Putting Yourself First
Mental health is key to a positive and fulfilling life. Sometimes it’s all too easy to take our emotional health for granted and get burnt out, which is why this list goes over 20 easy ways to boost your brain and feel better.
1. Face-to-Face Time
Humans greatly benefit from face time with other people. Social media and phone calls are great and all, but nothing quite beats sitting across from someone you love. Take the time to plan some group activities and get social.
LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash
2. Essential Oils
Mental health isn’t just about the emotional, but it’s also about the physical. To be specific, you should appease all five of your senses, including your sense of smell. For some, that means getting some essential oils, while a simple scented candle will do for others.
3. Soft Music
Speaking of senses, you should also appease your ears. Play some calming music in the background while you work or do chores. Additionally, you could pick up an instrument and make your own music.
4. Forest Bathing
Forest bathing is a practice where you go out into a natural area, like a forest, and simply soak up the scenery. Seeing nature and greenery has a resounding effect on the human brain and promotes happiness.
5. Schedule Downtime
Life can get super busy, and sometimes people forget to prioritize their own needs and health. With that in mind, be sure to schedule yourself breaks or you-time so you can digest the day and check in with how you’re feeling.
6. Stick to a Routine
Like many animals, humans greatly benefit from routines. You don’t have to schedule every minute of your day, but blocking out time for special activities like breaks or a creative hobby is a great way to feel good.
7. Have Conversations
Humans are social creatures, and engaging with one another is a great way to boost our mental health. You can even share your feelings and concerns and find validation, ideas, or simply a reliable person to talk to.
Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash
8. Prioritize Sleep
Lots of people stay up way too late trying to do everything they need to get done in one day. Alternatively, some people wake up way too early for their jobs as is. It’s important to make sure you’re getting the 8 hours you need, as a lack of quality sleep can have terrible effects on the brain.
9. Have Hobbies
Between working, sleeping, and eating, it may feel like there’s not time left in the day to actually live your life. But it’s crucial to carve out time for hobbies, as they can make you feel more fulfilled. Additionally, hobbies are a great way to learn new skills and try the many things this world has to offer.
10. Practice Mindfulness
For some people, meditating is simply too boring and too hard, but there are luckily numerous other ways to be mindful. You can do some grounding exercises or simply spend a few minutes at night reflecting about your day before bed.
11. Take Walks
It’s no secret that movement is directly linked to health and happiness. Even something as light as a ten-minute walk every day will have numerous mental and physical benefits.
12. Hydrate
By now, everyone knows they need to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated ensures your brain is working at its best and is getting everything it needs to maintain emotional stability.
13. Balanced Diet
While water is crucial to life, having a balanced diet is also necessary if you want to fuel your mind with proper nourishment. Make sure you’re having a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains throughout the day.
14. Try Journaling
Journaling is another mindfulness activity that can help you put your thoughts into perspective and also reflect on your day-to-day. Additionally, journaling helps you set goals, which will make you feel even more fulfilled when you tick them off your to-do list.
15. Create Relaxing Spaces
Returning to the physical senses, it’s important to ensure the space around you is relaxing and conducive to self-care. This could mean setting up a cozy nook for reading or ensuring your bed is plush with the most comfortable sheets.
16. Sign Up for a Class
A class is a great way to learn new skills and work out your brain muscles. You could sign up for a physical class like dancing in order to get some much-needed movement too, or do something adventurous like bird-watching.
17. Try Volunteering
Volunteering is known to have great effects on your sense of self and your empathy toward others. It can be a very fulfilling experience that gives people purpose, which is all someone might need to prevent feeling aimless.
18. Get Creative
Creative outlets are equally important as they provide therapeutic diversions from the stress and tension of your day-to-day. You could do anything from cooking to painting.
19. Get Help
If the emotional turmoil and stress are ever too much, you should never be afraid to get help. This doesn’t always mean seeking out a professional, as sometimes simply talking to a trusted friend or a loved one can provide some relief.
Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
20. Go Outside
If things ever feel like too much, take a moment to step outside and distract yourself. Breathing in some fresh air and taking a light walk somewhere pretty is known to boost mental health and help you feel better.
KEEP ON READING
