Similar to how your body requires daily nourishment, physical activity, and rest in order to stay healthy and perform optimally, so does your mental health. Simply taking half an hour per day to take care of your mental health is enough to ascertain your overall health and well-being. But how do you accomplish that? Here are a few simple and straightforward tips to boost your mental health.
1. Get Moving
Whether it is walking, jogging, running, swimming or dancing, physical activity has been shown to boost mental health, particularly cognitive function, and self-esteem.
2. Talk to a Close Friend or Family Member
Whether you reach and converse about something specific, or simply say ‘’Hi”, speaking to individuals who you know and love can help take your mental burdens can help your feel supported and also a part of your community.
3. Volunteer
Volunteering to help others to support a cause that you believe in, also goes a long way in helping your mental health. According to studies, volunteering reduces the risk of depression, provides a way to connect with new individuals, teaches vital skills, and also gives you a sense of purpose.
4. Unplug & Unwind
Nowadays, a majority of people spend a significant amount of time in front of screens, from smartphones and tablets to computers and TV. While technology has helped changed our lives in a lot of good ways, spending too much time on these devices can have a negative impact on your mental health. So, work towards unplugging from your TV, phone or laptop to rest and unwind.
5. Connect with Your Community
No person is an island. By connecting to your community, you can find a sense of belonging, support, and even discover purpose. If you’re a person with a disability, Ability Today is the best place to find like-minded people, useful products or services and a list of organizations helping the disabled community. So spare some time to get involved with community programs and local businesses, or even attend events in your town.
6. Leverage Your Strengths
Everybody has something that they are great at. If you take the time to do them will not only be enjoyable, but you will gain a self-esteem boost. You can even consider taking on a new subject or even a new language.
7. Engage in Music
Music is known to help stimulate the brain, increase motivation, alleviate stress, and even improve sleep. Take some time to create a playlist of tunes that you enjoy and listen to them regularly. You can sing along, dance, just listen, or even make your own music.
8. Keep a Journal
Note down your thoughts and feelings. This will help reduce the noise in your mind, help you relate and get more attuned to your feelings.
9. Seek Help If You Need It
If you need help from a loved one, feel stuck on a project or have trouble with a task at work or school, do not hesitate to seek assistance. Carrying burdens and stressors on your own can have a negative impact on your mental health. Sometimes, all you need is words or support, or guidance to help you get unstuck or feel better. This brings you closer to your loved ones and community and also realize that help is always available.
10. Enjoy Nature
Connecting with nature has a wide array of benefits such as promoting relaxation, alleviating stress, and boosting your mood. So, consider taking a hike, walking to the park, or even soaking in the sun in your backyard.
11. Learn Something New
This can be learning how to paint, reading about subjects you like, or taking on a new hobby. Learning something new engages the creative part of your brain, which in turn makes the activity exhilarating, and thus better mental health.