Improving your mental health is a lot like building a house. You need to have strong foundations, good insulation, and well-built walls. You also need to understand the things that you can and cannot control when you want to have better mental health. Here are nine things you can do right now to improve your mental state:
Have a Hobby
Hobbies are very important, and many people who are struggling with mental illness don’t have the energy for a hobby. However, when you want to improve mental health, many professionals suggest finding something to do that is outside of work and other responsibilities. Hobbies come in many forms and can be anything from walking with friends to creating beautiful art to playing board games with your friends or going to Comic-Con each year.
Ditch the Comparison
Comparison will leave you feeling anxious and like you’re not ever going to be enough. If you want to improve your mental health, it’s critical not to compare yourself to others. While you can learn from others, be encouraged by others, and be inspired by them, you don’t have to compare your life to theirs. Comparison can lead to negative feelings and low self-esteem.
Enjoy the Little Things in Life
It’s that time of year when everyone wants to cut out all the sweet sugary food and commit to going to the gym. While all of these things are important for physical health, they shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the little things in life. Make time for people you love, even if it means skipping or postponing a workout. Enjoy Japanese sweets that your friend brought home from a business trip just because you’ve never tried them. Stop and smell the roses. Basically, be in the moment and be willing to find joy in everything, from a free coffee in the Starbucks line on your birthday.
Appreciate What you Have
Gratitude goes a long way in improving your mental health. You can appreciate what you have and still work hard for promotions at work. You can appreciate what you have and still be saving up for a vacation or a new car. It’s important to live life with intention and thankfulness instead of being miserable because the car you have isn’t your favorite or your job isn’t what you imagined. Who knows, your gratitude could be your stepping stone to the things you’ve been working hard for.
Take Care of Your Body
While sugary treats are fine in moderation, if you want to improve your mental health, eating healthy and avoiding junk food, go a long way. Your brain needs nutrients, and healthy protein, fats, fruits, and vegetables can give you the energy and nutrition you need to feel your best. Taking care of your body also means getting rest when you are tired, taking a break when you are sick, staying active, and giving yourself enough movement.
Go Outside
Humans need sunlight and fresh air to thrive. If you’re feeling down, going outside is a quick and easy thing you can do to get a pick-me-up. There are even studies that show how important it is to go outside if you want good mental health. When you’re outside, you’ll be exposed to sunlight, which helps our bodies produce vitamin D that can help reduce stress and improve moods. Being away from technology can reduce stress levels as well, which helps you with your mental health.
Try Red Light Therapy
Have you heard of red light therapy? While it’s used a lot in beauty settings to improve your skin, it can also help improve your mood. Red light therapy uses a specific color and wavelength of light on certain spots to help your body heal faster from injury or illness. By providing pain relief, red light therapy can also help you feel better emotionally.
Be Kind to Others
The next step in improving your mental health is to be kind to others. Kindness can take many forms, from being patient with a friend who’s having an off day to letting the person in front of you in line at the grocery store go ahead of you. Something happens in your brain when you are kind to others. It not only benefits them, but it also helps you.
See a Good Therapist
Seeing a therapist is one of the best ways to improve your mental health. They can help you learn how to cope with stress, manage anxiety and depression symptoms, and build healthy relationships. Find one who specializes in the mental health area you need help in.
