We all experience bad days now and then. When you are struggling with mental health, here are some quick and easy ways you can use for a quick mental health boost.
All six ways to boost your mental health have been backed by extensive research and studies, and best of all can be practiced today at no cost, either.
Practice Mindfulness
Making time for mindfulness is one of the best ways to boost your mental health. Per the American Psychological Association, mindfulness is “… awareness of one’s internal states and surroundings.”
In regard to boosting your mental health, mindfulness can help you process negative emotions, strengthen your coping mechanisms, identify triggers, and help you make conscious decisions. For example, being so in tune with your mind and body can make it easier to realize when you’re off and take helpful steps to bring you to a better mental health space.
Make Time for Creativity
Making time for creativity is one surefire way to boost your mental health. For starters, it increases brain function, as you have to your brain to think up new ideas. However, one way creativity can boost your mood is by allowing you to follow through with something.
When you see a project to fruition, regardless of what it is, it can boost your mood because you feel proud of yourself by the end of it. Creative pursuits, whether painting, sculpting, writing or simply rearranging your living room can reduce stress and anxiety. Don’t overlook being creative as an easy way to turn your bad day or mood around.
Spend Time Outside
Just like how being creative is good for lowering stress levels, so is spending time outside. Whether you’re taking a walk around the neighborhood or challenging yourself on a hike, being outside has been scientifically linked to improving focus and concentration, reducing stress, regulating mood, and promoting better sleep.
Plus, the more time you spend outside, the more Vitamin D your body absorbs. Vitamin D can help regulate mood and offset depression. As well as getting you grounded.
Stay Active
Sure, you can stay active by spending time outside and also reaping the benefits mentioned above, but you don’t have to. Staying inside and lifting weights or doing yoga can still be incredibly beneficial for your mental health.
This is because physical activity, regardless of where it takes place or what it includes, releases endorphins – and there’s a reason why endorphins are known as feel-good chemicals! These endorphins help regulate your mood by making you feel happier. So if you’re looking for easy ways to boost mental health, pick up some weights, attend a dance class, or take a jog around the neighborhood. Staying physically active does wonders for your mental health!
Don’t Treat Rest Like a Reward
Life is so demanding, so it’s easy to go on auto-pilot until everything on your list is accomplished. In doing so, however, you trick your mind into thinking that relaxation is some sort of reward. It isn’t.
Listen to your body. If you start to feel overwhelmed by the task at hand, stand up and walk away for a while. Maybe take a walk. Call a friend. Read a book. If you feel tired, then go rest. Remember, it’s not just your body that needs rest – it’s your mind, too. It’s during rest when your brain repairs itself.
Keep Track of Your Accomplishments
Finally, to boost your mental health, keep track of and celebrate your accomplishments. These accomplishments could be big – like getting a promotion at work, publishing an article, or selling your first painting on Etsy, or they can be small, like taking a shower when your mental health has been in a really poor state.
By keeping track of your accomplishments, you will feel proud, more productive, and inspired to try new things. All of these things can give your mental health a boost.
These are just a few places you can start to give your mental health a quick boost. Best of all, they are all things you can start today. Remember, we all experience mental health struggles now and again. If you need a boost, turn to these helpful suggestions. They can turn your mood around!
If you’d like more hands-on help with boosting your mental health, schedule an appointment using the “Book Now” buttons on our site, or visit our Contact Us page.
