It’s no secret that as a whole, our society needs to be better at normalizing mental health in daily conversations. With the current “hustle culture”, COVID pandemic, and everyday stressors, anyone at any stage in life could do a better job making sure their mental, emotional, and physical well-being are being prioritized. Here are some easy habits to start with according to the National Institution of Mental Health you can start practicing today:
Sleep needs to be a priority: Recharging at night is one of the ways our bodies can reset from a stressful day. If you don’t give your body enough time you may wake up feeling fatigued. Try turning off the TV or setting your phone down a half hour earlier than normal if you’re struggling to get to bed on time.
Exercise each day: We all know that physical activity is a great way to lose calories and stay fit, but getting in a half hour a day has proved to be beneficial for your mental health as well.
Stay positive and grateful: Try to spend time each day solely focusing on positive things in your life and everything you’re thankful for. Whether you like to journal, meditate, or go outside, this habit will retrain your brain to remember the good things in life when you’re feeling down.
Keep up the connections: After the pandemic, many people are feeling isolated, especially with the work trend to push people to work from home. Make sure you’re still connecting physically with friends, family, and coworkers (if possible) to build those relationships further and have a community you can rely on. If you don’t have many people in close proximity, it might be a good opportunity to sign up for a local club or sports team to meet people with similar interests to do something you enjoy with.
Healthy foods and water: Did you know that being dehydrated makes it harder to think clearly? And we all know eating too much processed food isn’t good for your body or your brain. Try to change up your routine meals with new fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Drink lots of water, and don’t overdo it with alcohol or caffeine.
Even starting with one of these habits will hopefully grow into a lifelong journey of mental health. It takes small steps to reach a goal, so even a little progress is better than staying where you are.
Read the full article here: https://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2023/03/06/top-10-tips-to-maintain-your-mental-health/?utm_source=EA-AHM&utm_medium=Mind&utm_campaign=Behavioral-Health written by Shandra Martinez, visited on March 10, 2023.