book, or ask someone to teach you. Be kind to yourself. Lastly, do not be too hard on yourself. Handle pressure with grace. There are things that you can’t control, and there will always be people who would not like you. That’s okay. Just continue to be good and shine bright! Key Takeaway Love should start with you. As they say, you cannot give what you don’t have. In this crazy world, don’t forget to find time to love and take care of yourself. That is the best way to look good and feel good. Jennifer McGregor
As 2021 is now in full swing, it’s time to start shaking off the COVID vibes and look ahead to how you can live your best life again in the coming months. Holistic health and wellness isn’t just about eating well and exercising, it’s about caring for your whole self, from head-to-toe - brain included! Reclaim Your Physical Fitness Many people have spent the past several months in stretchy clothes, from the comfort of our couches, binge-watching movies and old TV series. While we can give ourselves a pandemic pass for those behaviors, it's time to get up and get moving again. This might include joining a gym or investing in home exercise equipment. According to Humana, you can even ease yourself into a new routine with a low-key type of exercise regimen that includes activities like walking, hiking, biking, or even streaming exercise classes in your own living room. The key is to get moving, which will have a positive impact on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Take Care Of YOU Many of us are going through our closets and wondering what still fits and what’s still fashionable after a year of living and working primarily from home. It might be time to take a pass through your closet and determine what does and doesn't stand the test of time, and keep only the items that make you feel good about yourself. You may be able to sell some of your higher-end clothing online or donate good-condition outfits to a local women's shelter or clothing charity. According to Vogue, the pandemic lock-down has actually changed the way people perceive traditional “business wear,” so check out the latest fashion trends as part of your wardrobe purge. Enjoy A Luxurious Break If you're comfortable going to a spa, and are able to do so safely, give yourself permission to indulge in some head-to-toe self-care. That might include a massage, facial, or other favorite therapeutic treatments. If you're not ready to go out quite yet, you can still re-create a spa experience at home. Essential oils like sandalwood or eucalyptus paired with fluffy towels, candles, some soothing instrumental music, and a bit of seclusion can give you the pampering you need to revive and refresh your spirit. Mind Your Emotional Health When we talk about physical health and wellness, we sometimes forget that the mind is part of that body. That's to say that mental and emotional well-being is just as important as your overall physical health. If you've been feeling low or have anxiety, you're certainly not alone, but this is an issue you need to address. You may want to have a conversation with your primary healthcare provider about getting outside assistance, or you may feel comfortable managing it on your own through relaxation techniques and meditation. Start A New Phase As we come out of the pandemic, many of us are looking for new ways to live our lives. If you've ever wanted to go back to school or start your own business, now is the perfect time to act. Investigate online business formation services to help you determine what might be a good structure for you if you're interested in exploring this option. If you live in the Midwest, for example, and want to incorporate, you could start with an online search for LLC Wisconsin. Not only can launching a new business be an exciting endeavor, it can also be a positive and life-affirming event. The last year or so has been a trying time for everyone around the globe, but as we start to re-enter the world, it’s a good time to prepare to hit the ground running, and do so in top form. Having an optimistic mental and emotional outlook, caring for yourself, and looking for ways to make yourself happy and healthy can have a positive impact on this next phase of life! If you find yourself struggling with mental health issues, don’t wait to reach out for help. Contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. |
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