Riding the wave of life's highs and lows can be easier if you take care of your mental wellbeing regularly. Taking the steps below every day will improve your mental health and help you clear your mind.
Here’s 9+ habits that will improve your mental health:
Get fresh air every day- be in nature
It can be hard to find time to get outdoors when you are juggling responsibilities. However, even 20 minutes of time outside can make all the difference. Try taking the kids with you for a dusky walk in the evening, or a dog walk after dinner. Your lunch hour is another opportunity to stretch your legs and get outside too. If you have a bike, try going for a bike ride, either alone or with the kids. The weekends are also a great opportunity to enjoy being outdoors, even in colder weather. The kids will love rambles through the woods, walks along the beach or family cycle rides.
When outside, try to take in what’s around you using your senses. What can you hear? What can you smell? What can you see? Engaging your senses in this way is great for the soul and lowers stress.
Make opportunities to be creative
Look for pockets of time when you can indulge in hobbies or interests. With that time you can do something positive for your mind- read a book, indulge in a little gardening, do some colouring, or try a new recipe.
Creative activities provide a feeling of achievement which leads to feeling good.
Connect with other people
Socialising helps reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improving mood. Try and find the time to see friends and family, or meet up with other families together with the kids.
It can seem difficult to find the time to meet up with others, but it’s important for your feeling of connection and community.
Create boundaries
You can reduce stress by creating boundaries and saying ‘no’ more. Turn down anything that stretches you too far and will add extra pressure. Avoid packing too much into your weekends and try and find space to just take it easy. You’ll know if something asked of you feels like too much- don’t be afraid to put yourself first.
Move your body
As mentioned above, getting fresh air is important for your wellbeing, and physical activity is also key. It can help you release worry and reduce tension.
Try to find exercise that you enjoy. See what your local sports centre has on offer, try workout videos on YouTube at home, or a brisk walk. When you've found a type of exercise that you like it won't feel like a chore, and it can become a daily part of your wellbeing routine.
Use your mind
Engage your brain every day- even for only 10-15 minutes. It gives you a sense of achievement and growth. Go to the local library to find some new books, complete a word search, or try and finish a crossword puzzle.
Prioritise sleep
It can be tempting to scroll or watch tv when you should be in bed, but your wellbeing will thank you for the extra rest. Look to turn in earlier, and avoid using screens for a while before sleep.
Aim to wind down before bed to promote a peaceful night. Try sprinkling some drops of lavender oil on your pillow, taking some deep calming breaths, or read a book before turning out the light.
Talk to someone
If you have a friend or relative that you can open up to about how you're feeling, lean on that support system. Sharing experiences and difficulties with others helps lighten the load and makes you feel supported.
Breathe deeply
Take a few minutes every day to do a breathing exercise. Calming breathing helps relax your brain and reduce stress. The more you regular do calm breathing or meditation, the more relaxed you will feel in general. Follow along with our box breathing video to find instant calm.
