Taking care of your mental health is just as important as maintaining your physical health. When you look after your mental well-being, you will experience less stress, more joy and better relationships. Fortunately, improving your mental health is possible. However, it does require some effort, and the good news is that you can see results quickly. Here are five ways to improve your mental health this year.
Get Some Exercise
The relationship between the mind and body has been the subject of research studies for decades. The results have shown that mental and physical health are closely interrelated, and that doing something positive for one area can improve the other.
Working out at moderate intensity, whether you’re lifting weights or going for a run, decreases levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline and increases the feel-good endorphins. Exercise activates the rest and relax response of the parasympathetic nervous system, which also lowers heart rate and blood pressure. In this way, physical activity can positively affect your mood. In addition, the discipline acquired by sticking with an exercise routine will give you the confidence to accomplish anything you set your mind to.
Practice Mindfulness
Mediation is the process of getting to know your mind. There are many types of effective meditation practices out there, but mindfulness meditation has been proven through research and experiments to have the most significant effects on mental health.
The basic premise of mindfulness is to focus on an object, usually the breath, because the breath is free and always available. As you breathe, pay attention to the sensation of the breath at the rims of your nostrils as the breath comes in and goes out. Your mind will naturally get distracted by thoughts. Once you’ve noticed that your mind has wandered, bring your attention back to the breath. That is the practice. Over time, your anxiety will decrease and your mood will improve. CBD cigarettes will also help you relax.
Write in a Journal
Journaling is a simple way to reap substantial mental health benefits. If your mind and body are full of thoughts and restless energy, writing down what you’re thinking and feeling can have a therapeutic effect. The basic principle is to externalize your stress and negativity. Writing down your thoughts and feelings enables you to achieve a perspective that was unavailable when your thoughts were jumbled together in your mind.
Go to Therapy
Therapy is one of the most effective ways to improve your mental health. If you are having a really hard time, therapy can help you significantly. For the best results, see your therapist once a week until you feel better. Most therapy is done one to one, just the therapist and client, but group therapy is sometimes more appropriate. With the advent of secure video conferencing software, online therapy is a great tool if it’s more convenient for you.
Therapy is similar to journaling in that you are getting your thoughts and feeling out, but instead of writing them down you’re telling them to another person. Your therapist will act as a witness, honoring your thoughts and feelings while offering advice when appropriate. This process has been dubbed “the talking cure.” It sounds simple, but it works.
Talk with Friends
Friendships are usually the most important relationships aside from those with family members. Often, you may feel even closer to your friends than your family. That is normal and okay. Family dynamics can be tricky, but good friends don’t judge you and are happy to enjoy your company.
Sometimes, just hanging out with friends can improve your mental health. You benefit from feelings of belonging while having fun. Maybe your friends are the only people who “get you,” so you feel comfortable confiding in them.
When you aren’t feeling well mentally, it is easy to ignore your relationships. Maybe you just don’t feel like getting together right now, or maybe you’re preoccupied with your thoughts. Recognize that your mental health may need some help and take action. You’re worth it!
