Written by William Kellett
2020 has seen people faced with some of the toughest times for mental health in recent memory due to the wide-ranging effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mental health is important especially in the agricultural industry, and Fit and Well has some tips on improving your mental health in these challenging times
Exercise: Going for a run or lifting weights stimulates the brain into releasing serotonin and dopamine, otherwise known as the brain’s “reward chemicals”. These chemicals provide feelings of happiness similar to eating chocolate. Running in particular has been found to alleviate chronic stress.
Get into nature: We’re naturally over-stimulated when flicking between screens, so turning off your phone and taking a walk through the park – even for just 10 minutes – acts as a ‘reset button’ for our minds.
Get mindful: Although it seems a bit cliché to recommend meditation, the clinical benefits are well-documented: One study found spending 10 minutes a day on a mindfulness app, for three months, reduced feelings of anxiety by up to a massive 57%.
Unburden yourself: Not everyone has the opportunity to go to a formal therapy session, but even confiding to a close friend over a coffee or a beer has been found to have beneficial therapeutic effects.
Eat well: Scoffing junk foods high in sugar, salt and starch will lead to you feeling hungry and experiencing low moods more often, because the energy it provides is quickly used up by the body, causing you to “crash”. Opt for foods high in protein and full of whole grains, which releases energy slowly rather than dumping it all at once.
Drink Water: One study found men who lost 1.5% of their body weight in water had increased feelings of tension and anxiety. A cold glass of water will keep you cool in more ways than one.
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