Our mental health is a concerning issue with our current times. The amount of stress we are under is surreal. Today, our mental state of mind is crucial to pay attention to and tend to just as any other part of our health. With restrictions, limitations, and less human interaction in our daily lives, it is easy to see how our mental state may deteriorate. Depression tends to set in when there is a lot of stressful factors in our lives. However, there are some things you can do to help ease stress and improve your mental state. Here are five things you can implement into your life to try to rejuvenate your mental health.
Sometimes writing and speaking can be a difficult thing for many. However, journalizing your thoughts or feelings can help expel your stress onto something else, such as paper or a screen. There are journals designed to write one word or a short sentence. If you are not a pen to paper person, you can always use an application on your phone to document feelings, thoughts, or anything else that comes to your mind. In a time when communication is difficult, we can use what we have to help ourselves.
Sometimes our minds have a hard time organizing their thoughts. Everything can be jumbled around, causing a lot of stress and uncertainty. We overload with the current events and our responsibilities. However, taking the time to do something you enjoy is a great way to center yourself, channel your emotions into a hobby, or escape the chaos for a moment in time. Doing a hobby you enjoyed in the past or taking up a new hobby may be just the thing to help you rejuvenate your mental health. For example, painting or drawing may help you channel your emotions and thoughts into the art you create. Learn to do something new helps you put your attention and feelings into that hobby rather than thinking about what has got you down or stressing you out. When we do something new or something fun with a set goal in mind, we tend to focus on that alone and not the things around us. It gives us something new, something fun, or a sense of accomplishment when we finish the project.
Sometimes it is important to take a break from what is going on. Stress can cause a lot of wear and tear on our bodies as well as our mental state. Take a break to breathe, meditate, or focus on something else when needed. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stop, and choose something around you to focus on instead of what is causing stress. For example, if you are at your desk and you see an apple or orange near you, you can choose to focus on that object. You can ask yourself questions about the item such as, is how does it look, smell, feel, and so on? Telling your brain to focus on something else helps relax you. Take time to breathe. If you have an apple watch or some smart device, you can utilize the breathe apps for meditation. Taking deep breaths in and out and focusing on something else can help with your heart rate and recenter yourself. There is nothing wrong with taking breaks, even small ones.
Social media is a great way to keep in touch with loved ones, but in times when we are away from people more or cannot enjoy things we did before, social media may be more depressing than usual. We are social creates. However, we tend to compare ourselves to others and what they have. We tend to believe if we had this item, this money, this lifestyle like our friends or a celebrity, then life will be better. We often compare ourselves to others and what they have. We find ourselves wishing we had their lives or what they have as well. While this comparing ourselves to others occurs whether we are in a pandemic or not, it is crucial to break away from social media once in a while and realize what we do have. Life may not be perfect, but we find ourselves spiraling into depression the more we get sucked into it. Not only does social media have us comparing ourselves to others, but we also get a lot of news from these websites. news can be depressing with what is taking place, so why not limit yourself once in a while or take a break when you find yourself becoming overwhelmed? It may be just what you needed to revitalize your spirit and mental health.
While there are spas and other places you could still visit, many people want to stay home and be safe or relax. Whether male or female, relaxation is a treasured and desired item of the past. However, there are items you can purchase to use at home to help yourself relax. Put on a favorite movie or show and use a massager for your feet and back. Use a warm footbath and feet masks while catching up on some episodes of a show you’ve fallen behind on. There are many things we can do to create a relaxing environment at home. Soak your feet and read a good book or take a nap while you relax. Either way, you can pamper yourself at home from your feet to your nails and even your back. What is great about treating yourself at home is that you are comfortable, able to watch or do what you want, and you can stay as long as you like for free! You can even pamper yourself every day and not spend what you would at a spa. There is always an upside to doing things yourself and in comfort. You can even sit with a loved one or significant other, and enjoy soaking your feet, massaging your feet or backs while watching a movie together. Make it your own and customize it to your liking. Either way, pamper yourself because you deserve it!
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