Improving your mental health is a step you shouldn’t be afraid to take. It is a real cause of concern for health and is to be dealt with confidently, despite the stigma.
Statistically, the rate of depression and anxiety has sky-rocketed in the past decade or so. Thanks to the booming technology and an array of distractions, it is becoming hard to cherish life’s small happiness.
And as the cases of mental health issues are on the rise, so is the demand for therapy and pharmaceutical meds. But not everyone can afford either the sky-high bills of healthcare or tolerate the extraordinary side-effects of pharma meds. And for those of you, here is a list of natural ways to help keep your mental health in check.
Don’t wait up for the year to change to give your resolutions a go. Start now with these easy lifestyle changes to improve your mental health.
Confront Your Problems
Avoiding or ignoring the problems in your life is not going to take them away. Most mental health issues stem from unresolved trauma or an ongoing problem that needs to be taken care of.
Whether you’re in a tough spot at work, in a toxic relationship, or going through a trauma in your life, confront it. See what’s there that can be done about the situation and walk the right way.
However, confronting your problems, especially trauma, is not as easy as it seems. Sometimes, your problems can really put up a fight and worsen the situation if not treated with care. Which is why it is always best to have a professional overlook your recovery.
Dealing with your issues in a controlled environment makes it easier to stay on track and actually resolve the issue.
Be Outgoing
Spending the day at your cubicle and the night on your bed gets suffocated. Even if you’re an introvert or a socially shy person, you need frequent glimpses of the outside world to keep your mind fresh.
There are tons of things you can do outdoors. You can choose to read on a quiet bench at the park instead of your bed, or you can plan a picnic every once in a while to feel the sun on your skin while you eat. Getting an adequate amount of sunlight daily enhances your mood and improves your mental health.
According to research, daily sunlight limits the amount of melatonin in your body. It is a sleep-inducing hormone that grows to be in access when you mostly stay indoors. Too much of it makes you lousy and brings down your productivity.
Get Yourself A Pet
One of the easiest ways to distract yourself from the worries of the day is by playing with a pet. Having a living being around that, you can talk to, play with, and care for is significantly therapeutic.
Everyone has their preference when it comes to pets. You may prefer a dog, a cat, a fish, or even a lizard. Get to your nearest pet store today and see what catches your attention and what you feel the most connected with.
According to research, having a pet can bring down symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. You get to have a responsibility, and that’s what distracts you from your usual triggers.
Improve Your Sleep
The easiest and most effortless way you can improve your mental health is by improving your sleep. And it’s important to note here that it’s not about how much sleep, it’s about how well!
Typically, seven to nine hours of sleep should be enough for an adult. But if you have a poor sleep quality, it can be insignificant and deteriorate your mental health. You’ll only feel exhausted the next day and won’t have much energy to be creative or productive.
You can improve your sleep by having a foot, hand, or head rub before going to bed. Even listening to calming music before bedtime helps improve your sleep. But you need a much surer way to doze off, CBD wax is what you’ll find miraculous.
Hemp products are botanical and free of the side-effects that accompany their pharmaceutical counterparts. THC cartridges are also a good alternative for pills to sleep better.
Talk It Out
You invite a wide range of mental health issues when you start keeping your emotions to yourself. Isolating yourself and not talking about your problems bottles up your feelings and emotions. And the worst part is that they always burst out at very bad timings.
If not for a therapist, you must have a friend or a family member you can talk to. We all are close to someone in our lives and there is nothing more therapeutic than having a friendly ear to hear our problems.
You unwind about your day or week with someone you trust over a meal or while you take a walk at the park. If you decide to walk outdoors and talk to someone, you’re killing three birds with one stone. You’re getting your daily dose of daylight, exercise, and talking your problems out as well.