Discover how you can bring order to your life, reduce stress and better your mental and physical wellbeing.
Stuart Croft from The Hygrove Rehabilitation Clinic in Gloucestershire shares five simple yet effective steps you can take to feel happier, healthier and ready for the new year:
1. Connect with the people around you
Invest time in your close relationships - whether this includes your family, friends, colleagues or neighbours at home, work, school or in your local community. Strong, emotional bonds are vital for our wellbeing, stability and happiness.
You should have people in your life that you can rely on and trust. We can help you reconnect with your loved ones, teach you how to open up to others and learn from them so you can grow.
2. Be active
Regular exercise boosts your mood, reduces stress and anxiety and can build your confidence.
Start by trying different activities to find one that you love – dance, gardening, cycling or a simple walk are all good ideas. Being physically active and challenging yourself can offer fulfilment, a sense of achievement and help focus your mind.
3. Take notice of how you feel in the moment
Taking time to stop and look at the world around you can help eliminate worry, regret, resentment and anxiety. By practising mindfulness - a type of meditation - we’re able to focus on the present and not fret about the future or get stuck in the past.
Why not pause on your way to work to admire the scenery, stop to savour a bite of your sandwich or set aside a few moments each time to have to yourself? Reflecting on what you’re doing and how you feel will help you to appreciate what really matters.
Being aware of your sensations and emotions can help you find balance, regulate your mood and better meet your needs.
4. Keep learning
Recapturing the wonderment you once felt as a child is a great way to become motivated, passionate and excited about trying new things. We must keep our curiosity and enthusiasm for learning alive.
Try learning something new each day. Rediscover an old interest, learn how to play an instrument, cook a new meal or try fixing something around the house. Learning new skills can build your confidence, push you to take on new responsibilities at work or home, encourages social interaction and will help build your self-esteem.
5. Give more of yourself
Find ways to be there for others and support those around you. Doing something nice for a friend, or even a stranger, can be incredibly rewarding – when we see someone else happy, that emotion is reflected in us.
Contributing to the society around you encourages a sense of belonging and purpose, increased self-worth and helps you to connect with others.
Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.
Innate health and wellbeing
“Incorporating these five practices into your daily routine, along with a balanced, nutritional diet and good sleep, will make feeling good and functioning well an innate part of your lifestyle,” Stuart explains.
“You’ll be better equipped to cope with stress at work, develop close relationships, avoid burn-out and make the most of every day.”
Set in the stunning tranquil grounds of Hygrove House, surrounded by panoramic vistas of Gloucestershire countryside, Abbeycare Group’s The Hygrove offer tailored care recovery plans, services and holistic treatments to help individuals recover from addiction.
“In our home away from home, we provide individuals with the tools they need to take control of their lives, make positive lifestyle changes and improve their health and wellbeing. Many people can benefit from the methods and strategies we teach.”
Visit abbeycarefoundaton.com find out more. Call 01603 513 091 or email info@abbeycare.co.uk.
