In a world where we are constantly overwhelmed with the stressors of work, school, family, finances, health, transportation, time management, etc., it’s so easy to neglect our mental health. The following suggestions are ten fairly simple things we can incorporate into our routines that can significantly improve our mental health.
- Mind your body – the body and mind work in tandem, a healthy body promotes a healthy mind and vice versa.
- Volunteer – volunteering can boost your self-esteem and it also allows you to socialize, help others and learn more about your community.
- Relax more – life can be busy, make sure to find time for relaxation.
- Associate with positive people – surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family helps to maintain our mental health. Make sure you have enough positive people in your life and be mindful of how much time you spend with folks who consistently have a negative attitude.
- Eliminate bad habits – ditch or manage moderation with the tobacco, alcohol, fast food, or any other short-term pleasure provider. They have long-lasting negative effects on our body and mental health.
- Ask for help when needed – don’t struggle alone, reach out and let people help you. This benefits you but also gives loved ones an opportunity to play a more important role in your life.
- Do more of what makes you happy – it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life! Don’t forget about the things that you love to do and make time to fit them in. Making yourself happy puts you in a good mood and in turn makes others around you more happy.
- Set life goals – take the time to think about your life and where you want it to go. Set realistic life goals and design a manageable path to reach them.
- Keep a diary – writing in a diary has multiple benefits. Journaling can help you process your emotions, it allows you to put a focus on positives, negatives and all the emotions in between. Journaling can act as a release for negative energy, it can help you identify triggers for your anxiety or depression, and it can help you to gain a better perspective on issues you’re dealing with.
- Communicate more – communicate freely with the people in your life. The more you communicate, the easier it is to recognize issues with yourself or with those you care about. Communication allows for you to give and receive support from the people in your life and strengthen bonds in your relationships by better understanding yourself and others.
While these things may seem trivial, impossible, or even ridiculous to some of us, they can make a big difference in your quality of life. Try to work past any skepticism you have and work to incorporate these things into your life. They’re simple things that can go a long way to help you feel better mentally and physically. Good luck!
Written by: Amanda Furca, Graduate Level Intern, Loring Therapy LLC
Edited by: Charity M. Loring, LMSW
Adapted from the PsychCentral Blog:
“10 Quick & Easy Ways to Improve Your Mental Health,”
By Paul Jenkins
URL: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/06/30/10-quick-easy-ways-to-improve-your-mental-health/
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