In the blog post "It's all about your levels" I introduced the concept of 'levels' and how they help us maintain the background resilience, health and wellbeing we need to thrive. Resilience is our ability to withstand, deal with and recover from setbacks and challenges more quickly when they happen.
The 'levels' are sleep, nutrition, movement, energy, space, mood. The challenge for each of us is to be aware of where we are on each of those levels as we move through our lives. This awareness then allows us to recognise the knock on effects on our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing when levels are low or become depleted.
SLEEP
When our quantity and quality of sleep is poor, our ability to think is negatively impacted, which in turn interferes with our ability to cope, and if sustained how we engage in our lives.
2. EAT WELL
Not eating properly or getting the right quantity of adequate nutrition negatively affects our energy, which impacts how we feel - our mood - and our thoughts about ourselves and world around us.
3. DRINK ENOUGH WATER
Poor hydration affects everything. We can survive for between 8 to 21 days without food and only 3 without water.
4. MOVE MORE
As human beings we are designed to move - regularly. Not only does it keep us fit, any movement, even as simple as a short walk, has far reaching positive consequences for all the systems of the body. The uplift in our endocrine system of regula movement and the release of hormones into the body have a profound and positive effect on our mental health.
5. TAKE TIME FOR YOU
Space and or connection can be as simple as creating time for yourself. Self care and self attention are critical to good mental and emotional health and often sacrificed for the perceived benefit of others. It never is in the short or long run as the better care we take of ourselves the more able we are to love and support others.
Space and connection is also about creating time for meaningful, positive and nourishing connections with others. Isolation, overwork and loneliness all fuel poor mental and emotional health which in turn reduces our resilience.
The final two levels of energy and mood are fuelled and driven by each of the above. Get those right and your energy and mood will improve - quickly!
You can find a free course to get you started here.
All you have to do is just start. Pick one strategy, stick with it and when you are ready add another. Use the free resources here or get in touch if you would like more help.
You are not alone.
Good luck. xx
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