It’s Mental Health Awareness month; a time for reconnecting and reprioritizing self-care, healing, and wellness. As you consider what that means for you, here are a few Mental Health Tips to reflect on.
Exercise:
Making exercise a part of your regular routine can help support mental wellness. Even taking a short walk or climbing a flight of stairs can reduce stress and increase alertness. A regular exercise routine can boost your energy level, increase concentration, and even help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. No gym? No time? No Problem. Check out these four mini exercises from Move it Monday.
Sleep Well:
Having a consistent sleep routine not only supports your physical well-being, but is key for mental health support as well. It is recommended to sleep about 8 hours per night. Getting sufficient sleep on a regular basis can improve your attention, improve your memory and learning, and improve your mental health. It’s best to wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends and holidays. Get even more tips on how to get a good night’s sleep!
Connect With Others:
While connecting virtually via a screen is sometimes necessary and often considered more “convenient”, be sure to make time for in-person connection as well. Friends, family, pets…even a casual friendly hello to a stranger can boost positive feelings, help ward off depression and anxiety, and make you feel connected to others. Focus on the quality of your friendships and relationships, not the quantity. If someone helps you feel supported, happy, useful, liked or loved, or any other positive feelings, keep the connection going. Connecting with others doesn’t have to be difficult. Try sending a text message to a friend, connect with others who share your values and interests such as a faith community, or volunteer for an event you care about. Check out more ways to build meaningful social connections.
Be present:
Spending too much time planning, problem-solving, daydreaming, or thinking negative or random thoughts can be draining. It can also make you more likely to experience stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression. Practicing mindfulness exercises can help you direct your attention away from this kind of thinking and engage with the world around you. Simple mindfulness exercises can be practiced anywhere and anytime. Headspace is a great resource for mindfulness exercises.
Of course there are many other tips and tricks to consider around Mental Health but, it can be overwhelming to try everything all at once. These 4 tips are a great place to start; focus your attention on these 4 seemingly simple practices, and you are sure to notice a difference in your Mental Wellness!