Self care tips to boost your mental health đĽ
Of course thatâs easier said than done, but âsleep deprivation can actually cause mental lapses and increase stress and frustration, as well as contribute to physical health problems,â says Nalin. âSo, despite our hectic schedules, we should maintain our regular sleep habits in order to feel refreshed and genuinely enjoy life.â In addition to a good book and a cup of tea, you may also want to consider adding a white noise machine, a sleep mask, super-soft sheets, and maybe even a weighted blanket to your sleep routine.
2) Write in a gratitude journal or any journal.
âStudies have indicated that practicing gratitude has numerous benefits, including optimizing our cardiac health, reducing anxiety and depression, and sharpening our brain function and giving us peace of mind,â says Jeff Nalin, a clinical psychologist in Malibu, California. Jot down a few things youâre grateful for in a journal, or on little slips of paper, then put them in a jar and set aside time to revisit them each month. If that sounds daunting, simply begin your day by thinking about someone or something you truly appreciate.
There's no greater form of self-love than buying healthy foods that will help your body operate at optimal function. You'll feel good and be so grateful you opted for a healthy snack over a greasy chip (but remember, everything in moderation!).
âMost often, stress is caused by having too much to do and too little time to do it,â says Jacqueline Schaffer, a board-certified doctor in Los Angeles. âReduce your workload, prioritize your to-do list, and manage your time more effectively. This requires you to say no more often, and thatâs perfectly okay! There are plenty of ways to do so politely.
Research shows that regular meditation can potentially undo the damaging effects of stressâand calms the part of the brain responsible for the fight or flight response, says Aida Bielkus, PhD, life coach and cofounder of Health Yoga Life in Boston. Follow this self-care tip: âSet your phone timer for five minutes. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, and release any tension that your body is holding onto. If you begin to wander off into other thoughts, donât judge yourself. Simply bring yourself back to the awareness of your breath,â she advises. (If you need more guidance, try one of these meditation apps.)
âAll work all the time causes stress on the mind and body,â says Lisa Folden, a physical therapist in Charlotte, North Carolina. âIf youâre fortunate enough to have employment with available vacation hours, take all of them. If you donât have that option, do a weekend staycation or a mini road trip. If thatâs out of your budget, simply spend Saturday doing absolutely nothing.â That means put your phone on airplane mode, binge Bridgerton, or catch up on your reading list. Whatever it is that brings you pleasure, enjoy it, and make no apologies for it.
7) Learn to anticipate problems before they arise.
"Moments that are intensely negative have a huge effect on how you experience your day, more so than positive moments," says Talya Miron-Shatz, PhD, visiting researcher at Cambridge University, and CEO of Buddy&Soul, a platform for personal development. "Start your day by scanning it ahead of time for potential bumpsâare you allowing too little time for your commute, making it stressful? Are you leaving home without enough to eat, which guarantees the 6 p.m. headache? Avoid the hiccups, or at least some of them, and you'll be much better off."
No matter how busy you are, experts say one of the best things you can do for yourself is to make it a habit to lace up your walking shoes and step outside for a breath of fresh air each day. âDoing this, even for a short increments at a time, provides you with many health benefitsâboth physical and mental,â says Emily Cosgrove, a licensed therapist and life coach in Ontario. Research suggests spending time outside helps you sleep better at night, reduces stress levels, boosts mental health, and stimulates the immune system.