Although there’s no bad time of the year to focus on taking care of your mental well-being, May is particularly appropriate, because it is Mental Health Awareness Month. Keep reading to learn some simple strategies that could help you have a clear, calm mind.
Get Moving
If your head is filled with negative thoughts, you may not feel like doing any type of activity. However, exercise can help you figure out solutions to problems you may be facing and also banish strong emotions such as anger. Try to view exercise as something you enjoy doing, rather than a chore. Take the advice from The Positive Dog book and make it a thankful walk, where you count your blessings and think about what you’re thankful for while walking.
Talk to a Trustworthy Friend
Sometimes people feel reluctant to confide in friends when going through hard times because they feel it would be burdensome to do so. However, your true friends should stick by you through thick and thin and be more than willing to lend an ear if you’re feeling down in the dumps. Be sure to return the favor by also being there for friends who are in similar situations, and always aim to be supportive rather than judgmental. Relationships give meaning to life and it’s proven good relationships boost your mental health.
Start Planting a Garden
Maybe you don’t consider yourself a person who has a green thumb, but that’s no reason to avoid having at least a small garden. Being outside in nature is a wonderful way to enjoy life, and the satisfaction you get from watching a seed turn into something more substantial can greatly improve your self-esteem and overall mental health. You don’t even have to start from a seed if you think it will take too much work; buy fresh herbs from a farmer’s market or create a small flower garden for your yard or, if you’re in an apartment, your deck.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Boredom can contribute to poor mental health, especially if you don’t take steps to tackle it. Many people think there are several advantages to having a routine, and in some cases that’s true. However, it can also be extremely refreshing to do something unlike anything you’ve ever done before. That could mean joining a community sports team or, perhaps, deciding you’ll start volunteering your time at a local homeless shelter once a week. By boldly challenging yourself to broaden your horizons, you’ll simultaneously prove to yourself and others that you are extremely capable and versatile, while ensuring you’ll never lack for something to do.
Listen to Music with Positive Themes
Music is a very powerful tool for altering your mindset. Try to pick out a few artists that characteristically have upbeat and relevant lyrics, and listen to them throughout the day. The Winter Line, Jake Clemons, The Mowgli’s and Matisyahu are several examples of artists that could brighten your state of mind. Creating music—whether it’s singing or playing an instrument—has tremendous benefits for our mental health. That’s why many rehab facilities offer music therapy to help those suffering from addiction help both their physical and mental health through songs.
Write in a Journal
Mental health can also be adversely impacted by situations that we are too afraid to deal with in real life. Keeping things bottled up is very unhealthy and can cause anxiety. Get into the habit of writing in a journal at least once per day. The blank pages can become a safe place to work through things you may be uncomfortable with discussing publicly.
Luckily, it’s not difficult to be proactive about improving your mental well-being. The results you enjoy could carry over into other areas of your life, too.
