Improving your mental health seems daunting at times. It seems like there are so many things we need to "fix" about ourselves, and it all becomes too overwhelming to start. But this isn't true! There are so many simple ways to improve our mental health, and some of them have been right in front of you this whole time.
1.) Stay Hydrated
H2O is key to a well-balanced mental health.
Research has linked dehydration to anxiety and depression, because mental health is driven primarily by your brain's activity. Our brain cells require a delicate balance between water and various elements to properly operate. When this balance is disrupted, your brain begins to lose efficiency
Dehydration can cause depression in three ways:
• It increases stress in your body.
• It obstructs your brain's ability to produce serotonin.
• It reduces your brain's energy.
2.) Practicing Mindfulness
Checking in with yourself is an important part of self-care. We often think of self-care as going to yoga, sipping some coffee/tea or having a spa day. But practicing mindfulness is a perfect way to get in tune with how you're truly feeling.
Steps to practicing mindfulness:
• Take a seat - Find a quiet, calm place.
• Set a time limit - 5 to 10 minutes is a perfect when first beginning.
• Notice your body - Make sure you're in a comfortable position.
• Feel your breath - Follow the sensation of your breath as you inhale and exhale.
• Notice when your mind is wandering - When your mind wanders, simply return your attention back to your breath.
• Be kind to your wandering mind - Don't judge yourself for where your mind wanders, just remember to come back.
3.) Get outside
Did you know that nature has become a prescription for mental illnesses? Just going out in nature for a 45 minutes walk 2x a week has been proven to significantly improve your mental health.
Some of the benefits nature has on our mental health are:
• Reduces feelings of stress or anger.
• Improves your physical health.
• It's mood booster! Turning your feelings of anxiety and depression into calmness and balance.
• Improves your confidence and self-esteem.
• Helps us connect and see the bigger picture.
Read more: The Nature Fix
4.) Use social media wisely
We all know that we spend a lot of time staying connected to the world through our finger tips. But do you ever ask yourself how the things we are seeing through instagram, twitter, facebook, etc are making us feel?
Some of us get so caught up in wanting to be the "influencers" that we follow, that we set an unrealistic expectation for ourselves. But remember, their only allowing you to see what they want you to see, and not what is really going on in their day to day life. Be picky about who you follow, because these accounts are influencing us just as much as the people in our every day lives.