What is Mental Wellness, and Why is it Important?

One of the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic was that mental wellness and mental health issues are now being discussed more openly. During the pandemic, social isolation, spreading disease, economic instability, and the work sphere encroaching into home life created a witches’ brew that bubbled to the surface, demanding attention. This awareness has sparked a great deal of interest in natural and accessible stress-management techniques to improve wellness. But before we delve into the strategies for improving mental wellness, we need to define the term itself. What does wellness mean? 

Defining Wellness  

The Global Wellness Institute defines mental wellness as “an internal resource that helps us think, feel, connect and function; it is an active process that helps us to build resilience, grow and flourish.” This definition shows that wellness isn’t static; it’s an ongoing process that needs constant attention and work. 

If that sounds intimidating, it isn’t! All this means is that our mental wellness is something we need to take care of on a daily basis. It’s like brushing and flossing, which by the way, is a part of wellness. It’s taking care of yourself and your emotional well-being. When you practice better self-care, you enhance your well-being. It also means that there are things you can do to improve your mental wellness, and we’ll discuss these strategies further in this article. 

Wellness Strategies You Can Try Today 

• Be kind. By practicing self-compassion, you give yourself permission to be human. It’s ok to feel stressed when a lot is going on in your life and the world. Speak to yourself with compassion and understanding. Notice how you usually speak to yourself; are you overly critical or judgmental? If your voice is a bit harsh, try being kinder to yourself. Studies show that self-compassion can enhance your mental wellness and greatly benefit your psychological well-being. 

• Manage your daily stress. It’s normal to feel stressed when you have a lot on your plate. If you’re juggling work, family life, and friends, plus dealing with world events and the economic situation, all this can add stress to your daily life. The bad news is that stress is really bad for your health. Chronic stress is associated with increased health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. The good news is that many wellness strategies can help you manage your daily stress and cope with anything the world throws at you. 

• Get enough good quality sleep. Sleep plays an essential role in our wellness every day. But getting enough sleep is a challenge, let alone good quality sleep that leaves us feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world. Try practicing good sleep hygiene; for example, avoid looking at screens before bed. Instead, try reading a book or listening to an audiobook. Make sure your room is dark and quiet throughout the night. An hour before bed, try winding down with a comforting bath, a CBD gummy, and some breathing exercises. 

• Make time for meaningful social connections in your life. Studies show that strong relationships are essential in coping with the difficult events that life throws at us. Schedule some socialization every week. Why not schedule a girls’ night in? Try some mocktails or have a few CBD gummies for some extra relaxation. They can help you unwind and relax while socializing. 

• Take natural ingredients such as CBD or other relaxing herbs. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an ingredient extracted from the hemp plant; recent research shows that it has numerous benefits for wellness. One of the most exciting and essential systems of the human body is the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a system that plays a role in regulating sleep, mood, appetite, and memory, among other functions. Research has shown that CBD can help balance the ECS, aiding relaxation and wellness. If you want to try CBD from a reputable source, you can find various CBD options at SocialCBD. All SocialCBD products are sourced from 100% US-grown, pure hemp. They also include natural, plant-powered ingredients like lemon balm, ashwagandha, and valerian. 

• Practice mindfulness. The term mindfulness refers to being in the present mentally, and scientific research has shown that it has a profound positive effect on emotional well-being. Practicing awareness of your surroundings and being fully in the present moment can help you cope with stress and enhance your wellness. Some strategies for mindfulness include practicing meditation or yoga. Try doing breathing exercises that make you pay attention to your breath. Practice mindful eating by savoring every bite of your food and paying attention to the complex flavors and textures. These are all grounding exercises; studies show they help with emotional and mental wellness. Go out into nature or for a hike, and focus on your surroundings. Observe the sights, sounds, smells, and the feeling of the sun or the breeze on your skin. When you observe your senses, you become more aware of the present moment. Keep a journal of your experiences to enhance the effects of these practices. Another way to practice mindfulness and awareness is to engage in an artistic or creative activity like painting, sculpture, writing, or dancing. 

Final Thoughts

Wellness is a process, and it involves daily practices to keep it up. There are many different strategies to maintain your wellness and improve it naturally, and this list includes just a few of the many options available. Feel free to combine some or all of these strategies; for example, invite your friends for a camping or hiking weekend. Spend quality time together, get enough physical exercise, take a few CBD gummies or drops, and relax with pleasant conversation, meditation, or yoga. The most important thing is to make your wellness a priority!

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