Putting Mental Health in the Forefront
The past year or so has been a testament that today the world at large is putting their mental health front and forward. This delights us no bounds that after decades of mental health being put in the backburner where Wellness is concerned, today it’s a topic people are willing to talk about far more openly. Taking a mental health day off is becoming the new norm. Organisations are going out of their way to create a healthy workplace for their employees not just for their teams physical well-being but also mental health.
In life, all of us go through setbacks, struggles, and unexpected roadblocks. These feelings and experiences trigger grief, anxiety, confusion and stress. It is not easy to manoeuvre life’s challenges at times without feeling overwhelmed. For a lot of people the day to day stresses of life makes them ignore the core issues and they start to get more and more involved in work or other things to ignore addressing the issues in hand as they don’t have the tools to handle the stress and that causes them mental fatigue.
Here are some of the day-to-day suggestions for maintaining good mental health that will help you to uplift yourself while you deal with life road bumps.
Coffee or green tea is considered an elixir that helps to elevate your mood first thing in the morning.
Try to take out time for your physical fitness and make it a priority. Fitness not only helps you to deal with physical issues but also connects you with people who have the same passion. It's been proven that being part of a fitness community has helped scores of people world-wide to be more positive. We are social beings and being part of a community makes us happier and far more positive.
What we eat is what we become. Follow a healthy diet most suitable for you as what you eat on a regular basis impacts the way you think and believe. Eat more fruits, vegetables and healthy fats and less packaged foods packed with preservatives and chemicals. Eating healthy food has a direct impact on our mental well-being and not just physical health. Our diet has a very direct impact on our mental and physical wellbeing.
Sleep has a deep profound effect on our mental wellbeing. People who have good quality of sleep find it easier to handle life's pressures. While sleeping our body and mind both get the much required rest and we are able to face life's challenges more easily. Today the Health Specialists are rating Sleep as high as Exercise and Nutrition for a person's good Mental and Physical Health.
With more and more people now working from home, we have time to do online courses that can help develop new skills while honing and strengthening our current skills. Learning new things also ignites positivity in our mind and helps us get more confident.
Try to do something that you are good at to increase self-confidence. It will help you to manage tougher tasks.
Spend some time of the day and invest it in something you like, be it cooking, singing, or playing an instrument
Indulging yourself in any form of creativity will facilitate you to overcome depression.
The theobromine, caffeine, and flavonoids work hand in hand to enhance your mental skills. Dark chocolates are very beneficial for your body and mind as they are packed with Magnesium.
Try not to use gadgets an hour before you go off to sleep. On the other hand, taking a break from the constant stream of social media notifications will enable you to interact with your pals face to face and will minimize the feelings of FOMO that social media can often stimulate.
Start writing a gratitude journal along with your thoughts and experiences. Everyday starting the day with writing a few things we are grateful for sets a positive affirmation. Not only that it makes us realise that we all have something to be grateful for. Studies have shown that writing about distressing experiences reduces depression and anxiety. Especially, for people who don’t like to express their grief to anyone, journaling can really help you express your innermost
thoughts while gratitude can bring out the positive in the situation.
Watch a comedy show or funny videos online. This generates happy hormones and reduces anxiety. Join online comedy clubs with your friends and family. spend time with like minded people who elevate your spirit and mood with their jolly disposition. We all have that friend who makes us laugh and we must hold on to them!
Relaxation exercises can enhance your state of mind and perspective on life. As a matter of fact, research has demonstrated that meditation makes you feel calmer.
Alcohol is a depressant and its after effects leads to feeling low. It is imperative to keep alcohol or any mood-altering substances use to a minimum if not avoid totally. Several individuals depend on alcohol and other drugs to escape reality, but substance use may get in the path of your ability to perform at work or school, sustain a stable life, handle life’s difficulties, and relate to others.
There comes a time when all that we do to help our mood, anxiety and other issues does not help us at all. We feel more and more sucked into our feelings, that is the time to reach out for Professional mental health guidance. Seeking help is a symbol of strength - not a weakness. Just as it involves an effort to form and maintain physical health, so it is with mental health. Today more and more people
are feeling alienated as they have been locked up in their homes for weeks on end. Its best to seek professional guidance when all else fails.
