This post talks about different activities a person can incorporate into their life to improve their mental health. Taking care of your mental health can sometimes be a daily battle. Although it can seem like an endless journey to get through your mental struggles, there are simple daily activities that can help with the process.
Here are five things to incorporate into your lifestyle to improve your mental health:
Exercise: Exercising is a prime way to take care of your body and mind. Various studies have shown that exercising can relieve tension and stress, easing anxiety. It can also relieve depression symptoms by releasing endorphins, which can naturally energize your brain. Exercising can serve as a distraction from stress factors, as it forces you to focus your energy into one thing at a time. Daily exercise does not have to be rigorous: taking a short walk or performing a simple workout routine can make a big difference.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep: Sleep and mental health are actually closely connected. Oftentimes, those with mental health issues are more likely to have insomnia or other sleep disorders. On the other hand, those who have problems sleeping may possibly develop severe mental illnesses. According to studies done by Harvard Health Publishing, researchers believe that psychological disorders and sleep disorders “may have common biological roots.” Getting a well-rested sleep at night can not only improve your mood for the day, but also prevent your mental health from declining. Try to set a strict bedtime and wake-up time and stick to that schedule consistently. Having a sleep routine can help improve mental health by ensuring you get enough sleep, and give you some balance in your daily life. If you are having trouble sleeping at night, it may be a good idea to consult a medical professional or mental health specialist.
Down-time From Devices: It can be hard to take your eyes off the screen these days, especially when almost every task is completed online. But excessive use of technology can lead to exhaustion and even serious issues with mental health. It can be beneficial to set a time every day — even just an hour — and turn off all devices for that time. Giving your brain a rest from work, social media, or other digital activities can help you recharge. Take that time to complete non-digital tasks — like cooking and cleaning — or even just to relax.
Keep a Journal: People struggling with mental health often find it difficult to express their emotions. It can be hard to say how you feel and how it is impacting you negatively. For those who are not ready to speak with others about their struggles, it can be helpful to keep a personal journal. According to Matthew Lieberman, a psychologist at the University of California in Los Angeles, writing down your feelings can help you understand how these emotions and thoughts are impacting you. Putting thoughts on paper can “help the brain regulate emotion unintentionally,” says Dr. Lieberman. It can also reduce activity in the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that controls intensity of emotion.
Seek Professional Help When Needed Finally, seeking counselling or therapy can be extremely beneficial, especially for those battling with mental health. Seeking help is a sign of strength rather than a sign of weakness; it takes courage to reach out and ask for assistance. Sometimes, these struggles cannot be dealt with alone, and seeking professional advice can help drastically. By seeking a professionally trained expert about your mental health issues, you are entrusting someone with the thoughts in your head. Counselling provides a safe space for you to discuss your troubles. It can help you connect with your emotions and develop healthy coping methods that work for you. Rather than repressing trauma, therapy can help you bring those thoughts forward and navigate through them in an effective way. Improving your mental health can be a difficult journey, but it is not an impossible one. Keep in mind that these tips may work differently for everyone, and that healing is a process. The most important thing is to know your limits and find what methods work best for you, as each person’s experience is unique.
@Savera Counselling