The stress of life in the nation’s capital can wear on a person’s physical and mental well-being. If you live in Washington D.C., it’s important to keep an eye on how you’re feeling so you can continue to thrive in the city. Many in Washington have stressful or high-pressure jobs in politics or business, and at times these can be overwhelming. That is why if you live in D.C., you should pay attention to three main categories to keep up with your personal health: fitness, diet, and mental wellness.
Keep up with your fitness
Washington, D.C. was ranked as the fittest city in the United States. This may be because 96% of the D.C. population is within a 10-minute walk from a park, making it easy to access an outdoor area for runs, jogs, and other outdoor exercises. If you live in the city, it’s likely that you live fairly close to a park you can enjoy. Additionally, the scenery of D.C., with all its historical monuments and buildings, makes for a great backdrop for long and beautiful walks. In fact, walking has plenty of physical plusses, including increasing heart health and burning off calories.
Have a healthy and varied diet
Because D.C. is a melting pot, there’s no shortage of new and interesting types of cuisine. D.C. is one of the more populated cities in the United States, which makes it a great place for restaurateurs to start new hot spots with a variety of foods on the menu. Even if you are not into cooking for yourself, you will easily be able to find restaurants with healthy food on the menu. There are even lists in the popular Washington, D.C., magazine Eater for the best healthy meals in the city.
Don’t forget about your mental wellness
One of the best ways to contribute to your overall health is making sure you are actively contributing to your mental wellness. You have many ways to do this. You can make sure you’re taking adequate breaks from work or other stressful situations. Take time to do things for yourself. Focusing on the fun or creative energy with a hobby can do a lot to help your mental state. Small things such as breathing exercises and going on walks — which, as we remember can help with physical health, too — can contribute to your mental wellness.
If you find that those small things simply are not doing enough, there’s no shame in seeking outside help. A resource like therapygroupdc.com will help you find the right therapist for you. Therapy Group DC wants you to “get to great” instead of being satisfied by the normal. They will take into account all the different parts of your personality and the issues you are facing to match you to a therapist on their team to help you on your path to mental greatness. A therapist can help you reduce barriers and reach goals, be they health, relationship, or career goals. Also, having a trusted relationship with a therapist can help you down the line if you are dealing with something more specific or severe, such as a traumatic incident or an addiction.
If you live in D.C., and you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed health-wise, make sure you are focusing on the categories above to get back to a healthy self both mentally and physically.
