5 Simple Self-Care Tips to Boost Your Mental Health Today

When life gets busy, the first thing to be ignored is mental health, as it usually gets transformed into stress and anxiety which becomes a part of everyday life, especially as our to-do lists grow longer. One’s well-being does not always have to be felt far off or far removed to be meaningful. Breaking down self-care into tiny chunks is easy and makes a great difference in the body and mind. In this article, we have listed five effective self-care actions you can take now to improve your mental health.

1. Meditation and Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully engaged with the present moment, observing one’s thoughts, feelings, and environment without passing judgments. Another practice that can help one attain relief from stress, anxiety and other negative emotions is meditation.

The inclusion of meditation can also be a stress relief practice as taking only 10-15 minutes can calm the brain, enhance focus and lessen overwhelming emotions, reducing feelings of being overwhelmed.

2. Journaling – an Everyday Therapy!
Writing as a method for reflection has been shown to be beneficial for those desiring to understand and work through problematic feelings of ambiguity. This type of expressive writing facilitates understanding oneself, unexpressed feelings, and can also aid in recognising mental states over time. Writing things down or honestly feeling grateful while doing so provides some therapeutic effect to the individual.

3. Work out regularly
Exercise not only helps our physical health but also our mental health. Physical activity results in the release of endorphins which are referred to as the ‘hormones that make you feel good’, enhancing one’s mood and improving symptoms of depression and anxiety. Whether you prefer brisk walking, engaging in yoga, or attending a dance class, discover what movement you enjoy and do your best to incorporate it into your daily routine.

4. Work on the amount of sleep you get
Sleep is arguably the most essential self-care activity yet underrated of all sorts. Excessive sleep may increase stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms to a more intolerable level. Ensure you get 7-9 hours of quality sleep on a daily basis by performing the right pre-sleep rituals, avoiding the use of screens before bed, and ensuring that your bedroom is quiet and peaceful.

5. Avoid unnecessary commitments and learn to say no
Saying no is a vital component of self-care. You can also suffer negative effects if you spread yourself too thin by being overly ambitious. Understand your limits with work and your social network, and don’t shy away from doing what makes you happy in the first place. This will enable you to maintain a state of equilibrium concerning emotions and avoid the risks of burnout.