We all want to improve our mental health. After all, with everything going on in the world and the modern-day challenges most of us are facing, mental health is one of the things we do have control of.
There are many resources for improving mental health, and we are always told to prioritise it, but more often than not, the advice isn’t that helpful. Either it’s very generic or it’s something that is difficult to implement in daily life.
Hopefully this post won’t be too generic, but it should give you multiple options for improving your mental health and helping you to be happy in life (or at least happier).
Tip #1 - A Holiday
Ok, of course when you picture a holiday, you conjure up an image of lounging around by the sea, or travelling to some exotic place. But a holiday can mean multiple things. Really it means taking a break from your routine.
Book some time off work and plan some things that you want to do and can afford to (that can include hanging out by the beach). If you can’t take time off work, spend your normal days off (i.e. weekend) doing something a bit different.
A holiday can just be getting out of the house. It all starts with your mindset, so try to picture yourself on holiday with whatever you’re doing. See things through a new lens and with excitement and joy.
Tip #2 - Socialising
Along the lines of a holiday, it is important for us to socialise with people. A concept that is increasingly more difficult because of technology. Let’s first think of what we mean by socialising. That obviously can mean seeing friends. But it can also mean, going to a café, joining a club, joining groups online, speaking to people at work, etc. Dare I say, even speaking to a therapist can even count?
We need social interaction and just speaking to someone can lift our mood a lot. Not only that, but it helps with getting out of your own head. Often our thoughts can be stuck on loop (especially if they’re negative). Speaking to someone, whether it’s about what’s troubling you or not, can help you feel much lighter.
“It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tip #3 - Finding a Hobby
We all have different interests, from playing sports, to creating art. We should all have hobbies but for some reason, that can feel exclusive to kids. As an adult, it's like you shouldn't spend money that isn't on something 'important'. But the truth is, there are so many benefits to having hobbies. First and foremost, it should make you happier, doing something that you love. Secondly, it brings you together with likeminded people. Thirdly, it develops your skillsets. Fourth and finally, it brings variety into your life.
Tip #4 - Journaling
To improve your mental health, means to sort through the thousands of thoughts we have in a day. This is where journaling helps. Either in a blank notebook or a journal with prompts, you can write down either the things that are playing on your mind, or the things in your life that are good.
Here are some prompts to get you starts:
The thing I enjoyed most today was:
The biggest challenge I overcome this week:
Something nice someone said to me:
The book I'm reading:
Something inspiring I read/watched/heard:
A goal I achieved today:
Tip #5 - Prioritising
Finally, for improving your mental health, you need to prioritise things in your life. Whether that's things that need to be done, or seeing the people in your life, you should focus on what's important. In order to do that, you need to be clear with what or who is the important in your life. Once you do that, then it is just a case of planning around those. Doing that will take a whole lot of pressure off as your time should free up and you will feel more fulfilled by focusing on the things that matter most rather than things that don't.
Improving Your Mental Health
Remember, your life is yours to live and your mental health is as important as your physical health. Take a break when you need one, fill your life with fun things and focus on what's important to you. If you have any more tips to improve your mental health, please share them in the comments below!
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