Your mental health is, above all, the most important thing we need to care for. The state of your mental health determines the way we feel, think, and how you behave. It affects nearly every aspect of your daily life, even from an early age.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a prime reason for depression and anxiety for many. However, the overwhelming year of 2020 has passed, and we are finally entering a new year, so it’s time to implement some mental health strategies! Take advantage of this fresh start and set some self-care resolutions to help improve your mental health!
Drink More Water
One of the best benefits of drinking water is that it helps you flush and detox harmful toxins. Toxins can be a contributing factor to poor mental health, which is why drinking plenty of water has shown to be an effective way to combating anxiety or depression. Other benefits include:
- It keeps your skin smooth
- It helps you lose weight
- Increases exercise performance
- Maintains a healthy blood pressure
- Regulates your digestive system
- It keeps your joints lubricated
Also, we may not realize it, but dehydration can be why you wake up feeling grumpy. Having a glass of water right after waking up will help you start off your day in a better mood.
Volunteer More
Feeling like you are a good asset to the community and helping others is a way to increase your self-esteem. It’s crucial for one’s mental health to feel meaningful. Find ways to participate in local activities in order to help your community or research some charities and see how you’re able to help the less fortunate.
Write More
Writing in a journal has proved to be one of the most effective mental health tips. It allows you to channel your negative emotions and clears your head from brain fog. You’ll learn how to express yourself healthily, and you’ll have the opportunity to approach negative situations with mindfulness.
A few suggestions that’ll help you stick to journaling are:
- Try your best to write a little each day but don’t criticize yourself if you can’t
- Don’t feel the need to share your journal unless you want to
- Write about whatever feels right to you
You could always keep a journal the old-fashioned way by buying a special notebook. If not, writing on separate sheets of paper or even on an electronic device can work just as fine.
Make Exercising a Habit
Another habit to include in your self-care routine is exercising regularly. Whenever you work out, your brain creates and releases endorphins, which helps you feel in a good mood. Working out also has proved to improve sleep quality and boost energy throughout the day.
You don’t have to exercise every day for hours non-stop to reap benefits. Even training three times a week for 10-15 minutes can be enough. Just taking walks can also help improve your mental health.
Improve Your Nutrition
Eating comfort food can be good for you once in a while, as we all need to allow ourselves to enjoy our favorite treats. Yet, keeping a good, balanced diet does help keep your brain clear and more alert.
Research also shows that processed foods and sugars lead to inflammation of the brain and nervous system. This, in turn, causes your mental health to worsen. Making sure you’re feeding your body the necessary nutrients not only improves your organ function but also keeps your brain healthy.
Develop a Beauty Routine
It’s only natural for life to get in the way, making you not have enough time to invest in yourself. A great way to practice a self-care routine is by taking the time to follow a beauty routine. A beauty routine can mean developing a good skin-care routine before bed or setting up the perfect bath once a week.
Forget About Social Media
Social media can be fun and a great way to keep in touch with friends. Yet, if not used in a balanced way, it can lead you to compare yourself to others in a critical way. It can also rob you of valuable time.
Try to reduce your time on social media. Start off by reducing 30 minutes a day and then slowly increase to an hour or a couple of hours less each day. If not, you could set up a schedule and have a specific time frame for checking social media.
Don’t Overdo It With Alcohol
A glass of wine is always a nice treat to have after a long day. However, people who struggle with mental health should be careful when it comes to alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol can trigger or worsen anxiety and depression symptoms.
Practice Mindful Meditation
Meditation can help increase your focus, learn to live in the moment and help you embrace yourself without self-criticism. It also teaches you how to become aware of your negative emotions and allows you to let them go instead of contemplating them. Try dedicating a couple of minutes a day at a time that is convenient for you and slowly work your way up.
Fulfill Your Self-Care Resolutions Along With Therapy
Seeking out professional help can be a challenging step to take. However, visiting a certified specialist is one of the best, if not the best, mental health strategies. On your self-care resolutions list, try to include this vital step.
At D’Amore Mental Health Facility, we have a professional team ready to provide the right treatment for you. We want to help and get you started on your road to mental health recovery, especially after having such a tough year. Contact us today, and we will help address all your questions and concerns.