When it comes to improving your mental health, there are plenty of options that you can follow in order to feel a lot better. One might work better than the other, or some might work equally as well for you.
Keep in mind that one solution that works for someone else might not work for you, so don’t be afraid to try multiple options and see what helps your current situation the best.
Meditation
The first way to improve your mental self-care is by meditation.
People often mistake meditation for something spiritual or religious, but it doesn’t always have to be. Sometimes, mediation is just a way for you to take your mind off of things, like letting the steam get released from a pressure cooker of stress.
Mediation essentially involves sitting comfortably in silence, not thinking of anything at all, and just letting your body sit still. You can close your eyes in order to prevent yourself from being distracted.
It’s important that you don’t think of anything and simply let your body relax. Mediation is a great way to reset after a stressful event.
Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is another great option to help you relax, and it can often go hand in hand with mediation, though you can do it at any time.
Deep breathing is exactly what it sounds like. You take long, deep breaths in order to help clear your mind and help yourself feel better. Taking deep breaths lowers your heart rate, which can reduce anxious feelings you might be having.
Deep breathing can be done anywhere at any time, making it an ideal means of self-care if you’re out and about in a public setting.
Setting Boundaries
Setting boundaries is an important part of caring for your mental health, too.
We often let ourselves get pushed around and trampled on by others, especially when we don’t put up proper boundaries. Only allow others to influence your decisions so much before you simply say no.
Don’t let others control your life. Put up boundaries that they can’t cross that allow you to be you.
Affirmations
Receiving affirmations, whether from others or from yourself, can go a long way when it comes to mental health.
Affirmations are essentially just words of praise or encouragement, reminding you that you’re doing fine – that everything will be okay – and that you don’t need to worry about whether or not you’re doing enough.
Such a simple reminder can help you calm down and relax immensely.
Visualization
Finally, visualization can have some incredible effects on you. By actually imagining or visualizing what you need to do or what you want to do, you can get such a clearer image of what needs to be done in your mind.
While a mental checklist works for some, a physical reminder can help so much more. Feel free to doodle your visualization on paper if it helps, or just close your eyes and see the end result so that you can gain the clarity and relief you need to focus without anxiety.
