Most people understand how important it is to take care of your mental health. You may not realize it, but it’s equally important to take good care of your mental health.
Neglecting your mental health can lead to all kinds of problems, like anger issues, anxiety, or depression. It can even lead to physical symptoms like ulcers, high blood pressure, and fatigue.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to improve your overall mental health. Read on to learn about 4 easy ways to improve your mental wellbeing.
Connect with Others
One of the best ways to improve depression and anxiety is to spend more time with other people. Making connections and spending time with people who matter to you is important to overall mental health.
Enjoy doing fun activities or just relaxing with friends or family. Avoid spending too much time around negative people. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Meet a friend for coffee and have a nice chat or watch a funny movie with the family.
Making connections with others will help regulate your emotions and improve your self-esteem. It is a really simple way to improve your mental well-being in your day-to-day life.
Grounding Exercises
Therapists love these exercises, and for good reason! Grounding exercises are simple methods to help you “ground” yourself or focus on the here and now.
These exercises push negative thoughts away, keep you from spiraling, and help you focus on what is important to you or on tasks you need to complete. One of the most common is the “54321 method”.
In this exercise, you take a breath, then name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. Try this grounding exercise a couple of times per day and see if it helps keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
Another therapeutic exercise that works well as a grounding exercise is Brain Tapping. Brain Tapping is often recommended by therapists to help reduce anxiety and can help reduce negative thoughts. BrainTap technology uses an app and a special headset to reduce stress and the fight-or-flight response.
Get some Exercise
So, we know that mental health is just as important as physical health, but did you know they are inextricably connected? If your physical health is poor, it often affects your mental health and vice versa.
It makes a lot of sense that getting some exercise is great for your mental health, too. Exercise releases endorphins and dopamine to the brain, which makes you feel better and happier. Go for a walk outside in the fresh air and sunshine, or for those with mobility issues, consider a peddling exerciser or perhaps some water aerobics.
Get Enough Rest
Getting enough rest is important for physical as well as mental health. You can’t focus on accomplishing what you need to or deal with mental health issues if you are sleep-deprived.
Unfortunately, many mental health issues can cause insomnia at night, causing you to feel mentally and physically exhausted during the day. Try putting devices away at least 1 hour before bed, and develop a nighttime sleep routine that works well for you.
If needed, consider trying some over-the-counter sleep aid medication. For more severe cases of insomnia, it may be time to see a doctor. There are prescription medications that can help you sleep better. Don’t be afraid to reach out to an expert if you need help.
For more information on how to manage your mental health or on our BrainTap services, contact the Wellness Center of Plymouth or schedule an appointment today.
