Mental health is a state of wellness comprising your social, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. How you act, feel, and think is directly related to your mental state. Poor mental health can cause serious medical conditions that can impact almost every aspect of your life, including relationships, family, work, or school.
Here are seven simple self-care methods to improve your mental health.
- Embrace Social Connectivity
Socializing with friends, family, and loved ones is an excellent way to improve your mental wellness. Try to increase your in-person engagements and interactions with the people you hold dear to your heart. Even though technology like smartphones can be fun and convenient, you shouldn’t rely solely on it to reach out to friends and loved ones.
Just like all humans, you have emotional needs that texting or talking on the phone alone can’t satisfy. Relationships and positive interactions can help fulfill your emotional requirements, contributing to better mental health.
- Be Active Every Day
Research shows that physical activity can help improve mental wellness. Some psychotherapists even encourage things like taking a stroll during therapy sessions to help their patients calm down. Similarly, mental health experts are exploring exercise as a tool for managing or even preventing anxiety.
Your body releases endorphins when you’re taking a walk in the park, jogging, running, or cycling. These chemicals boost your mood and body’s energy levels. If you keep exercising every day, you’ll gradually experience positive improvements in your emotional and mental wellbeing. Healthy amounts of endorphins in your system can also help relieve stress, improve your self-esteem, and enable you to sleep better.
Regular activity doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym. Enjoyable activities that are part of your everyday routine can help too, such as always taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Practice Gratitude
Practicing gratitude helps you focus on the positive things or events around you. Too much negativity in your mind can take the joy of life away from you, hurting your mental state. One method to practice gratitude is to keep a journal. Each day, you can use the journal to record the things for which you feel thankful. Spend 10 to 15 minutes writing about the positive factors in your life.
You could write up to 10 things that foster your gratitude, such as having good health, a job, and your home. The beautiful weather that lets you explore the outdoors can also be a reason to be thankful. Whatever it is you’re grateful for, write them down. Focusing on the positive things in life can help counteract the negative experiences you have throughout the day.
- Practice Self-Compassion
Despite your perceived or actual limitations, be kind to yourself. Don’t let your shortcomings be your downfall. If you catch yourself thinking something negative about yourself, stop and try to reframe the thought in a positive manner.
- Challenge Yourself
Challenge yourself to do better in life because improvements can be a source of happiness. Growth and learning new things can help avoid stagnation, which may trigger negativity and self-hate.
- Get Quality Sleep Every Night
Sleep deprivation can deny you happiness and impact your mental health. To get enough high-quality sleep, try daily exercise and don’t drink caffeinated beverages close to your bedtime. Also, avoid watching TV or using your smartphone an hour before bedtime, as the screen’s light can throw off your body’s circadian rhythms, making it more difficult to sleep.
- Practice Mindfulness Techniques
Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises, can help you focus on the present moment to boost your mental wellness. These practices let you feel connect better to your current thoughts, emotions, body, and surroundings. Try living in the moment and making the most out of the positive things in your present life.
As you can see, there is a variety of ways to improve one’s own mental health. Some self-care practices for optimal emotional and psychological wellbeing include practicing gratitude, meditation, physical exercises, and face-to-face social interactions. Your mental wellness will be reflected in key areas of your life such as career, family, or school. Consider getting professional help if your mental health is negatively affecting your relationships or performance in the office.
If you’re interested in more ways to improve your overall wellbeing, reach out to us at Genesis Performance today. We will help you to be at your best health and vitality through our holistic lifestyle and fitness coaching. For more information, contact us today!
