We are all guilty of burning the candle at both ends occasionally, and knowing when it’s crossed a line from the usual ebb and flow of daily life to being actively detrimental to your health can be tricky – in a world with increasing stresses upon our time and attention, it can seem perfectly normal to never stop, physically or mentally.
How, then, do you identify when you should look at making lifestyle changes to protect your physical and mental well-being?
1. Sleep problems
Your sleep is a great barometer for how you’re doing more generally. When we’re relaxed and healthy, we tend to sleep much better – so if you’re tossing and turning, or having very poor quality sleep which leaves you feeling tired in the day, this can be a good sign that there’s an underlying issue that needs looking at.
2. Negativity
Your outlook on life can subtly alter, depending on how you’re feeling. If you are feeling unmotivated, unhappy in yourself, or generally unwell, your outlook (and the language you use day-to-day) can be a good indicator of these feelings. If you catch yourself making statements like “I’ll never be able to…” or “I don’t know why I bother trying…”, it’s a sure sign you could do with making behavioural changes to ensure you’re in a more positive mindset. Negative thinking has a knock-on effect on your mental and physical health, too, so this is a useful clue to remind you to include some self-care in your life.
3. Nutrition
Of course, some foods are always going to be delicious – but if you find yourself reaching for the comfort of a calorie-laden snack or a sugary treat regularly, you could be craving the short pleasure hit that these types of food provide as a way to ‘treat’ other, underlying, issues. Not only do we tend to have problems when we associate with food emotionally in this way, reaching for quick fixes in the form of food can also cause weight management problems too. If you find yourself regularly turning to instant gratification when it comes to food, it might be time to consider a closer look at your overall health.
Physical and mental health are closely attuned, as these examples prove – and with a little guidance and a dedicated approach to improving your self-care and regaining motivation, you can create hugely positive change in your life. It’s important, therefore, to be aware of the sometimes small, but significant, ways in which your body and mind can alert you to any problems.
