Did you know that meditation can improve your ability to focus? A lot of our stress comes from our mind being scattered in many different places. 

Meditation trains our mind to focus fully on our task so that even our communication becomes more clear and your words will become more effective. Having the ability to focus makes us work more efficiently because we are able to compartmentalize tasks. 

Social media throws many different subject matters at us and it's overwhelming to our nervous system. Give yourself the gift of reclaiming your ability to focus and you'll find you can retain information better, get clear on your goals easier and get rid of excess mental chatter that may be keeping you from feeling confident and excelling at what you love to do the most.

Did you know that spending time outside offers a variety of benefits for good mental health? Spending time outside can help you decrease stress, improve your memory and mood, increase your energy and enhance your concentration. It can also boost creativity!

Spend more time outside. Go for a hike or a walk. Bike. Read in the park, or better yet, plan a picnic! Get outside and reap the mental benefits Mother Nature has to offer.

We know the long term effects of stress can wreak havoc on our bodies, but do you know why? When we're stressed over long periods of time, our body releases cortisol, a hormone which can have some pretty crazy influences on our bodies. It can inhibit our immune system, impair our ability to make and keep memories and even lengthen the time it takes to heal! 

Don't freak out though, adding a few little rituals in your daily life can reduce your cortisol  levels significantly. Having a chuckle, getting a  massage and even dancing has shown to lower cortisol, so while you're trying to fit in yoga class,  work, driving the kids to class and making dinner,  stop for 5 minutes to look at dog shaming pictures or practice your moves while you're showering. More proof that having fun is healthy!

Did you know visualization practices can help improve your mood and in turn, your mental health? Visualization is the mental focus on an image or goal. It can aid in combating negative thoughts and feelings, setting you up for a successful day. Psychologists have even used visualization as a strategy to treat depression.

Every morning, take a few moments for yourself. Visualize what you want to accomplish that day. Think about your goals. Imagine achieving them. Believe it. Feel it. How does it make you feel? Excited? Happy? Determined? Remain positive. Let it motivate you. Let it drive you. Overcome the challenges and obstacles in your life. If you start visualization practices on a regular basis, you will become more productive and feel happier. Take care of your mental health. Only you can!

Did you know meditation also helps your health? Check this out. 

Meditation can reduce high blood pressure and the acidic stress hormones that cause painful inflammation. 

It also allows your immune system to stay strong because it won't have to fight off the free radicals caused by the toxic stress hormones of adrenaline and cortisol. That means you get less colds and flus because your body's defenses are stronger. Not to mention it reduces hypertension in the nervous system which can cause constipation, insomnia and food cravings due to emotions created in the fight or flight response state.