In today’s world, everyone is busy. It’s easy to neglect our mental health and wellbeing. Soon enough, the self-abandonment causes dysfunction in our lives; taking a toll on our mental health. It is often at this moment that we remember to engage in a once-in-a-while enjoyable activity; thinking that we have buried the problem. However, taking care of our mental health requires the day-to-day implementation of wellness strategies. Our top 5 strategies are:
1. Get Adequate Rest
Sleeplessness causes mental health issues and some mental health disorders start with sleep problems. A restful night’s sleep promotes emotional and mental wellness, whereas persistent sleep disturbances pave the way for stress, pessimistic thought patterns, and mood swings. Getting adequate sleep also helps with cognition, alertness, and work performance.
2. Get Active And Meditate
You don’t need to be a fitness trainer or an athlete. Try to focus on moving more. Simply moving your body is excellent for your brain making you feel good. Exercise releases endorphins which are hormones that make you happy. You can aim for 20 – 30 minutes of exercise 3 -5 times a week. Meditation, mindfulness, and yoga are all proven ways that help improve mental health. Find a way that works for you.
3. Maintain A Tidy And Clean Environment
Try to declutter your space and keep your environment clean. Having clean personal spaces makes you feel relaxed and more in control. You will be able to focus and concentrate better in a tidy environment. A messy home may make you feel helpless, moody, or even depressed. So try not to pile up the dishes and laundry, because staring at them is making you unhappy; sabotaging your mental health.
4. Connect With People, Volunteer, And Learn Something New
Connect with people and try to get to know new people or spend time with family and friends. You can find and join a community that shares your interests, goals, and values. You can also take up volunteer work and do work that benefits people in your community. That way you can form new connections as well. Giving to others is beneficial as it reduces our stress and improves our well-being. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to part with presents or money but if you can set some time aside to help someone in need you will feel fulfilled and happy. The sense of achievement we get from learning something new is great for our mood. So don’t shy away from taking online courses or classes to learn new skills.
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5. Pay Attention To Your Thoughts, Feelings, And Emotions
Ideally, it’s good practice to go for a mental health check-up. You can make it a habit to check in with a medical doctor and a therapist/counselor to assess your level of mental wellness. A great way to check in with your mental health is through journaling. Try to keep a gratitude journal. Write down positive things that happen each day. If you go back to read what you have written down after a few days, you will be able to appreciate and celebrate your wins. Plus it will help reduce any negative thoughts and feelings you may have about yourself. You can also keep a mood or feelings diary as this will help you identify situations or things that hurt or help you emotionally.
All of these skills can help you improve your ability to prioritize wellness and mental health, but the most important step is always just the one you do. If it is too daunting to start an entirely new routine, or you can not afford to make big adjustments, start small. This strategy can change your life as you become adjusted and begin implementing more and more routine tweaks.