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 Entrepreneur of the Year | NextGen Entrepreneurs
We are overjoyed to announce that the prestigious 2023 NextGen Entrepreneur award has been bestowed upon the passionate, talented, and dedicated Suzanne Leitner-Wise, owner, and director of 532Yoga. Located just blocks from the river in an award-winning space, 532Yoga serves as a sanctuary for wellness enthusiasts. With an ethos centered around teaching and practicing with genuine passion, the studio stands as a testament to Suzanne's commitment to yoga and wellness. Suzanne's credentials speak volumes of her mastery in yoga - an E-RYT500, BWY, BYTA, TMT, AYC, RCYA, a certified Ashtanga, and Rocket Teacher. She has also been a full-time Yoga Teacher in Alexandria, VA, since her arrival in the US in 2000. Her dedication to yoga and her students is truly inspiring. From being a presenter at various yoga conferences to lecturing for companies and organizations like the National Institute for Health, Suzanne has made significant contributions to the yoga community. Beyond her impressive yoga journey, Suzanne's impact extends to her work with the Institute for Justice, overturning regulations for Registered Yoga Schools in Virginia. She's also served esteemed clients, including Senator Mark Warner, The Department of Justice, and The Department of Defence. Join us in celebrating Suzanne Leitner-Wise, a true embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit, a tireless advocate for wellness, and a shining example of the transformative power of yoga!  Image by prostooleh on Freepik
Article by Martina Luongo Introduction Are you seeking a potent weapon against stress while improving your fitness and overall well-being? Look no further than yoga. Picture this: Your phone incessantly rings, your boss demands your attention, and your partner anxiously waits for dinner plans. Stress and anxiety surround you, threatening to overpower your sanity. If you’re searching for an effective remedy, consider stepping onto the yoga mat. Yoga, a holistic practice merging physical postures, controlled breathing, and meditation, has the potential to reduce stress, decrease blood pressure, and lower heart rate. The best part? Virtually anyone can engage in this ancient art. Understanding the Essence of Yoga Yoga, classified as a mind-body practice, stands as a distinguished member among the many complementary and integrative health approaches. It unifies physical and mental disciplines, offering a pathway to tranquillity for both the body and mind. By embracing yoga, you unlock the key to relaxation and the ability to conquer stress and anxiety. Within the realm of yoga, various styles, forms, and intensities exist. For stress management, consider Hatha yoga, one of the most prevalent styles, renowned for its unhurried pace and accessible movements, making it ideal for beginners. However, any style of yoga holds benefits, tailored to your personal preferences. The Core Elements of Hatha Yoga and General Classes Yoga poses, commonly referred to as postures, form the bedrock of this practice, aiming to enhance strength and flexibility. Poses encompass a range of movements, from restful floor poses to challenging postures that stretch your physical boundaries. Breathing, a vital aspect of yoga, empowers you to take control of your body and mind. Yoga teaches that regulating your breath contributes to bodily control and mental tranquility. Meditation or relaxation plays a significant role in yoga, allowing you to cultivate mindfulness, embracing the present moment without judgment. Unveiling the Health Rewards of Yoga Yoga’s potential health benefits are plentiful, including:
Yoga Precautions Typically, yoga is considered safe for most healthy individuals when conducted under the guidance of a trained instructor. Nonetheless, specific situations warrant caution. Consult your healthcare provider before commencing yoga if you possess any of the following conditions:
In such cases, modifications and avoidance of certain poses or stretches may allow you to practice yoga safely. If you experience pain or concerns, consult your doctor to ensure that you are benefiting from yoga without any adverse effects. Embarking on Your Yoga Journey While learning yoga from books or videos is an option, beginners often find it advantageous to learn under the guidance of an instructor. Yoga classes offer not only instruction but also a sense of camaraderie and friendship, both vital to overall well-being. When selecting a class, take the time to communicate with the instructor, clarifying your expectations. Pose the following questions:
Striking the Perfect Balance Every individual possesses a unique body with distinct abilities. Accordingly, you may need to modify yoga postures based on your personal capabilities. A seasoned instructor who comprehends your requirements is pivotal to practicing yoga safely and effectively. Remember, you are not obligated to execute every pose. If a particular posture feels uncomfortable or you struggle to sustain it if instructed, listen to your body and refrain from pushing beyond your limits. A skilled instructor will support your exploration while respecting your boundaries. Online Therapy Online therapy, also known as teletherapy or virtual therapy, has emerged as a convenient and accessible solution for individuals seeking mental health support. With the advancement of technology, therapy sessions can now be conducted remotely through secure video conferencing platforms. Online therapy offers the flexibility to connect with licensed therapists from the comfort of one’s own home, eliminating the need for travel or geographical limitations. This mode of therapy provides a confidential and supportive environment for clients to discuss their concerns, receive guidance, and work towards their mental well-being. It has proven to be particularly beneficial for those with busy schedules, limited mobility, or living in remote areas, ensuring that mental health support is readily available to a wider population. Conclusion In conclusion, yoga and online therapy offer powerful tools for improving mental and physical well-being in our fast-paced and stressful world. Yoga’s integration of physical movement, controlled breathing, and meditation provides a holistic approach to reducing stress, enhancing fitness, and managing chronic conditions. Meanwhile, online therapy brings therapy sessions to individuals’ fingertips, allowing them to access professional help conveniently and securely. Both practices provide opportunities for self-care, personal growth, and a path towards serenity. Whether through the physicality of yoga or the virtual connections of online therapy, these transformative practices empower individuals to prioritize their mental health and find balance in their lives. Embracing these modalities can lead to profound benefits, enabling individuals to navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and find solace in the pursuit of well-being. Everyday Strategies for Healthy Living: Simple Habits for a More Energized and Focused Life6/16/2023  Every day, we have the power to make choices that affect our overall health and well-being. Creating and sticking to healthy habits can help you feel more energized, focused, and better equipped to handle life's challenges. Here are a few everyday strategies from 532Yoga for healthy living that you can start implementing right away.
Hydrate All Day Staying hydrated is crucial to maintaining good health, as water plays a vital role in regulating body temperature, detoxifying your system, and keeping your joints well lubricated. Consider carrying a reusable water bottle with you at all times to help keep track of your water intake. Make sure to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, or increase your consumption if you're engaged in physical activity. Your Morning Meal Matters Skipping breakfast can have negative impacts on your metabolism, leading to decreased energy and concentration levels. Eating a healthy breakfast, such as whole-grain toast, oatmeal, or eggs, can jumpstart your metabolism and give you the energy you need to tackle the day ahead. By making a conscious effort to eat breakfast, you can set yourself up for a productive and energized day. Make Healthy Investments for Your Home Investing in products like air purifiers, water filters, and organic food can go a long way in promoting healthy living. Before purchasing any of these products, it is essential to conduct thorough research and carefully read reviews to determine which options are best suited for your individual needs. By investing in high-quality products tailored to your specific requirements, you can significantly enhance your overall health and well-being. Sleep Is Non-Negotiable Adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining overall good health as it promotes mental and physical well-being by helping your body repair and rejuvenate itself. To fully benefit from the restorative power of sleep, aim to get seven to eight hours of quality sleep every night and establish a consistent bedtime routine that works for you. By prioritizing good sleep hygiene, you can improve the quality of your sleep and ultimately enhance your overall health and well-being. Be Intentional When Combating Stress The negative impact of stress on physical and mental health cannot be overemphasized. Symptoms such as anxiety, headaches, and muscle tension can be mitigated by adopting relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and especially yoga with 532Yoga, which is also incredibly beneficial for flexibility, balance, and strength. Identifying and removing stressors or learning better coping mechanisms could lead to a more fulfilling and healthier life. Get Physically Active Exercise is not just important but essential for your overall well-being, including physical and mental health. By incorporating regular exercise into your routine, you can experience multiple benefits, including increased energy, improved mood, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Experts recommend aiming for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day, such as brisk walking or cycling, to reap these benefits. Organize Clutter If you're feeling overwhelmed by paper clutter, regain control of your documents with the help of PDFs and online tools that enable you to effortlessly manage and organize your paperwork. By converting different file types to PDF, you can reduce stress, streamline your life, and boost productivity. Check this out and embrace the advantages of a tidy, well-ordered workspace, all while freeing up valuable physical storage space. Incorporating these everyday strategies for healthy living into your routine can result in amplified energy levels, improved focus, and greater resilience in the face of adversity. By following the tips outlined above, you can significantly improve your overall well-being and vitality. Always keep in mind that small changes have the potential to create substantial positive impacts on your life. Author: Justin Bennett, justin@healthyfit.info  Many people view yoga as more of a spiritual practice and less of a fitness routine. However, one of the many benefits of creating your own yoga practice is how easily they can be customized to suit your unique needs. While there is a spiritual side to yoga, it is also a fantastic resource to help you achieve your fitness goals, whether it is to lose weight, build muscle, improve flexibility, or ease tension.
Yoga is a great integrative activity that can be incorporated into other workouts for a well-rounded fitness routine. We’re going to talk about why you should incorporate nutrition and fitness into your yoga practice, and how to stay on track and reach your goals more quickly. NutritionOne of the key elements of a successful yoga practice is the nutrition plan that goes along with it. You’ll need some fuel before your workout, but this is not the time to scarf down a plate of fettuccine alfredo. Instead, opt for a light, healthy meal or snack a couple of hours before your workout. Choose nutritious foods that will give you plenty of energy, such as avocado toast, oatmeal with fruit, or a banana with peanut butter. The goal is to nourish your body and then give yourself some time to digest the food for an energy boost before you begin exercising. After your workout, you’ll want to choose foods that will help your body recover and repair your muscles, especially after a more vigorous flow. To do this, eat a healthy meal or snack that is rich in protein and carbohydrates such as a turkey sandwich on whole-grain bread, a chicken quesadilla, or salmon with sweet potatoes. You can also use nutrition strategies to build muscle and lose fat to help you achieve your health and fitness goals more quickly. And of course, don’t forget to hydrate! Before, during, and after your workout, be sure to stay hydrated with water, electrolyte beverages, or herbal teas. Complementary Exercises For Yoga and PilatesYoga continues to rise in popularity thanks to the abundance of health benefits that come along with it. However, depending on your personal fitness goals, you may want to incorporate other exercises into your yoga routine. Luckily, yoga is easy to integrate into other workout regimens, and is complemented by many other forms of exercise such as:
An example of how you can integrate fitness into your yoga practice is to begin your workout with a few yoga flows. This will help you stretch and warm your body up before moving into some bodyweight exercises. If you’d like to add in some cardio, you may want to do a few rounds of burpees or jumping jacks to get your heart rate up between strength training exercises, before ending your session with a gentle cool-down flow. Switching up your routine and including activities and exercises you enjoy will help keep you on track and motivated on your fitness journey. With the right nutrition, a flexible workout routine, and a few complementary exercises, you can elevate your yoga practice to help you hit your fitness goals more quickly.  Source - Unsplash
As a busy entrepreneur, the last thing on your mind is likely how you can fit in more exercise. However, it is important to practice self-care and work out your body and mind whenever you can so that you can feel better overall and be less stressed. Here at 532Yoga, we love to help people relax and feel better, so we want to tell you some other ways that you can fit in self-care even during big projects and busy days. Organize Your Email and Use a PDF Editor to Save Time One way to practice self-care as an entrepreneur is to put a system in place so that you can save time and not be so busy and anxious during the workday. You can save a lot of time by automating many of your processes. So, you can set up your invoices and bill payments to automatic autopay, set up daily and weekly reminders about important tasks on your phone, and create all of your social media posts at the beginning of the month so you don’t have to return to the task time and time again. Many entrepreneurs waste a lot of time by digging through their email accounts to find past documents and new data. Instead of frantically trying to find that one message, you can instead quickly save it as a PDF. The process is simple. You just click on the email you need and choose the print icon. When the new box comes up, choose to print it as a PDF. Then you can file it in a safe place so you can find it when necessary. Plus, you can easily edit the PDF document as needed by using this tool. Declutter Your Space to Relieve the Tension If you work from your house but find that you are constantly stressed, then you need to look around at your home environment. Organized Interiors notes that if your house is messy or lacking organization then it could be what is putting you and your family on edge. When our space is cluttered, it makes us feel like we are losing control of our surroundings and our lives, so you need to clean up and restore order to your home. Go through every room in your house and separate the items that you like from the stuff that you no longer need and donate it to a local charity. If your desk is covered with stacks of paperwork then consider scanning all of those documents into your computer and shredding paper to keep it secure. You should also open the doors and let in some natural light and fresh air so you can breathe easier and gain a better focus on your work. Work Out in the Mornings If you are just too busy during the day to exercise then you should modify your routine. The easiest way to do so is to set your alarm so that you wake up at least 30 minutes earlier and make that your exercise time. You only need about 30 minutes of exercise a day to keep your body in good shape and to get the blood flowing for the day. Plus, your workout time is a great chance to clear your head and relieve some of the stress of the week. Practice Meditation or Yoga Sometimes, lifting weight just isn’t enough to put you at ease. If that is the case, then Mayo Clinic suggests doing something more thought-provoking like practicing yoga or meditation. Both activities can be very gratifying and they help you to focus on your breathing, which is great for relieving stress. As you can see, there are many different ways that you can implement self-care into your busy schedule. By clearing your house of clutter, finding time to exercise, and using time-saving tips like editing PDFs, you can feel better and get more work done. Find out why 532Yoga has been awarded Best Yoga Studio in Alexandria for four years in a row by Alexandria Best Businesses. Contact us today! 703.209.0049  Good posture is essential for quality of life. It helps us to avoid pain and injuries, improves our circulation and digestion, and even makes us look taller and more confident. But poor posture can cause physical issues and wear down our joints. In this blog post, we'll explore some easy ways to improve your posture. Keep reading to learn more!
Better Posture Means Better Circulation One of the benefits of good posture is improved circulation. Upright explains that when you sit or stand up straight, your heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump blood through your body. This means that your blood can flow more easily to your extremities, and you'll be less likely to experience things like cold hands and feet. Improving your posture is an easy way to improve your circulation! Good Posture Improves Digestion Another benefit of good posture is improved digestion. When you slouch, it puts pressure on your stomach and intestines, which can lead to indigestion and other digestive problems. By sitting up straight, you'll take the pressure off of your digestive system and give it a chance to function properly. Not to mention, good posture also helps with things like bloating and constipation! The Curse of Tech Neck These days, we spend more time looking at screens than ever before. Whether we're working on a laptop, scrolling through our phones, or watching TV, all of that screen time can take a toll on our posture. This is because we tend to hunch over our screens, which leads to what's called "tech neck." Tech neck can cause pain in the neck and shoulders, headaches, and even wrinkles! So if you want to improve your posture AND reduce wrinkles, put down the phone and sit up straight. So how do we prevent “tech neck” while still using technology? Consider transferring files to a handheld device that you can position differently. If you want to change files to PDFs, you can with a PDF converter. Once they’re on your smartphone or tablet, they’ll be more comfortable to read. The Power of the Breath Another way to improve your posture is by doing breathing exercises. The Breath Effect explains that, when we breathe deeply from our diaphragm (rather than shallow chest breathing), it helps to lengthen and strengthen our spine. This in turn helps us to sit or stand up straighter. There are loads of different breathing exercises out there, so find one that works for you and make it part of your daily routine! Yoga Can Make a World of Difference Yoga is another great way to improve your posture. While there are many different types of yoga out there, most styles focus on lengthening and strengthening the spine. This helps promote good alignment and proper spinal health. If you’re looking for a class, 532Yoga offers both in-person and virtual options. Talk to your instructor about your goals so they know what kinds of exercises to recommend. *If you need a mat, 532Yoga recommends the Manduka Pro Yoga Mat. The Impact of Being Tall For tall people, good posture is especially important. Because they have longer limbs, tall people are more susceptible to slouching. In addition, tall people often have to look up at a higher angle, which can place strain on the neck and shoulders. Just take a look at some tall celebrities on How Tall Height and how they carry themselves in public! To avoid these problems, tall people need to be particularly mindful of their posture. By standing up straight and keeping the chin parallel to the ground, tall people can help to prevent pain and tension in the upper body. Stand Tall and Feel Better There are many reasons why good posture is important for quality of life. From improved circulation and digestion to reduced stress levels and fewer wrinkles, the benefits are endless! If you're looking for ways to improve your posture, try some of the tips listed above. And don't forget – if you have back problems or are recovering from an injury, be sure to keep all of your medical records organized in one place so that you can easily find what you need if there's ever an emergency. Photo Credit: Ingrid Santana via Pexels  Image by Pexels
When you’ve made a commitment to start living a healthier lifestyle, whether it’s because you received a warning from your doctor or if you’ve just decided you want to look and feel your very best, it’s good to start with a plan. An important part of your self-care and wellness plan should be to recognize that a healthier lifestyle is more than just adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet, although that is a very important part of it; it’s designing a whole new healthier way of living. Assessing Your Current State of Wellness Make a physician's appointment to get a baseline of your physical status, such as weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, etc. Then find a good nutrition app that will help you track the foods you eat for nutritional value and caloric levels. Then assess how well you’re sleeping. You can measure this with a wearable fitness tracking device like Fitbit, or an under-the-mattress monitor, like the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat. There are many factors that impact your emotional and mental health, like mood, worry, alcohol consumption, relationships, and sleep. To assess your own mental and emotional health, the Mayo Clinic has devised an assessment you can take at home. Having a Written Plan Identify your objectives, such as how much weight you want to lose or how many miles you can run or walk per day. How many hours of sleep per night-experts agree you need 7-9. What you expect you’ll be able to see with better emotional health, such as a healthy relationship. Then, establish a timeline and set achievable milestones. You should also create a list of resources to help you achieve these goals, such as physicians, therapists, nutritionists, and fitness coaches. To help you figure out how to begin, you can purchase a wellness journal to guide you. Like The Clever Fox Wellness Planner, which features customizable pages and was developed with health, fitness, and nutrition experts. Self Care Making time for self-care each day can range from scheduling a 30-minute walk outside to carving out an hour to enjoy a hobby that you find relaxing and rewarding. One of the most positive self-care practices is yoga, as it benefits your body, mind, and soul. You can find Yoga classes near where you live by doing an online search. Then meet with the instructor to make sure they have classes that suit your goals. Or you can take classes online with live-streaming classes from 532Yoga. They believe that yoga is for everybody and that with regular practice, you can expect to increase your strength, flexibility, and balance, but even more importantly, have fun! Education as Wellness Education is a way to a better future, but it’s about the here and now for you, too. A well-rounded education isn’t just about learning new skills and facts, it’s also about developing your mind and body. The more education you have, the more likely you are to take care of yourself. Gaining knowledge and learning what you’re good at and what kind of career can make you feel fulfilled is one of the best methods of self-care. One of the most fulfilling and satisfying careers is that of teaching, and if that is something that speaks to you, you should know that you can get a bachelor of education degree online. Fitting education into your schedule is easier online because the core courses are only 5 weeks long. Wellness in Your Home A cluttered and messy home can cause stress and anxiety, and one of the best ways to reduce stress at home is to create an atmosphere that lends itself to relaxation and improved well-being. By making a health and wellness plan for yourself, you’re making a commitment to living a healthier and happy life for yourself and for those around you. By having realistic expectations and a reasonable timetable, it’s possible to achieve the life of wellness and happiness you deserve.  When it comes to yoga, many people know what it is, but they don’t know all the benefits it can provide you with. At 532YOGA, we do our best to ensure that everyone has a unique experience and practices yoga in a way that’ll best fit their needs and abilities. There are many different benefits to yoga ranging from improving your physical health to your mental health as well.
There are many people who are struggling with different stressors in their lives and find it challenging to relieve that stress. Yoga is one way to work on yourself and bring peace back into your life. Before thinking that it’s not for you, take time to research the different benefits of yoga – you might be surprised at what you find. Below, we’ll be discussing the various benefits that yoga has and how it can improve your life. Improves Strength and Flexibility Practicing yoga has a plethora of benefits, but some of the more common ones include improving your strength and flexibility. When practicing yoga, there are exercises that you can do to target different areas of your body. If you’re looking to improve your strength, then performing exercises such as the downward-facing dog or the warrior pose forces you to work different muscle groups such as your shoulders, arms, and hamstrings, while also stretching your calves and hips. Implementing exercises that force you to use different muscles will result in strengthening those and surrounding areas. When trying to figure out which type of yoga will best fit your needs, think about what you would like to get out of it and begin researching what types of yoga are offered. At 532YOGA, we offer a wide range of classes that consist of power yoga which works on targeting specific muscle groups and is active and vigorous. Or, you could also look into dharma flow yoga which helps to improve your balance and flexibility while implementing relaxation, breathing, and meditation techniques. Finding a class that interests you is important so that you can get the most out of each session. Reduces Stress and Anxiety Practicing yoga has also been shown to aid in improving stress levels. Yoga that involves guided visualizations and deep relaxation techniques through various poses and meditation can allow you to feel more at peace and learn how to relax your mind and body. Many different aspects of life cause stress, whether it involves an illness, a job, or a current financial situation. Out of all the possibilities for why you are stressed, it’s important to understand how to deal with those feelings. When it comes to finances, oftentimes people become stressed due to a lack of management and spend more than they have. Understanding how to properly budget and maintain good credit is vital to ensuring financial stability. It’s important to work on improving your finances because it’ll help you achieve long-term financial goals since there are certain credit score requirements needed to purchase a home, among other large investments. Being able to step back and review your financial situation, as well as taking a break from the daily stress of work life, can help you become less overwhelmed. When you’re dealing with outside stressors, yoga is something that can assist in reducing the stress you feel. Taking time to practice your breathing exercises and meditation can help you to relax your mind and body, allowing you to let go of the overwhelming feeling of anxiety you get from external stressors. Improves Focus and Control In addition to improving your strength and flexibility, yoga also plays a large role in improving your overall focus and control. Practicing yoga involves using meditation as a way to relax your mind and body and promote mindfulness. Through the different movements in yoga, you need focus to move your body into a pose, and then stamina to keep it there for a set amount of time. This combination not only helps your overall yoga performance, but it can also help improve your mental focus. If you’re able to perform and hold difficult poses for a long period, over time you’ll start to feel more confident and be able to better apply the skills you’re learning at yoga into your daily life. Being able to focus on one thing at a time is something that is practiced in yoga because you are only doing one exercise at a time. Take that mindset and apply it to your life. Rather than trying to complete many different tasks at once, take a step back and break down what needs to be done right away and what can wait. If you treat tasks and other external factors in your life like yoga and take it one step at a time, you’ll be able to focus on what you need to get done without being overwhelmed. When you are able to better manage your daily tasks, this will help you feel like you have more control over your day and life. Rather than feeling overwhelmed when you have a lot going on, tap into your yoga practices and lean on that to find peace within yourself. Knowing that there is something that can help you to regain control when times get stressful, will allow you to feel more confident in yourself! Practicing yoga provides many health benefits. Focusing on your mind and body through movements, breathing exercises, and meditation, yoga can help to improve your quality of life. The overall purpose of yoga is to release one’s body and mind of stress and tension that may be a result of difficult situations in your life. Yoga provides you with the knowledge and tools to take control of your health and allows you to practice yoga in a way that works best for you. 532Yoga offers a beautiful award-winning space where we have combined a zen-like eastern minimalism with a reverential, inclusive homage to teachers past and present. Contact us today for more information! 703.209.0049  Perhaps you’ve been struggling with anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition. You’ve experimented with yoga, meditation, journaling, and all kinds of other typical self-care strategies - but you haven’t experienced much in the way of benefits. It’s time to start going beyond the usual self-care tips and exploring new avenues. 532Yoga shares a few ideas for improving your mental health that you may not have tried yet.
Declutter Your Home Creating a better atmosphere at home can definitely boost your mental health. You may not even realize how much a cluttered home can affect your mindset until you clean it up! You can begin by getting rid of items you no longer need, dusting regularly, and adding more storage options to your space. Try Working From Home Maybe you’re getting tired of commuting to work every day. It’s not easy to get up extra early, sit in traffic on your way to the office, and then do it all again at the end of the day. You may want to request a trial run for working from home. You’ll be able to spend more time with your family, get some extra sleep, work out in the mornings, and cook healthy meals rather than getting take out. Begin Practicing Yoga Are you curious about trying out a new form of fitness? Yoga is an excellent way to make a positive impact on both your mental wellness and physical health. Getting started may seem a little overwhelming at first, but you can connect with a local yoga professional who can help you begin your practice. Additionally, there are many apps and online resources that can help you supplement your practice. Plus, you’ll be able to get a full-body workout outdoors. Getting a Pet If you’ve ever had a pet, you know how the unconditional love they give can easily turn a frown upside down! Many pet owners find that having pets benefits their mental health. Newport Academy states that spending time with a pet can lower your stress levels, reduce feelings of depression and loneliness, and even increase your sense of self-esteem. Before bringing your new furry companion home, be sure your living area is outfitted with all the necessary items, such as food, a bed, a crate for training, and a food and water bowl. First, go online and read up on expert and unbiased product reviews and see how they rate in terms of durability, quality and affordability. If you can’t get a pet right now, consider volunteering at a local animal shelter or offering to pet sit for friends. Birdwatching Maybe you’ve never tried birdwatching before - but you may be surprised by how enjoyable it could be! Birdwatching can actually be a great way to care for your mental health. You’ll spend time outside, deepen your connection with nature, and get your mind off of your stress for a while. Scrapbooking Do you have lots of photos and family mementos? Consider creating scrapbooks to preserve those memories. Scrapbooking can be very relaxing. Plus, you’ll get to focus on your artistic skills and enhance your creativity! Reiki Your local yoga studio or massage therapy spa might offer reiki. This is an energy healing practice that can help you process complex feelings and release stress. It doesn’t hurt to try out a session or two to see how you feel afterward! Camping Do you feel like you need to escape from the pressures of daily life for a while? Try planning a weekend camping trip! Camping can help you leave your stresses behind. The Dyrt states that camping can improve your circadian rhythm, give you a boost of dopamine naturally, and even reduce inflammation. Managing your mental health can be complicated. Sometimes, the techniques that work for other people won’t always work for you, and that’s okay. By trying out methods that suit your lifestyle and interests, from decluttering your house to practicing yoga, you may notice that you’re feeling a little better day by day. Photo via Pexels |
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