3 habits that transform mindset and mental health.

 Reading.

Reading is more often not everyone's favorite pass time activity. Some regard it as torture while others consider it boring. Regardless, reading is a very powerful habit that can have a profound effect on people's lives, change their whole mindset and world view. People read books for different reasons, some prefer inspirational books to be inspired, educational books for the knowledge and novels for entertainment. Which ever reason it is, there will always be positive end results. Reading is like an exercise for the mind, keeping it fit, flexible and strong.  Simply put, reading not only improves vocabulary and makes you smarter but also boosts brain power and memory. Reading also:

• Enhances connectivity in the brain.
• Reduces stress.
• Promotes relaxation. 
• Improves sleep.
• Has the potential to decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's.

Setting aside 15 - 30 minutes daily to read a book, magazine or newspaper you find interesting could significantly improve your life and mental wellness.

Exercise.

The physical benefits of exercise such as muscle gain, fitness, strength increase and weight control are usually just the tip of the iceberg. The other subtle benefits are mental, emotional, social and the one most of us are aware of, to prevent and control chronic diseases such as cancers. Most people assume gym goers or people who workout do it solely for the physical rewards, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Although physical benefits are a motivation for some, most people actually chase the mental, emotional and health benefits that come with exercise. 

Some emotional and mental benefits of exercises include: 

• Decreases stress.
• Boosts self esteem and confidence.
• Helps with depression and anxiety.
• Boosts brain power.
• Improves sleep.
• Makes you more social and connect with people more easily.

You can read more about mental health benefits of exercise on https://elisholistichealth.blogspot.com/2023/11/5-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.html

Healthy diet.

A healthy, well balanced diet not only has physical benefits but also mental and emotional benefits. Healthy diet can help us think clearly, feel more alert, improve mood, concentration and attention span. On the other hand, an unhealthy diet can lead to fatigue, impaired decision making and mood swings. Think of it as a dark cloud clogging your brain preventing it from functioning properly. Foods that contain alot of sugar and fats such as processed meat, fried food, refined cereals, candy, and high fat dairy products, are more likely to lead to anxiety and depression. A diet full of whole fiber-rich grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish can help you boost your mental health. A healthy diet: 

• Enables you to think clearly.
• Reduces mood swings.
• Improves mood.
• Reduces depression and anxiety.
• Improves concentration and attention.

I invite you to drop a comment on the comment section below.