The ancient Greeks already knew that mind and body are related to health. In addition to nourishing the body, nourishing the soul also plays an important role in your health.
Move!
The physiognomy of the human body is designed to walk approximately forty kilometers a day. Remember that we were once hunters and gatherers! In our Western working world, however, most people sit. Your breathing is shallower when you are sitting, which limits your oxygen supply. Sitting also damages your back, causes low calorie consumption and does not stress your cardiovascular system. As a result, there is a risk of metabolic diseases and diabetes. Integrate movement into your everyday life wherever possible. Cover small everyday transit distances on foot or by bike, use stairs instead of elevators, get off one stop earlier and walk the rest… Make it your challenge to discover more ways to move in everyday life. Set a time limit for sitting in your free time.
Experience nature!
A visit to the gym can provide some compensation for a lack of physical activity, but does not replace the important, holistic experience of being part of nature. Make time regularly to visit the forest, the park or any place in the open air where you can ground yourself and forget about the noise of the streets and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you sit in front of the computer a lot or live in a densely built-up city, your eyes will be happy about a clear view with a wide horizon. It doesn’t have to be a day trip. Watch birds, insects, the flight of clouds, or the flow of water whenever you find time. Tree hugging, forest bathing, outdoor meditation – these are all techniques to move yourself in nature and find inner peace.
Go offline!
Maybe you’re spending more time online than you’d like. Clickbait has you hooked, you’re studying the Kardashians’ last facelift, quickly checking your e-mails (after work?), updating your social media profile or browsing through funny cat videos…? Distraction can be good at times, but the internet has some pull. You can also use your time more consciously. Take one, two or more days off the internet (digital detox). Leave your cell phone at home when you go for a walk. Meet friends in real life for a walk, get your hands on DIY and crafts, or read a book. Contact with the physical world lets you regain ground.
Heal low-threshold
There is no need to attack every little ailment with a chemical baton. Side effects cannot be estimated and resistance to drugs is increasing. You can also relieve a cough with thyme tea, a mosquito bite with buckhorn, or a headache with mint oil and sleep. Many superfoods like ginger, barley grass and goji berries can do more for your health than some vitamin pills.
Learn about herbal medicine and alternative healing methods. Not all of them are esoteric – much is based on centuries of experience and has now been confirmed by research.
Avoid stress!
Negative stress has many faces. An unsuitable workplace, an inharmonious team, tensions with friends or family, unresolved conflicts with yourself, financial worries, constant overwork and pressure to perform, as well as an excessive general workload can lead to negative stress. Negative stress is when you experience long-term and recurring overloads that leave you feeling helpless and powerless, and end up inhibiting you from rationally addressing and solving problems.
Feeling overwhelmed can also make you physically ill. Today we know that a large number of pain disorders, immune disorders, back problems and cancer are associated with negative stress.
Find personal ways for you to reduce negative stress and ideally not let it arise in the first place. Yoga, autogenic training, sports and walks, mindfulness exercises, gardening in nature or meditation help to clear your mind and find relaxation phases. If you find that you can’t get your stress level under control on your own, open up and seek help from a coach or therapist – here you have a good chance of getting to the roots and making a change.
Create good habits!
Habits and rituals give the human psyche stability and security. Even tiny, everyday customs are important. Even if you are an active, flexible and spontaneous person, a regular structure and fixed habits will help you to ground yourself in everyday life.
The rituals can be varied:
Consciously drink a cup of tea at the same time
The daily call to a loved one
Regularly stand by the window or on the balcony and let your thoughts wander
A daily morning meditation
Be kind to others and yourself, criticize less and praise more
In between, take a deep breath or focus on your breath
Overcome small inhibitions in everyday life and try something new every day.
A fixed evening routine, including a review of the day and a short analysis of the day
write diary
Good sleep hygiene. It has been proven that regular sleeping habits and good sleep hygiene promote good health
Recover treasures – Establish a gratitude ritual and ask yourself once a day: What can I be thankful for today?
Be a Boy Scout – Do a good deed every day. This makes you and others feel good at the same time
Write a manageable (!) to-do list in the evening for the next day
A conscious walk every day
Give yourself a smile! Don’t just smile at those around you, smile at your own reflection as well. Researchers have proven that your subconscious can’t tell the smiles of strangers from your own smile.
