10 Ways To Improve Your Mental Health

We all know our mental health is important. These days it seriously feels like a girl can’t catch a break. I mean really? When you’re balancing your career, family, friends, physical health, a pandemic, it adds up. Mental health is top of mind these days to say the least. This key aspect of our lives affects our psychological, physical, and even social wellbeing. Depending on our mental health state, we deal with life and its many situations differently. The better that state, the better we cope and handle things. That’s why it’s crucial to pay attention to our mental health, no matter what!

The good news is you don’t have to be diagnosed with a mental illness to want to improve your mental health. We can all give our mental health some much needed TLC. Anyone can protect their mental wellbeing as a preventive measure, or just a way to improve your overall wellbeing and life. And it’s the smart thing to do! That’s why today’s post is dedicated to this topic. We’re sharing our favorite tips for improving your mental health!

10 Ways To Improve Your Mental Health

Create time for yourself.

First, you need to make yourself and your mental health a priority. And that won’t be possible unless you learn how to set boundaries and put yourself first! So get used to saying no to things that no longer serve you and dedicate that time to your mental health. Take a break, recharge your energy, and come back to it stronger. This time can be part of a self-care routine, a way to learn new skills, or simply a walk while listening to a mental health podcast. We personally love this one on reducing anxiety. But seriously, just set aside some time for yourself and you’ll be shocked how much your mental state can improve.

Start your day with a motivating morning routine.

You don’t want to begin your day on the wrong foot. Enjoying life is much easier when you actually like the first things you do during your day. Trust us, scientific research shows a morning routine can increase happiness, boost your confidence, better your wellbeing, and even make you more productive. So go ahead and set the tone for your day! This can include an exercise like yoga, an anxiety-soothing meditation, a shower, getting dressed for the day, a delicious breakfast, making your favorite coffee, or an energizing breath exercise. You can also journal, take a walk, add to your gratitude journal, or read a book. What matters is that at least the first half an hour of your day makes you happy!

Get some quality sleep every single night.

We all know that getting a good night’s sleep is a key factor in our well-being. Those coveted eight hours are everyone’s goal, but it’s easy to fall behind on your sleep progress. Still, we are here to tell you, once again, that you need to get quality sleep every night. At least let your mind and body rest for six hours! Though sleep goes beyond your physical wellbeing. It also has a powerful impact on your mental health! Studies show that sleep is linked to mental illness, with poor sleeping quality being related to several disorders as an influencing factor. So go to bed already!

Limit your use of social media.

With social media, it’s easier than ever to forget about the present moment and become obsessed with everything else. Social media makes us focus on what we could be, where we could be, and our negative feelings for not being quite there yet. It can lead to jealousy, low self-esteem, and even social anxiety. So if you find that social media isn’t making you feel good in your own skin, limit your use of social media. Or remove people you’re following that make you feel bad about yourself or your life. You can use a time blocking app on your phone or just self-assess when you know you’ve gone down the social media rabbit hole. It’s all about shifting your mindset and staying focused on yourself!

Write down your feelings.

Journaling has been repeatedly referred to as a strategy for improving your mental health. It consists of writing down your emotions, putting pen-to-paper, or just typing them on a digital device. This process can either be using prompts to guide you through a self-discovery and healing journey or just by writing down whatever comes to your mind. No matter which way you do it, it has been shown to help people process their emotions and boost their mental state. So give it a try and see how it works for you! For more tips on how to improve your brain, listen to THIS episode of Unzipped.

Be physically active.

Regular exercise has so many physical health benefits! Research shows it can boost your immune system, help you sleep better, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, and more. But it also has a tremendous impact on your mental health! Studies suggest it can decrease depression, anxiety, and mood disorders, as well as improve your overall cognitive functions. So pick an activity you enjoy and get moving! If you need help building an exercise habit, head over to THIS episode of With Whit to learn all about routines.

Spend face-to-face time with your friends and family members.

No matter how much you enjoy your alone time, humans are social creatures. And when it comes to improving your mental health, face-to-face communication has been linked with a reduced risk of depression. Social isolation can add to feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety, so it’s best to protect yourself from any of that. Lower your depression risk by meeting with friends and family members often, as long as they make you feel good.

Dive deeper into the root of those negative emotions.

Researching about mental health is a good first step towards improving your mental state. You can either find out more about mental illness or begin questioning why you aren’t feeling so good. Both strategies are helpful for getting real and exploring the root of your negative emotions. Sometimes having the willingness to dive deep into your problems rather than ignore them is the best path towards overcoming them. And remember, getting professional help is always a good idea. Especially if you’re dealing with grief or loss. A therapist or psychologist can help you on your journey of self discovery and growth.

Know how to relieve stress.

It’s going to happen. You’re going to have moments where things boil over. So in those moments, having tools to help you get out of a bad mood or mental state is key. You need to know of the tools and be willing to use them. Here is a list of seriously effective stress relief tools you can do at home. Anytime you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or down, turn to these techniques to turn things around.

Listen to podcasts about mental health.

One of our favorite ways to dive into self-reflection and improve your mental health is to listen to a mental health podcast. If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry we got you covered! Here is a list of the absolute best mental health podcasts and a few episodes to kick off your journey.

What are your favorite strategies for improving your mental health?

Taking charge of your mental state can be challenging. But it’s always worth it! It’s important to dedicate some time to protecting your mental health and improving your overall wellbeing. Though, if you think you have symptoms of a mental illness, it’s best to seek help from a medical professional as soon as possible. In the meantime, follow these tips and you’ll notice a difference in the way you feel.