Everyone who has ever seen a doctor for mental health problems and anyone who has struggled with their own mental health will know that one of the first things that comes up in therapy is your well-being. Well-being is different from just feeling happy all the time. Instead, it means being in a good mental state and feeling strong, healthy and positive about yourself and life in general.
Improving your well-being takes time, effort and maybe some patience. But this doesn't mean that it's impossible - with some simple lifestyle changes, you can be back on the road to mental health. With just a few simple changes, you can see a substantial improvement in your mental health and overall well-being.
Here are five of our top tips for improving your mental health and overall well-being. They're all easy to do, don't cost anything and can be done right in your own home.
It's important to make time for yourself. This means giving up some of the things you do every day to take care of your mental health. For example, in our always-on culture, it's often hard to simply switch off, but doing so is so beneficial for your well-being. It can be difficult to form good habits, but by carving out time for ourselves, we can help ourselves recover from the stresses of everyday life.
Practicing meditation and starting a journal are two great ways we can take some time away from all the noise and recharge our batteries. Simple practices like these can bring us so much peace, many important insights and joy that will last throughout our day.
Here are some free guided meditations to try:
Being outside is great for your mental health. It's not just because it gives us fun things to do - there are actually all sorts of health benefits. Sunlight boosts the body's levels of Vitamin D, which has been proven to help with depression. It also helps to regulate your sleep patterns, which we know is so important for our mental health. Taking off your shoes, walking in the grass and being with nature will improve you mental health and wellbeing instantly! Maybe even leave your phone at home ;)
Getting together with friends or family is not only fun and enjoyable, but it's so good for your mental health. Spending time with people you care about is a great way to boost your well-being. You don't have to do anything exciting or crazy - just talking can be enough to lift your mood. You don't have to go through everything alone. Our connection with others is so helpful when navigating life's challenges!
Sometimes, it feels like you need to have endless amounts of free time and money before you can improve your well-being. But this isn't true at all. Many of the things that we do for fun, such as cooking or painting, are actually great for our mental health. And many times, they don't cost anything (or barely anything)! Take some time each day or a few times a week and do something you love for the sake of doing it! Don't think about any outcomes, don't feel like you need someone to join you. Make time for what brings you joy, and that joy will stay with you.
Exercise is such an important part of our well-being. It releases endorphins, which help to improve our moods and can even lift symptoms of depression and anxiety. It's also a great way of fighting stress. Exercising can be anything that gets your body moving. Don't feel like you have to exercise in a certain way. Take a walk, ride your bike, climb a boulder, make it fun! If you can move your body for at least 20 minutes every day, you'll see instant changes in your mental health and well-being.
Everyone feels stressed, sad and anxious sometimes. So know that you're not alone! There are always things we can do to help ourselves, and these five habits are simple ways we can all maintain a good level of mental health and overall wellbeing.
