https://pixabay.com/photos/hiker-standing-woman-top-journey-918473/
Mental wellness is arguably the most important component in keeping you happy and healthy. Your mental wellbeing impacts all areas of your life. While everyone is different and each brain is unique, there are certain tips and strategies that work for all people.
Working with professionals, setting goals for yourself and spending time doing things you enjoy will always help to enhance all areas of your life. If you are struggling with your mental health, there are things you can do that can make a big impact both in the short term and the long term.
Tip 1 – to Enhance Your Mental Wellbeing: Find an Outdoor Hobby or Activity You Enjoy
Being outside provides immeasurable benefits for your mental health. But when you are struggling to find joy in anything, it can be hard to force yourself outside. This is where having an outdoor hobby or activity can help you stay motivated and accountable for spending time outside.
Finding something physical you like to do outside benefits both your brain and body. While you are walking with a friend, playing sports, or simply sitting in the sunshine reading a book, your body is increasing its Vitamin D levels which in turn increases your mood. So, no matter the activity you choose outside, you will still gain all the benefits from being in the fresh air.
Tip 2 – to Enhance Your Mental Wellbeing: Practice Mindfulness with the Support of Somatic Therapy
Staying in the present is one of the most challenging things to do sometimes but also one of the best tips to help improve your state of wellbeing. One way that you can work on practicing mindfulness is by working with a mental health therapist.
Specifically, somatic therapists help patients become more aware of the mind and body connection and focus on releasing tension and stress in the body. While talk therapy is a part of your somatic therapy session, your therapist will focus first on releasing negative thoughts and feelings from your body.
This helps lower your cortisol, the stress hormone, and in turn gives your brain positive associations instead of negative thoughts. Somatic therapists work with patients to help them stay mindful while also healing from past and present trauma.
Tip 3 – to Enhance Your Mental Wellbeing: Commit to Spending Time with Friends and Family
https://pixabay.com/photos/people-women-talking-laugh-happy-2567915/
While it may feel like one of the last things you want to do when you are struggling, spending time with loved ones is a known option to help improve mood and your overall sense of purpose and self. Your loved ones know you best and can help remind you of your strength and ability to persevere when things are hard.
Spending time with those you care about allows you to be authentic which naturally increases your mental wellbeing when you can let your guard down and your emotions out. If you have a hard time following through with the plans you make, ask your friend or family member to help hold you accountable so that you can reap the benefits of spending time together.
Tip 4 – to Enhance Your Mental Wellbeing: Set Goals for Yourself
Goal setting is an important component of life that helps keep you motivated and gives you something to look forward to in the future. Whether it is a physical goal such as running a marathon or a professional goal such as getting a promotion, setting and accomplishing goals provides numerous benefits for your mental health.
When you accomplish something challenging, or something you haven’t achieved before, you are naturally increasing the serotonin in your brain. More serotonin means you will feel happier and will feel an increase in self-worth.
Tip 5 – to Enhance Your Mental Wellbeing: Focus on Your Physical Health
https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-jogging-running-exercise-2592247/
How you feel physically can be a significant indicator of how you will feel mentally. Taking care of your body is an important part of taking care of your mind. While it may seem obvious to do simple things like eating and sleeping, when you are stressed, it can be easy to forget the most basic tasks.
Making sure you are getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, eating healthy and staying active are all vital parts of your overall wellbeing. If you feel overwhelmed trying to manage healthy habits, starting small makes things feel more attainable. If you don’t typically drink water, set a goal to drink 8 ounces one week and then double it the next. You can use the same strategy for incorporating more sleep and exercise into your schedule as well.
Tip 6 – to Enhance Your Mental Wellbeing: Plan Things You Are Excited About
While goal setting is important to help improve your mental well-being, so is letting loose and having fun. If you are only focused on things you need to work on and improve, you will lose out on enjoying things in the present moment.
Planning trips or events you enjoy gives you something to look forward to as well as something to look back on to remind you of moments when you felt content and peaceful.
Tip 7 – to Enhance Your Mental Wellbeing: Use Music to Boost Your Mood
Whether you are a musician yourself or simply enjoy listening to music, turning up the stereo can be a great mood booster. Listening to music is a natural and simple way to help enhance your mood. If you are in a rut, turning on a favorite song can help you snap out of it. Use music as a tool to help you focus, improve your mood, and have something to look forward to doing after a stressful day.
Enhancing your wellbeing is a lifelong process. As you continue to grow, and situations change, you may find yourself needing new ideas and processes to help you continue to feel like the best version of yourself.
Once you find the practices that work the best for you, add them to your everyday routine so that you have healthy habits to support your mental health. Using these tips to create healthy habits will help you enhance your overall wellbeing to live a happy and healthy life.
