Guest writer Brad Krause
Mental health concerns should always be a
priority, but in today’s busy world, it can be difficult to stop and take a
break even when stress and anxiety reach their peak. There’s always something
else to take care of or worry about, it seems, especially if you are a parent
or a busy professional (or both). Without those breaks, however, life can feel
overwhelming and tiresome, and you may begin to feel the effects of depression
creep in, which can make taking care of daily responsibilities even more difficult.
The key is to recognize when you are feeling
overwhelmed, learn how to take steps to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety,
and to cope with those feelings once they show up. This will help you feel
better, and it will also improve your relationships, work performance, and
overall well-being. Think of some activities that make you happy -- such as
gardening or drawing -- and work them into your day. Making time for hobbies
and doing things that make you feel happy and relaxed will help keep you focused
and energized.
Keep reading for some great tips on how to
boost your mental health with self-care.
Reduce
Stress When You Can
Though it’s not always easy to do, reducing
stress can help you feel more in control and boost your self-confidence. Think
about the areas of your life that hold the most stress. Are you overworked? Is
it hard for you to find time to clean your house? Are there financial worries?
Try to pinpoint exactly what’s causing you to feel overwhelmed so you can come
up with a plan of action to tackle it. Talk to your boss about getting some
help for your workload, hire a cleaning service or start a chore
chart for the kids to complete, and create a budget that will help you
tighten things up and get back on track. Reducing these stresses will allow you
to relax a bit more and find happiness even on the busiest of days.
Find a
Hobby
Hobbies are wonderful for reducing stress;
they can raise self-esteem and help you relax. Set up a meditation space in
your home where you can take a few minutes away several times a day.
Incorporate calming colors and mood lighting to help keep you focused. A hobby
can even help you make extra money. For instance, if your hobby is to create
handmade items, you can sell them in an online storefront. Outdoor hobbies like
gardening may help you reap even more benefits. Just being outside has calming
and stress-reducing qualities of its own.
Change
Up Your Workout Routine
Everyone needs a good diet and exercise
routine in their lives, and a good workout can help you feel energized and
ready to take on anything. If you haven’t changed up your workout in a while --
or if you haven’t been able to make time to get active lately -- think of some
fun ways to work exercise into your day. Go for a bike ride, take the dog to
the park and go for a run with him, or have a swim at the local YMCA. Think
outside the box a bit and make your workout fun for a chance to really boost
your mental health after a long day.
Get
Good Rest
It’s nearly impossible to feel fulfilled and
on top of things when you haven’t had good sleep, yet so many Americans either
don’t sleep long enough or find that they can’t get adequate rest, which leaves
them feeling groggy and irritable the next day. Over a period of time, this can
seriously damage your physical and mental health, so it’s important to do what
you can to rest easy. Start a bedtime routine that will help you wind down for
the day -- such as turning off all screens, reading a book, and taking a hot
shower. Filling your diet with
superfoods like almonds, edamame or a night time ritual of a cup of tea also can help
promote healthy sleep.
Taking care of your mental health can help you
feel better, and it can allow you to take control of your life as well. When
you reduce stress and anxiety, you’re also telling yourself that you are worth
much more than those feelings and that you deserve happiness.
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