Take Care of Your Mental Health

Feeling stressed? Our tips will help you feel recharged and energized

View in browser Taking care of your mental health is more important than ever. One way to do that? Take mental breaks throughout the day, especially if you're spending more time at home or feeling more stressed than you once were.   Mental breaks serve a simple purpose. "It's a conscious effort to channel your mind's focus on something which provides stress relief," says Bethany Cook, Psy.D., licensed clinical psychologist, health service psychologist, and board-certified music therapist in Chicago. Think things like meditating, taking a walk free of devices or even cooking or baking. "The primary goal is to offer your mind a space to escape from the daily stress of life and modern living."   Before you take a mental break, check in with yourself and find out how you're feeling in the moment. "This is essential because it helps you figure out what you need during your mental break," Goldman says. Also, stay present in the here and now when taking your break — "if you start thinking about what you need to buy at the grocery store, which we all do, you're not really taking a break," she adds — and make sure you enjoy the break.   Want help figuring out what to do during those mental breaks? See if any of the following 7 mental break tactics resonate. Read More >>> Apps to fuel your adventure! Gaia GPS Trails, Skiing, Camping, Offroad Maps Trailforks Trail Map for Mountain Biking, Hike, Run Outside Watch Stream outdoor lifestyle movies, series Learn More → Heal Your Gut and Boost Your Mental Health With These 7 Steps O+ Exclusive Gut health and mental health—and by extension, whole-body health and physical performance—are connected in more ways than one. To improve one, you have to look at the whole system. But you can start small, and let little steps build on each other.  What Is Quercetin, and Can It Improve Athletic Performance?  Have you ever wondered what makes a "superfood" super? Or what top superfoods like red wine, green tea, kale, and blueberries all have in common? The answer is quercetin, a natural compound tied to longevity, heart health, endurance, immunity, and more. 5 Ways to Upgrade Your Morning Routine Sometimes no matter how well you sleep, waking up just isn't easy. Late nights, inconsistent sleep, life's stressors, and packed schedules can pin us to the mattress. But you can make your mornings a little bit easier by taking these five suggestions to adjust your routine and promote a fresh and uplifting start to the day.  Go Nutty For This Green Tea-Berry Latte This über-healthy alternative to traditional lattes features homemade walnut "mylk," along with antioxidant-rich green tea and berries.  More to Explore ... YOGA 10 Yoga Poses to Boost Your Immunity Move through this chest-opening variation of Surya Namaskar A—a sequence we lovingly refer to as "Sun A"—to stimulate your immune system and cultivate more vibrant health. DRINKS Mocktail Recipes for Dry January and Beyond With all of the delicious flavors of classic cocktails from sweet and sparkling to smoky and bold, mocktails are the perfect way to celebrate without overdoing it. BAKING 8 Genius Hacks That Will Make You a Gluten-Free Baking Pro Falling apart muffins, over-browned cookies, rock-hard crusts, scones as sandy and dry as the Sahara? We've got tips and tricks that'll fix your biggest baking woes. The perfect adventure pair: Garmin fēnix 6 and Outside+ NOW FOR JUST $349 GET THE BUNDLE NOW You are receiving this Better Nutrition Newsletter email because you are subscribed to Better Nutrition, which is a part of the Outside Network. Better Nutrition | Outside+ Outside | 1600 Pearl Street | Boulder | Colorado | 80302 | USA Email Preferences Privacy Policy