Mental health has been seen as a taboo subject. Most people silently suffering have felt shame or rejection when speaking out. Everyone has struggled with mental health. Sometimes, it’s difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel or, simply put—choose to be happy.
Here are 5 ways to improve your mental health daily and (baby step) practices that allow you to shed the negative and break free.
Shift your Mindset
This is always easier said than done, but if you focus too much on that inner voice, it can control your everyday thought process about how you view yourself and others. Take a minute and think how often that “voice” speaks to you.
Does it interrupt you?
Does it make you doubt yourself even when situations turn out positive?
Is it loud and obnoxious when trying to rest, read, or relax?
Try this: next time you hear that voice, imagine it’s an actual person living outside your body—would you take that kind of abuse from someone else?
Of course, you wouldn’t, so don’t allow yourself—to talk that way about yourself. Shift your mindset to positive thinking; here are some examples:
- If something upsets you, look at the situation and find the positive. (It could always be worse scenario)
- If you are in a bad mood, don’t find the reason why. Think of your happiest memory and focus on it the rest of the day when you feel yourself slipping into a negative thought.
- Are you around negative energy or people? Try radiating positive energy to others if they try to ‘cobweb’ you in negativity. (Cobwebbing- catching and intertwining you in their bad juju.)
Adopt and maintain this growth mindset. It’s important to note the opportunities and accompanying challenges to grow, evolve and make healthy changes within ourselves and in relationships with others. This growth process occurs throughout our lives, so don’t rush it—baby steps.
Take Care of your Body
Sometimes it’s difficult to just get out of bed, right? Although, once we get our bodies moving and our blood pumping, it simulates our brain and helps us become more focused. Taking care of our bodies is essential to overall wellness. Here are some easy practices for daily body care:
- Drink plenty of water (Hydration is vital for a healthy immune system and helps keep our bodies regulated.)
- Eating nutritious meals filled with calcium, fiber, potassium, and our daily dose of vitamins. (Bananas, oats, rice, green veggies, or even non-dairy frozen yogurt.)
- We all have vices that get us through the day but avoiding suppressants will increase your overall mental health. (Alcohol, cigarettes, nicotine vapes)
- Fun Fact: If you are a smoker—one cigarette contains the same amount of formaldehyde (embalming fluid) used for a human pinky finger.
- Get more sleep. Everyone’s sleep pattern is different. Try downloading a sleep app to learn your sleep habits and adjust your sleep schedule to the recorded patterns. Browsing organic sleep aides are also great options, like pure melatonin or tea.
Set Realistic Goals
Decide what you want to achieve academically, professionally, and personally, and write down the steps to achieve those goals. Aim high, but be realistic, and don’t over-schedule. You’ll enjoy tremendous accomplishment and self-worth as you progress toward your goal.
Start by setting a daily goal, once easily achieved, then set a monthly one, and so on. Consider it like a gym workout for the mind. Once a rep becomes easy to handle—aim higher, but remember to take breaks when you need to. Don’t compete against yourself; work with yourself.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner.
Drawing people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter is scientifically proven to:
- Strengthen the immune system
- Boosts mood
- Diminishes pain
- Eliminates damages caused by stress
With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for mounting problems, enhancing relationships, and supporting physical and emotional health.
Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.
