Life is complicated and busy. Everyone has their own responsibilities, schedules, and expectations we place on ourselves or which others place on us. It is easy to get stuck in a rut, or in a pattern we may not fully enjoy. Once we recognize we want things to change, it may or may not be easy to know where and how to make those changes, or what those changes even consist of. Mental health is crucial for a happy and fulfilling life, yet it is often overlooked. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple, yet effective ways to boost your mental health and well-being. So if you have been feeling stuck in a rut and are wanting to make a change, but are not sure where to start or how, try starting here with some tips to boost your mental health.
Make a social connection
Social connection is essential for good mental health. Spending time with friends, family, or community can help you reduce stress, boost your mood, and enhance your sense of belonging. Make these connections even stronger by meeting in person instead of just phone calls or FaceTime. If you are struggling with meeting new people and this is a goal for you, try joining a club or volunteering to help increase your social connections.
Stay active to boost your mental health
Exercise is not only good for your physical health, but also for your mental health. It can help you reduce stress, boost your mood, improve your self-esteem and memory, and help you sleep better. You do not need to do intense workouts to reap the benefits of exercise. Even a short walk outside or a mindfulness/yoga session can make a difference.
Get enough sleep
Speaking of sleeping better from staying active, sleep is so important for good mental health. A lack of sleep can lead to anxiety and depression to name a few negative side-effects. It is recommended to have at least seven hours of sleep a night for adolescents and adults. If you are struggling with getting enough sleep, try incorporating a sleep routine. This means doing the same routine every night before bed. These actions then will begin signaling to your brain that it is time to start turning off in preparation for a night of sleep. Check out a blog post written by this author that discusses improving your sleep habits – https://barnumcounseling.com/2023/01/30/how-to-improve-your-sleep/
Mindfulness or meditation
Today’s world is constantly moving at a fast pace and some of us may struggle with slowing down or knowing when is a good time to slow down. Mindfulness involves being present physically, emotionally, and mentally and “getting out of your head” or pausing the task you are doing. This can also help to reduce stress, improve focus and concentration, and increase emotional regulation.
Nutritional awareness
It is important to have awareness to how we are fueling our body. What we put into our body can impact what comes out of our body, such as mood, mindset, and motivation. While it is quick and easy to grab fast food when we are hungry, try eating something that is more brain-healthy and supports our mental health, such as nuts, avocados, vegetables, and fruits.
Being present
Similar to mindfulness or meditation, it is important to participate in appealing our senses. This can involve listening to soothing music, walking in nature, squeezing a stress ball, or using a grounding technique (54321 – see attachment at the end) which incorporates all of your five senses. These skills help bring you back to the present moment, slow down, and really appreciate where you are right now.
Review of tips to boost mental health
Taking care of your mental health is essential for a happy and fulfilling life. In today’s fast paced environment, it can be easy to forget to stop and do the simple things, such as being present, prioritizing enough hours of sleep, staying active, and being mindful of what we fuel our body with.
About Therapist Bethany Winter, MA, LPC Barnum Counseling
(n.d.). 10 tips to boost your mental health. BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services. Retrieved April 5, 2023, from http://www.bcmhsus.ca/about/news-stories/stories/10-tips-to-boost-your-mental-health
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