Your mental health affects every facet of your life. Given the current state of the world, many of us are reeling from anxiety, depression, and just overall complacency. Devoid of our typical coping mechanisms, we’re forced to make that “extra push” when it comes to our mental health.
Yet, improving your mental health doesn’t have to be a monumental challenge. By adopting certain practices and natural remedies, you can, over time, brighten that beautiful light inside your mind. So, let’s kick those anxious thoughts and feelings to the curb! Read on for four tips to build better mental health!
#1 Be Kind to Yourself
When you’re not feeling your best, it’s all-too-easy to blame yourself. This is a common side effect of mental health issues. But it’s not productive, as your mind is craving positivity.
Thus, being kind to yourself can take many different forms. Some ideas to consider for a little self-care may include:
- Buy yourself something you’ve been wanting
- Read your favorite book or watch a show you love
- Make a list of qualities you like about yourself
From there, set positive intentions. Consider the factors in your life that you have the power to change. The way you feel about yourself in this present moment? That’s up to you. By investing in yourself, focusing on the wins you’ve had in the last year, and exercising patience, you create a positive framework for your mind to work with.
From there, you can start building healthy thought patterns.
#2 Talk to Someone
How many times in your life have you heard: don’t bottle it in? There’s a reason why clinical therapy is a profession. Talking about what you’re going through—to either a loved one or a neutral third party (a therapist)—can help you identify the root of your problem.
If you’d like to find a therapist, you have more resources available today than ever before. With apps like https://www.talkspace.com/ you can access the therapy you need from the comfort of your own home. This is especially helpful given our current social distancing measures in place.
The reality: if you need someone to talk to, you have options. If you’re feeling wound up, don’t forget that your friends and family are always willing to lend an ear.
#3 Try CBD
If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or insomnia, you may want to consider giving CBD gummies a try: https://cbdfx.com/collections/cbd-gummies/. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the hemp plant.
Current studies showcase that CBD can help with:
- Serotonin production
- Appetite stimulation appetite
- Emotion regulation
- Decreased anxiety
- Calming the nervous system
- Better sleep
If you’re looking to boost your daily mood without relying on prescription medication, CBD can be a great, natural alternative.
#4 Set Realistic Goals
When you have nothing to look forward to, your mental health can fall victim to a pessimistic energy. Whether you’re at a comfortable place in life—or you’re not where you want to be—setting realistic, attainable goals can help you make that “forward progress” you’re looking for.
Every time you achieve one of these goals, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment. This will help boost your:
- Optimism
- Productivity
- Confidence (when you reach each step of your goal)
For instance, consider the following:
- Fitness – Exercise is fantastic for your mental health. When you work out, you release endorphins and dopamine, which helps reduce anxiety and stress. Thus, set realistic goals for yourself. Perhaps that’s two to three days at the gym. Or running ten miles a week. Start small and work from there.
- Career – What are your current career goals? Can you start working towards landing your dream job? Are there classes you can take that will help sharpen your skill set? Consider your career path and try to set some small For instance, you could create a schedule where you reach out to at least 5~ employers per week. Working toward a higher position within your field can benefit you mentally, as well as financially.
- Plan a trip – Another goal you can work toward is saving up and planning for a trip you’ve always wanted to take. Sometimes, a vacation is precisely the boost you need to induce that much-needed happiness. By creating a vacation-oriented goal, you have something wonderful to look forward to.
- Buying a home or car – Big purchases, like a home or a car, are long-term goals that take time to actualize. However, setting these milestones creates a clear path of progress. It helps make the work you’re doing now “worth it,” while building the structures for a prosperous future!
Invest In Your Mental Health
Taking care of yourself is important. There are tons of techniques that can help build better mental health, but the choices you make should reflect exactly what makes you feel good.
Remember that your mental health is a priority, and taking time for self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. So take a deep breath, relax, and focus on yourself today. Over time, the intentions you set for yourself will manifest into a beautiful, positive outlook.
