What Can I Start Doing Today To Improve My Mental Health?
Just like physical health, your mental health also requires time and attention. Due to the stigma attached, it becomes even more crucial to address mental well-being positively and productively.
You might be curious about the changes you can make starting today to improve your mental health. We are here for your guidance!
A few things you can start today to improve your mental health include staying positive, practicing gratitude, plus taking care of your physical health. Furth more, connecting with good people, learning new skills along with doing small acts of kindness are also helpful.
In today’s fast-paced life, focusing on mental health care is the need of the hour. The sudden rise in mental disorders is alarming, and it's high time we take it more seriously. Let's dive in to find out more about stabilizing mental wellness.
Stay Optimistic:
It may sound very cliché, but keeping a positive outlook has much more advantages than you may think. A few ways you can practice optimism include
Balance positive and negative emotions:
It's not humanly possible to stay positive all the time. We are built such that we have to feel good and bad emotions with equal intensity. Staying positive does not mean completely invalidating your negative feelings like anger or sadness. It means to accept them so you can move forward in your life.
You don't give negative emotions the power to control you. Treat them simply as guests; listen to them, serve them and then show them the exit door!
Limit your access to damaging information:
When we constantly listen to, watch, and read the news, we feed our brains with too much negativity. Similarly, excessive social media usage can also trigger negative thoughts that are unsuitable for your mental health. Social media makes us fall for fake rumors, portrayals, plus unhealthy comparisons of life with others.
So, taking a break from all such negative information will allow your mind to be at peace, and you feel relaxed and positive.
Practice Gratitude:
The power of gratitude is undeniable, especially if you want your mental wellness. All you need to do is find a quiet place, recall all the good things in your life and be thankful to have them. Or, you can also write them down in a journal. Either way, it’s super helpful if you practice it daily.
These can be the big moments in your life, such as being grateful for having loving friends and family. Or even little things like spending time with your pet. When you take time out for yourself to appreciate your life, you feel elevated and positive. Gratitude allows you to view around you through a different lens.
Take Care Of Your Health:
Looking after your physical health is beneficial in improving your mental health because both are connected. Be sure to
1. Eat nutritious food:
When you incorporate healthy meals into your diet, you feel a noticeable difference in your physical and mental health. Good nutrition improves our mood and reduces stress and anxiety to a significant degree.
On the contrary, not fulfilling the body's nutritional needs can contribute to a decline in mental health. Thus, eating a balanced diet will help you get all the required vitamins and minerals to function normally.
2. Get good sleep:
Sleep has a drastic effect on your mood. If you don't get enough sleep or your sleep cycle disrupts, you feel exhausted, angry, and easily annoyed. If your body is deprived continuously of quality sleep hours, it can lead to depression or high-stress levels.
So, make sure to manage a better sleep schedule by going to bed on time, less screen time before taking a nap, and other similar distractions.
3. Drink lots of water:
According to different studies conducted, water has naturally calming properties. Drinking plenty of water holds much importance when it comes to managing stress and anxiety. Thus, keep yourself hydrated and drink sufficient water to generate feelings of relaxation and to be mentally happy and healthy.
4. Engage in physical activities:
When you are actively moving your body throughout the day, it does not only improve your physical health and fitness. It also works wonders for your mental wellness because it
Increases your self-esteem
Give you a sense of achievement
Leads to chemical changes in the brain that positively uplifts your mood
Connect With Positive People:
When you feel at the lowest, surrounding yourself with positive people can help change your mood and thinking. We humans naturally crave social connections, so it's crucial to have strong bonding with others. People with good social support are generally happier and healthier than those lacking such support.
So, to improve your mental wellness, make plans with trustworthy friends and family members. Moreover, you can also participate in various activities such as volunteer work, classes, or support groups to meet new like-minded people.
Adopt New Skills And Hobbies:
Studies suggest that learning new skills and adopting new hobbies impact your mental health positively. They give a boost to your self-confidence and raise your self-esteem. In addition, they also generate a sense of purpose within you and help you connect with other people.
A few skills and hobbies that will make you feel better to include
Trying to learn to cook new dishes
Working on DIY projects
Signing up for new courses such as language course
Reading books or writing blogs or stories
Learning painting and drawing
Do Small Acts Of Kindness:
Helping others and treating them with kindness can benefit our mental health. You feel positive as such deeds give you a sense of reward and purpose, boosting your self-worth.
You don't have to start with something massive. Even a small gesture of love and kindness goes a long way. For instance, say thank you when someone helps you, check on your loved ones and ask them if they are okay. Or, spend some quality time with friends and family, offer help to people around you or do volunteer work in your area. Options are endless!
Practice Relaxation Techniques:
You can also try relaxation techniques. They are proven to improve your mental health. Some relaxation practices you can start from today are
deep-breathing exercises that focus on slow, even, and deep breaths
tightening and relaxing different body muscles to release physical tension
guided imagery where you focus on positive images in mind to feel more relaxed
mindfulness meditation to re-shift your energy
spending time in nature