The world has several issues affecting everyone’s lives which is why it is most likely for people to suffer anxiety and depression. Keeping up with your mental health is one thing you have to prioritize because we are living in a world where different stressors exist every day and being emotionally healthy will help us be able to cope with life’s challenges.
So, if you feel like you’re having a hard time with yourself, here are top five activities to improve your mental well-being:
Healthy lifestyle
Our body and mind are working as a system connected to each other so taking care of your body means taking care of your mind as well.
Food
As the saying goes, “you are what you eat”, food is the fuel of the body and it affects how humans perform or behave. Lack of nutrition leads to fogginess in brain function because our body needs proper nutrition to perform daily activities.
Sleep
Do you observe yourself getting more stressed in the morning because you only had three to one hour of sleep?
Try to get more sleep at night because it greatly affects your mental health. When we have enough sleep, it is easier to cope up with stress, solve problems, and concentrate.
Sleep deprivation is common to people especially to those who are too busy to find time to sleep. But if you see yourself constantly having a hard time sleeping, you should try consulting your doctor.
Hydration
“Stay hydrated!”
Make sure you are drinking sufficient water every day because dehydration impedes energy production in your brain that may result in poor activity.
Water has been shown to have calming properties and drinking sufficient amounts can create feelings of relaxation. When you feel anxious or have a hard time calming down, make sure to stay hydrated because water is effective in managing anxiety, panic attacks, or stress.
Staying Active
Being active doesn’t only benefit your physical health but also improves your mental well-being. Try to focus on raising your self-esteem by joining activities, doing exercises, and meditating
Exercise
Exercise can help you cope with stress, boost energy, lower anxiety, lift your mood, and make you feel good about yourself. This is mainly due to the cardiovascular health it regulates. The cardiovascular system regulates the blood flow and the flow of nutrients in your body. Healthy blood circulation will provide you with better emotional stability and mental health.
A 15-30 minutes of exercise is enough to attain the energy your body needs. But if you have health conditions, make sure to consult your doctor first before doing any intense workout.
Meditation
If you're having a hard time concentrating on certain things, meditation is the key to helping you with this.
Meditation lets you focus or be mindful of the present situation that helps you have better concentration. It also allows you to slow down your thoughts and have a deep self-reflection to discover something good about yourself or the situation you are in.
Better concentration, self-esteem, and self-awareness can result in lower levels of stress. And what’s good with meditation is that it’s suitable for everyone so why not give it a try?
Sports
Sports can help improve your concentration and sharpen your memory. Any kind of sport that you choose allows you to be active both physically and socially.
So engage yourself in any sports, you might meet new friends and enjoy this for recreation purposes!
Self-time
Coping skills
Your ability to cope up will be one of your powers against all the problems you are facing. Being able to move on and continue fighting the battles life is throwing at you will make you stronger without even realizing it.
Relaxation techniques
“It’s me time!”
Don’t forget to take time to rest and give time to focus on yourself. Go to the salon, read the book you want, or binge-watch your favorite movie. Do whatever you want. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with prioritizing yourself!
Social Interaction
Good relationships are important to your mental well-being because they can give you the sense of belongingness and emotional support you need.
Find a good support system. It’s not bad to be around people who feel the same as you or who are experiencing the same problems as you but keep in mind that a good support system is being around people who see the light against all odds.
Sometimes we just need somebody who would openly listen to us and cheer us up when we feel down. Remember to also limit yourself in engaging in social media not only to protect your mental health but also to filter out negativity in your life.
Positivity
Staying positive
Wait, your feelings are valid!
As human beings, we know that we cannot be consistently positive.
We are humans and we have emotions! It’s normal to have fears and tears on your face but it is up to you how you will manage them.
‘Staying positive’ means controlling how you think in certain situations to avoid negativity. It’s taking care and being good to yourself.
Practicing gratitude
If you try to focus on the things you have and be thankful for everything, you will feel content and happy. Enjoy the things that you have even the smallest things because that will provide you contentment.
Be mindful of everything you have and appreciate little things.