How are you doing?
It’s been a rough few months, and most of us are likely some version of drained. As much as we focus on physical health at Pravan, we have always recognized the critical roles mental and emotional health play in keeping a person well.
With everything going on, we want to support you in all the ways we can. Whether through self-care support or a more hands-on approach, we want you to know that we’re here for you.
While we often associate stress with conditions like anxiety, depression and insomnia, stress can also manifest physically in headaches, high blood pressure, cardiac problems, diabetes, skin conditions and general inflammation. Finding ways to manage stress should be a priority for all of us, but it can feel like a challenge if you’re already feeling overwhelmed. We want to make this as accessible as possible, so we’re sharing some things you can do for yourself, and others that we can help out with.
Ways to Take Care of Yourself
Slow Down
It sounds so simple, but you’ve likely experienced at one point or another that this can be a real challenge. As much as you’re able to, slow down, take deep breaths, and consider how you can disconnect and find calm. This can mean meditating (with or without an app-based assist), spending time in nature, treating yourself to an at-home spa experience, creating art or simply curling up with a good book. Remember that you deserve this time for yourself, and that your mind and body will appreciate it.
Practice Self-Compassion
Be kind to yourself. These days, it might feel like if it’s not one thing it’s another. If you feel overwhelmed or make a mistake (we’re all human), go easy on yourself. We’re all adjusting, working in a new normal, and generally trying to find a balance under circumstances that are constantly changing. Pay attention to negative self-talk, and remember that if you wouldn’t say it to your friend, you shouldn’t think it about yourself. You’re doing great - really!
Stay Active
There are many benefits associated with regular exercise, some of which can be felt almost immediately. It may be hard to keep up a regular exercise routine right now, but you’ll definitely benefit from finding something that works for you. Whether it’s catching a quick class on Youtube, freestyling your own yoga flow, or going for a hike or swim, there really is something for everyone. Not to be forgotten, while sex tends to be left out of the picture, it’s actually one of the best (and most fun!) ways to quickly boost your mood, among numerous other benefits.
Connect With Nature
We touched on this before, but when you live on a beautiful island with amazing nature and weather, this deserves more air time. Being in nature is incredibly therapeutic, and can work wonders for your mental health. Now’s the time to take advantage of your surroundings - you can go for a walk on the beach or a hike in the rainforest, and take a break from an overwhelming news cycle and/or routine. There’s always room to discover some new spots that will blow your mind!
Mental Health Resources and Support
Professional Help
We frequently refer our patients for mental health support, and are committed to helping you find the help you need. There are many wonderful providers in our local Specialist Network, and we have seen so many people benefit from committing to this work. We’ve definitely noticed an uptick in requests for appointments with psychologists and psychiatrists lately, so know that you are not alone, and that this is a tough time for many. Our patients can make referral requests through our mobile app or schedule an appointment to discuss specific needs.
Neurofeedback Training
Neurofeedback Training is a non-invasive approach used to normalize brain wave patterns and improve wellbeing. Reported benefits include reduced anxiety, improved sleep, increased mental clarity, optimized performance and a deeper mind-body connection. Many of our patients have made wonderful progress through Neurofeedback Training, which is offered in the clinic every Monday.
Nutritional Support
For many of us, increased stress results in disrupted eating patterns. Some of us may eat less and others may eat more, or the overall nutritional quality of our food may suffer. These are all things that can be addressed by working with our wonderful nutritionist, Leyda, who can help you rediscover what a balanced diet looks like through an individualized approach. Each Pravan membership includes unlimited Nutritionist Appointments, and we highly recommend you take advantage of this service. The results speak for themselves!
Here for You
We are dedicated to supporting your needs, whatever they may be. We’re all in this together, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
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