In case someone hasn’t told you this today: you matter.
Make it a habit to take care of yourself.
Taking care of ourselves should be about going the extra mile whenever possible. When traveling abroad, for instance, we shouldn’t skimp on insurance just because it will cost us extra. We must always prioritize our safety and wellbeing in ways we can, including our mental health.
Over the past few years, there have been a lot of conversations online and in workspaces surrounding mental health and its importance to our everyday lives. This became an even bigger topic during the pandemic. Spending most of our time indoors, cancelled vacation plans, and, for some, zero boundaries between work and life, have taken their toll on our mental health.
A study published in August 2021 by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) even stated that “the already-challenged state of mental well-being of Filipino children has been worsened by the pandemic.”
It’s important to note that our physical and mental health are equal components of our overall wellbeing.
To help you have a clearer headspace and take better care of your wellbeing, we rounded up the following practical self-care tips for you to try:
- Get physically active. Exercising regularly provides a myriad of benefits to your overall health—from your heart and lungs to your mind. A short 10-minute burst of brisk walking immediately increases your mental alertness, energy, and positive mood.
- Connect with others. While we're now able to spend more time with our families and friends, this hasn't always been the case during the pandemic. This highlighted the need to physically connect with the people we love. Doing so doesn't just alleviate mental stress, but also strengthens social connections and improves your physical health. In fact, a landmark study showed that a lack of social connections can be more detrimental to your health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure.
- Invest in yourself. This couldn’t be stressed enough: “progress at the expense of your mental health is not real progress.” It's a reminder for you to take a break when you start overextending yourself. What you can do is start investing in yourself—from what makes you happy to what makes you feel secure and at peace. A practical way to do this is by exploring insurance and investment plans, like what AXA Philippines offers. Apart from being financially prepared for your medical needs, it also allows you to start saving for the future. AXA offers a wide selection of insurance products tailored to one’s needs and preferences.
AXA continues to advocate for mental wellness, especially during these challenging times. Some of the campaigns highlighted the importance of simply asking “how are you?” and having open and honest conversations about mental health.
AXA’s Protection and Health products comes with a free mental health benefit that will help customers maintain a positive state of wellbeing.
Know you can game plan your way to a healthy mind and body today. Talk to an AXA financial advisor to learn more about AXA’s insurance products.
