It’s safe to say that life is hard on everyone these days. Unfortunately, mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, chronic stress, and burnout have altered the quality of life for millions across the country and around the world. The cause ranges from hectic schedules and unfulfilled dreams to genes and traumatic experiences, and the statistics continue to climb at alarming rates.
Those who suffer from mental health problems often find that it goes beyond a psychological impact. It causes issues for individuals physically, financially, personally, and professionally. There are efficient treatment options out there for those who struggle mentally, but to reduce the likelihood of it taking over your life, it is imperative to take care of your mental well-being. Below, is a look at some daily solutions:
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Gratitude Journal – It’s easy to get depressed, anxious, or stressed out about your life when all you focus on is what’s going wrong. Try to turn your thought process around by writing in a gratitude journal every day. Write down 2 or 3 things you’re grateful for and try to keep your mind on those things throughout the day.
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Take Care of Your Body – Even when things don’t seem to be going right for you mentally, it’s important not to neglect your physical well-being. Make sure that you’re taking care of your body every day. This includes eating a well-balanced diet, exercising, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep at night.
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Get a Massage – You’d be surprised how much of that mental tension is manifesting physically. To combat those aches and pains it’s ideal to have a massage. You can visit a salon with massage therapy supplies to relax your mind and body. If you can’t get to a massage parlor on a regular basis, there are a lot of devices that can help you work out those kinks at home.
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Spend 10 Minutes Outside – Most people’s lifestyles require them to spend a better part of their day indoors. Limited sun exposure, however, can exacerbate feelings of depression. Do yourself a favor and spend at least 10 minutes outside every day. This helps to boost your vitamin D level, the fresh air is great for cleansing the lungs, and being outdoors boosts your mood. Take a walk, sit on your front or back porch, take the kids to the park, just get outside.
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Help Someone – When you spend too much time worrying about your own life it can backfire emotionally. You can take the focus off of yourself by looking for ways to help others on a daily basis. Whether you give $5 to a local junior baseball team, volunteer to read at a children’s library, or just listen to a friend or relative that’s going through a difficult time, it all goes a long way to boost your mood – and theirs.
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Meditate for 5-10 Minutes – The mind is jam-packed with all kinds of thoughts and feelings. Meditation is a long used practice that helps individuals to get outside of their minds. It teaches you to be mindful of the present, so try finding a quiet space and meditating for at least 5-10 minutes.
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Do Something You Enjoy – All too often life is filled with responsibilities and obligations that take you away from your own peace and happiness. To find ways to cope better, it is recommended that you find time in your day to do things you really enjoy. Whether it’s 10 minutes reading a book before bed, treating yourself to lunch, or binge-watching your favorite show on the weekend, it breaks up the monotony in your life and gives you something positive to look forward to.