Self-Help Strategies That Could Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
Figures show that mental health disorders will affect up to a quarter of the population in their lifetime. We tend to be hesitant about talking about mental health issues, but times are changing. It’s important to realize that mental health is an umbrella term used to talk about psychological wellbeing. It’s not necessarily always about discussing conditions or disorders. We all want to be happy, and even if you don’t suffer from anxiety or depression, there are plenty of things you can do to try and improve your mental health. Sometimes, medical intervention is required to treat mental disorders, but often, self-help techniques can have a positive impact. Here are some methods you can try if you’re keen to focus on your wellbeing in 2018.
Exercise
Exercise is often linked to improved strength, flexibility and endurance, but it can also be an incredibly powerful means of boosting your mental health. Exercise provides a distraction, it helps you clear your mind, and it can also enable you to channel your energy and emotions in a positive and constructive way. If you’re angry, hitting a punch bag or playing a game of tennis, squash or golf could help you to release tension and frustration. When you work out, the levels of serotonin in your brain increase and your body releases endorphins, which is why you feel great after a session at the gym or a run. If you don’t exercise now, try and be more active. Go for walks, take your dog for a jog, go swimming or join some friends at a Zumba, salsa or yoga class. For more information about the benefits of moving your body, check out https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm.
Sleep
Do you feel tired all the time? Do you find it hard to sleep? Is insomnia a constant problem for you? If you’re not getting enough sleep, this can affect your mood and exacerbate the symptoms of conditions like depression, stress, and anxiety. Try and induce a state of relaxation before you go to bed. Watch TV, listen to music or run a hot bath. Ensure your room is dark and quiet, and use soothing colors and ambient lighting to set the tone. If you can’t get comfortable and you’re tossing and turning, consider investing in a new mattress. You’ll find useful reviews at www.mattress-guides.net. If you find that your mind races when you climb into bed, you may find meditation helpful. Meditating can help you to switch off and zone out, and you can do it anywhere. Sometimes, even simple changes like altering the time you go to bed every night can also help. Sticking to a routine enables you to adjust your body clock.
Social media detox
Does looking at images or seeing status updates on social media have a negative impact on how you think or feel? Many of us devote hours to social media. While it can be a really useful and positive tool, there are risks involved. Social media can make us put pressure on ourselves, it can make us feel isolated, and it can also cause us to feel like we have to lead a certain type of life or look a certain way. If you find that social media is getting you down, take a look at the accounts you follow and think about taking time out.
We should all be thinking more about mental health. Hopefully, these strategies will help you improve your mental wellbeing in the weeks and months ahead.