Thanks to the dawn of the internet era, the modern world has become a noisy place of rapid information. Constantly checking social media, keeping up to date with modern trends, and being permanently contactable can certainly be exhausting.

Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to protect your personal well-being and keep your work-life balance in check by stepping away from the online world and prioritising fulfilling lifestyle choices.

Need a break from the stresses of modern life? At MYP, we have formed an accessible community of like-minded professionals in their 20s and 30s, providing professional networking events that allow you to network and find human connections in our community of like-minded people.

Attending one of our popular networking events is just one way you can improve your personal well-being. Keep reading to find out more ideas on how to protect your headspace and wellness.

Why is well-being important?

It might seem silly to question, but it’s important to consider exactly why personal well-being matters so crucially in your day-to-day life.

According to the mental health charity Mind, “the amount of people with common mental health problems went up by 20% between 1993 to 2014, in both men and women,” with the rise of social media being a key factor in this increase, alongside such issues as growing social inequality and the recent Covid-19 pandemic.

With the prevalence of such issues growing dramatically year after year, it’s crucial to consider your mental health to be just as important as physical health. After all, the two are intrinsically linked, with stress leaving you more susceptible to a whole spectrum of other physical issues.

When you feel tired, overworked or stressed, it’s important to prioritise your well-being and step out of your day-to-day routine to better your health, your relationships and your career.

How can you improve your well-being?

From physical activity to simple ways to improve your everyday life, there are countless ways to prioritise your own wellness and keep your mind and body feeling great.

Physical exercise

It should come as no surprise that physical activity has long been considered one of the very best ways to improve your well-being. No matter how much you like to push your body to its limits, whether it’s by pumping iron at the gym or connecting to your inner spirit with a limb-twisting yoga session.

One of the easiest ways you can get some exercise and network at the very same time is by joining our Manchester Run Club throughout the week or the weekend. You can even invest in some MRC merchandise! By taking part in regular physical activity, you can:

  • Improve brain health and mental health.
  • Manage weight.
  • Reduce the chance of future health risks.
  • Improve your sleep pattern.
  • Boost your mood.

Meditation

Meditation has become a beloved activity for many people among the clamour of everyday life. Easy to perform, you can choose to meditate anywhere at all, no matter if you’re in bed or in a stylish studio. Entirely inclusive, meditation gives you a slice of silence in a world of rapid communication and work, allowing you to find solace any time, any place. Not sure where to start? Meditation apps like Headspace or YouTube channels such as The Honest Guys can help you achieve such benefits as:

  • Reduced levels of stress and anxiety.
  • Elevated concentration levels.
  • Better sleep patterns.
  • Inner calm and positivity.

Sleep

We’ve already discussed how activities like physical exercise and meditation can help your sleeping schedule, but why is sleep so important for well-being? According to the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), around four in five long-term sleep sufferers experience low mood and are seven times more likely to feel helpless in their day-to-day lives.

Making sure you maintain a regular sleep pattern is therefore crucial, especially as it also improves:

  • Mood.
  • Brain function.
  • Physical recovery.
  • Memory.
  • Complexion.

Embrace the outdoors

The 9-5 is predominantly experienced from within the stuffy walls of an office and often drains you of so much energy that by the time you get home, you just want to sit in front of the TV. While there’s nothing wrong with TV time, our demanding 9-5 means that it’s rare that we can actually enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re going for a jog through the forest or are venturing out for a hike, experiencing the flora and fauna of the natural world is one of the very best ways to improve your well-being. We are constantly organising exciting events in the great outdoors. To stay updated, follow us on Facebook and keep an eye on our news page.

Connecting with nature can:

  • Boost your Vitamin D levels, boosting your mood.
  • Improve your sleep cycle.
  • Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Reduce loneliness.
  • Slow down the pace of life, allowing you to reconnect with reality.

Healthy diet

You’ve likely been told from a very young age to ‘eat your greens,’ but keeping to this truth is sometimes easier said than done. After a particularly difficult day at work, for some of us, the least enjoyable task is taking two hours out of your precious evening to cook from scratch. Inevitably, Deliveroo comes calling. But home cooking and prioritising a healthy diet have countless benefits for your well-being. When it comes to your diet, it’s important to consider:

  • Limiting your caffeine and alcohol consumption.
  • Drinking plenty of water (6-8 cups a day as recommended by the EatWell guide).
  • ‘Eating the rainbow’: A spectrum of different fruits and vegetables to ensure you’re getting all the essential vitamins and minerals.
  • Your protein intake.
  • The consumption of fatty acids for brain function.

Stabilise your work-life balance

Each of the factors outlined above can be used to help balance your work time and personal life. By incorporating self-care into your daily routine, making sure you’re maintaining a healthy diet, getting the right amount of sleep, and engaging in physical exercise, you can help to maximise your well-being and give yourself a better chance of enjoying a healthy work-life balance. If your mission is to stabilise your work-life balance, consider incorporating the following practices:

  • Take regular breaks away from your desk (out in the fresh air if you can!).
  • Plan holidays in advance and make sure to use up all your allocated days.
  • Schedule social time into your daily routine.
  • Setting boundaries between work and home life.
  • Practice mindfulness with activities like meditation!

How our events can benefit your work-life balance

Hosting a wide array of events that range from sporting activities like Paddle to less pulse-racing breakfast clubs, at MYP you can enjoy networking events of all shapes and sizes that will help you to maintain your work-life balance. Not sure what to expect? No matter if it’s your first time or fifth, our events are totally inclusive – just get a ticket and turn up, there is no membership service fee or entry requirements.

In addition to our popular events, we also offer an MYP mentoring program that pairs like-minded individuals at varying stages of their careers. You can apply to be either a mentor or mentee for free and take part in a celebrated service that will allow you to transfer knowledge, network, and learn.

Like what you hear? Contact us now to find out more, and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay up to date with the latest events.