Mental health is important. It is finally being acknowledged as an issue that many people struggle with and there are so many resources out there to help people who might be struggling. Actively seeking out ways to improve your mental health is a great step in the right direction, and it can drastically change your quality of life.
Practicing good mental hygiene will help you towards developing and maintaining a better relationship with yourself as well as better personal, professional and even family relationships.
Tips For Mental Hygiene And Peace Of Mind
Let’s look at a few great ways to keep up your mental hygiene and gain peace of mind.
1. Spend Time Outdoors
Spending time outdoors is important. This is a technique used in holistic therapy to reset the system and to get that much-needed Vitamin D. Vitamin D is important to keep you happy and when you don’t get enough sunlight - especially in the colder winter months - sadness and depression begin to creep in.
Vitamin D also boosts the immune system and keeps energy levels up, among many other benefits. You should be getting out into the sun at least once a day for a few minutes.
2. Get Moving
Moving around and getting your blood pumping has been scientifically proven to improve your mental health. So, how much exercise is necessary? You don’t need to do the most extreme of sports to enjoy the benefits. Moving around for a minimum of 20 minutes can do the trick.
Whether it’s going for a walk or training at the gym for an hour, endorphins are released when you get your heart pumping and this boosts your overall well-being. Consider starting your day with a few stretches.
This gets your blood pumping first thing in the morning and even though it isn’t a lot, even this little bit can make you feel more energized. If you don’t like exercising in front of others there are plenty of youtube tutorials you can watch and recreate in the comfort of your own home.
However, consider joining an exercise class. This gives you a sense of community and can help you keep up with regular exercise. Not to mention, you get a bit of social interaction outside of the workplace and your usual social circles.
3. Connect with Other
Maintaining healthy social relations is incredibly important for your mental health. Meaningful friendships are needed for lasting mental and emotional health. They bring you happiness and act as an important support system. Sometimes it’s better to talk to friends about personal issues than it is to talk to family members. If you've moved to a new town and don’t have any friends try to make some. You do this by being a regular. A regular at gym classes, going to work at the same coffee shop all the time, anywhere that you frequent regularly becomes a place you can make friends. All you have to do is strike up a conversation.
4. Eat Healthily
You are what you eat and if what you eat isn’t good for you, you will not feel good. Some people tend to comfort eat when they don’t feel good, so how do you avoid this? Fast food is easy because it’s fast, but meal prepping or planning ahead can cut cooking time and make it to your plate just as fast. When you plan your meals at the beginning of the week you can shop for everything you need and have it on hand for when you need it. Weekly meal boxes can also help you with this.
5. Reflection and Meditation
Reflecting on your wins and the small positive things can really help when life seems overwhelming and completely out of your control. Mindfulness and meditation are important. Finding a quiet place and learning to calm your mind helps you find deep peace. Find a few moments in your day to reflect on the things that are most important to you and put your anxieties into perspective.
6. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is more important for mental health than people like to give it credit. You need to get at the very least 7 hours of sleep at night in order to keep your mind healthy. A lack of sleep can result in increased anxiety, difficulty concentrating, irritability directed at others, depression, and poor quality of mental and physical health.
It’s important that you take care of your mental health and do regular maintenance. Spending time outside, walking around, talking to people, and eating a balanced diet make your mind and body a lot healthier. Get enough sleep at night and take some time for relaxation and meditation during your day.