Looking After Ourselves While Looking After Everyone Else

Unprecedented is most definitely the word of 2020. Whether we like it or not, we are living in unprecedented times. Covid has provided us with a whole host of extra challenges to navigate, including isolation, financial insecurity, uncertain futures, anxiety about health, separation from loved ones, and being locked-down with loved ones—which can be just as difficult. Therefore, it’s not surprising that mental health and emotional well-being have also taken center stage this year. In a recent poll by the

by Kim Henry

Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 50 percent of people said that the COVID-19 pandemic was harming their mental health, and almost one in five said it has had a “major impact” on their wellness. So what can we do for our inner world to help us handle our external situations with a little more grace and ease?

Fortunately, there are many tools at our fingertips that can enhance our emotional and mental wellness. Supporting ourselves is truly the best way we can support those we love, and knowing this may be the much-needed motivation to create positive habits, even when this feels nearly impossible to do.

As a wise man once said, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” When it feels overwhelming to initiate a more balanced lifestyle, remember that we can start with one bitesized change and take it from there.

Here are some suggestions:

Keep a Gratitude Journal

Include three things you’re grateful for every day. It can be as simple as enjoying a great cup of coffee or the sun shining. Leave your phone at home for an hour or two— whatever is realistic for you. Disconnect from constant emails and alerts, and spend time outdoors. Research consistently shows that being in nature can increase energy levels, reduce depression, and boost well-being.

Make Time to Go Off the Grid

ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH?

Located in award-winning Brambleton, in the heart of Loudoun County, Virginia, Birchwood has become the best-selling active adult community around. Buyers have fallen in love with this new, walkable community where everything you want is at your fingertips including a 20,000 square foot clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools, open spaces and trails, shopping and dining.

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Plan your visit today. Move in this year.

You Are What You Eat

We all know that when we feel down or are having a tough day, heading to the fridge is an easy go-to. But will that chocolate cake or can of beer lift you up in the long run? Creating a healthy eating pattern is often one of the most testing areas of life, but it's equally rewarding when we manage to do it. Once again, experts say don’t try and change everything overnight. Set yourself up for success by just cutting down on the sweet stuff or bringing more fresh ingredients into your diet one day at a time.

Get Creative

This can be as simple as following a new recipe or making an easy craft from Pinterest, or as ambitious as learning a whole new skill or language. Maybe you’ve always wanted to find the time to write a poem or paint a picture. Make that time, and don’t listen to any critical or judgmental voices. Creative expression and overall wellbeing are inextricably linked.

Little Acts of Self Love

Introduce small ways to nurture yourself: an Epsom salt bath, playing soothing music, lighting candles, and getting cozy on the sofa with a good book. Make your new ‘habits’ accessible and easy to accomplish.

Move Your Body

When the mind is on a loop and driving us crazy, it’s time to get into the body instead! There are so many ways to exercise these days. You can explore and see what works best for you. From Zumba to yoga, hiking to biking, being active is one of the best ways to increase health in the body, mind, and spirit.

A Good Night’s Sleep

Never underestimate the negative effects of sleep deprivation. When we are exhausted, everything seems 100 times worse. Lay off the coffee toward the end of the day, and try a soothing herbal tea instead. Play a relaxing meditation or music, rather than watching Netflix late into the night. Notice how different everything feels after a decent night’s sleep.

Practice Forgiveness

Even if it’s just forgiving that person who cut you off this morning, harboring resentment only hurts us at the end of the day. Research shows that people who can forgive have less volatile mental health. This is not to be confused with remaining in an unhealthy or abusive situation.

You have the power to take positive steps right now to improve your resilience and emotional health. It’s best not to wait until you’re in the thick of a crisis to make mental health a priority. It’s often easier to form beneficial habits when you’re feeling okay. Then you have a whole toolkit of positive actions to draw from when you need them most. Perhaps choose something from this list that resonates with you and add to it gradually. Remember, it’s much harder to give from an empty cup than from one that is being continually replenished.

Whether you’re exploring the magnificent St. Johns River, walking miles of trails or meeting new friends at the RiverClub, you’ll love the unique coastal Old Florida feel. WaterSong at RiverTown is close to everything that’s important to you – but far away enough to feel like an oasis.

New Villas

In addition to all of RiverTown’s amenities, you’ll enjoy exercising and socializing at WaterSong’s planned, exclusive resident-only offerings:

• Fitness center • Social room • Hot tub

• Resort pool • Pickleball courts • Paw park

• Clubhouse • Fire pit • Bocce ball courts

• Event lawn • Lake pavilion

and Single-Family Homes from the mid $200s

For more information call 904-337-4856 or visit WaterSongFL.com.

WaterSong is a 55+ unique community with exclusive amenities and access to all of RiverTown’s multi-million dollar amenities.