Mental Health and Wellness Habits to Live By

It’s a fact - 96% of worries never come true, and 30 seconds of hugging can reduce one-third of stress. But did you know that two or more weekly sessions of strength training can reduce mortality due to illness by 23%, 6 minutes of reading per day can reduce 68% of stress, 20 minutes of exercise can improve memory by 20%, and 18 minutes of napping can provide three hours worth of sleep? It’s no surprise that mental health is becoming an increasingly important topic in today’s society. We are constantly bombarded with information about how to take care of our bodies, but what about our minds? Fortunately, there are many small habits we can incorporate into our daily lives to help keep us mentally healthy. One such habit is strength training. According to a study conducted by the American Heart Association, engaging in two or more weekly sessions of strength training has been linked to a 23% reduction in mortality due to illness. Strength training not only helps build muscle mass but also improves overall physical health which in turn helps promote better mental health. Another habit we should all be incorporating into our lives is reading for at least six minutes each day. A recent study conducted by the University College London found that reading for six minutes per day reduces 68% of stress levels among participants after just one month! Reading not only helps reduce stress levels but also provides an escape from reality and allows us to explore new worlds through books. In addition to strength training and reading, exercising for 20 minutes each day has been linked with improved memory performance according to research published in the journal Neurobiology Of Learning And Memory. Exercise increases blood flow throughout the body which helps oxygenate the brain and therefore improves cognitive functioning including memory recall ability. Finally, taking short naps throughout the day has been proven effective at reducing fatigue levels while increasing alertness according to a study conducted by NASA on their pilots and astronauts during long missions. The study found that 18 minutes was the optimal amount time needed for a nap as it provided participants with three hours worth of sleep! Taking short naps throughout the day will help you stay alert while reducing fatigue levels so you can stay productive throughout your workday or school schedule.