The First Step to Nourishing Mental Wellbeing
What is nourishing your mental well-being right now?
The first step to nourishing your mental wellbeing is to notice what is going well right now. When you start with what is working well, you set up your brain to stay in the well state as you plan for caring for your well-being. In that state, you can learn from what is not nourishing your mental well-being as well.
In this article, we will start with the external sources of nourishment. What information is feeding your brain from outside sources like, books, conversations with friends and family, entertainment, news, and social media? How does it feel when you "consume" that information? Note the ones that contribute to your mental wellbeing.
Just as studies show mindful awareness of how the food you are putting in your body is the first step to changing eating behaviors, the same goes for the brain. The sources of information we consume change our bodies. Awareness of that brain-body connection is the first step to nourishing your mental health well.
This article outlines how overconsuming the news is linked to anxiety and depression. It's important to stay on top of what is happening in the world, but how do you balance that with caring for your mental health? What news sources leave you feeling informed without being overwhelmed?
How about scrolling social media? Scientific studies link social media consumption to depression and anxiety. There is no doubt social media keeps us connected to people we normally would not connect with. However, connection is not the only thing happening when you scroll your feed.
Ha! As I typed that, I realized how helpful it is that we call what we see on our screen a "feed". It helps remind us that what you are looking at, listening to, and watching is feeding your brain either gives you energy or drains your energy.
The thing is, only you know if what information coming into your brain is sustaining your ability to Be Well Now or not. No one can tell you what is nourishing for you. That's because you know it in your body. Having mindful kind attention in your body is the pathway to mental wellbeing. It is your guide to choosing sources of information that nourish your brain, keeping you in the driver's seat of your mental well-being.
Today notice what’s nourishing your mental state by noticing how it changes your body.
Please share this with someone you know who wants to celebrate December in the Well State.
Why wait until January? Be Well Now!
Exercising Well is so much more than an exercise program. It's a pathway to rewiring mindsets so you know how to Be Well Now. This is a short-term program that gives you lifelong skills for moving well, nourishing well, and resting well. Move on with confidence in your self-motivation skills. even when you are limited by pain, medical issues, stress, or lack of time.
