As some of you may know already, May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. While it is always important to work on your own mental health (and help those around you who are struggling), this month is the perfect time to pick up some new habits that are sure to help keep you healthy mentally and emotionally.
Keeping your mental health in good shape is important because it can actually have an impact on your physical health, along with the mental health of those around you. Here are some simple ways you can work to improve your own mental health as we finish out the month of May.
Practice Gratitude
Take time each day to actively think about things you’re grateful for. This can be something as simple as a beautiful day, a meal, or your friends and family. Do this when you’re getting ready for work or before bed as a part of your routine, so it becomes a habit. You might even write some things you’re grateful for on Post-It notes and hang them around your house as reminders of what is good in your life.
Spread Kindness
Brighten your own day by brightening someone else’s. Engaging in random acts of kindness—such as buying another person coffee or offering a compliment— is one great way to do this. Volunteering is even better, as it gives you the amazing feeling you get by doing kind things for others as well as a sense of purpose and a solid place in your community.
Practice Mindfulness Giving yourself a set time each day to relax and relieve stress is a wonderful self care technique that is sure to improve your overall mental health. Use a guided meditation app or audio track to clear your mind, or attend a yoga class (online or in person) to de-stress. Whatever you choose, be sure to let go of anxiety completely and really focus on relaxing.
Spend Time with Loved Ones It’s amazing what a little time with the people you love can do for your mental health! So many of us get wrapped up in day-to-day life and forget to visit family and friends. If you’re guilty of this, try setting aside a time each week that you can meet up with friends or family to connect.
Head Outside In this day and age, far too many of us spend most of our time indoors. This lack of sun exposure can actually be very detrimental to our mental health. Add in a bit of outdoor time each day to catch some rays and up your vitamin D levels. This can be something as simple as enjoying your morning coffee in the sunshine or using your lunch break for a nice stroll.
Get Some Exercise
Speaking of walking, exercise can also have a huge impact on your mental health. For this reason, we highly recommend squeezing a bit of exercise into every day as well. This can even be combined with some of the other healthy habits listed above. For instance, you could choose to go to the gym with friends or practice yoga outdoors!
Go to Bed On Time
We’re all guilty of staying up too late once in a while. That said, if you find yourself staying up until 1 or 2 a.m. on a regular basis, you are probably suffering from some level of sleep deprivation, especially if you have to get up early to go to work or school. Nip this in the bud by setting a reasonable bedtime for yourself and spending the hour prior to that bedtime winding down. During this hour, avoid screens and try to engage in relaxing activities such as reading or sipping lavender tea.
As you can see, there are lots of little things you can do that can improve how you feel and function. That said, none of these things can replace professional help. If you make positive changes and still struggle maintaining your mental health, it might be time to seek out help.
Finding a good therapist who you trust and feel comfortable with is an excellent first step in the right direction. Since this month is Mental Health Awareness Month, it is the perfect reminder to jump in there and get started on your search for the perfect therapist.
