10 Tips on Improving Mental Health and Reducing Stress
As much as we try to avoid it, stress can creep into our daily lives. Everyone has stress to deal with, but if we don't formulate effective coping strategies, that stress can negatively impact our emotional and mental health. Here are ten tips on how to improve your mental health by reducing or eliminating stress.
1. Go tech-free for at least an hour a day. Turn off the cell phone, shut the lid on your laptop, and turn off the television. Get out for a walk and get some fresh air. Not only will the change of scenery do you good, it will take your mind off everything going on in the world and in your life.
2. Create a routine/ritual for yourself. There's a reason they're called "rituals"- they help to help people feel secure and grounded when it seems as if the world is spinning out of control. The ritual doesn't have to be complex, either- it can be as simple as exercising for half an hour or taking a daily bubble bath.
3. Call a friend and vent your frustrations. One of the greatest joys in life is to have friends with whom you can share your feelings. A true friend will let you cry on their shoulder, but they will also be there to share in the laughter and fun parts of life. There is mounting scientific evidence that strong friendships can help to temper the effects of constant stress.
4. Get your priorities in order. Think about the really important parts of your life- your health, your family and your friends- and make them the top things on your "to do" list. Push all those smaller things to the bottom of the list.
5. Get in touch with nature. Like we said earlier, the best way to do just that is to take a walk. Grow a garden, have lunch in the park, whatever it takes. Nature provides us with a sense of balance and peace that's essential to our continued mental health.
6. Change your lifestyle. Improving your diet and getting enough exercise can raise your energy level, lower your weight, and increase your overall feelings of confidence and well-being. This will leave you better equipped to deal with whatever life throws at you.
7. Don't forget to BREATHE! Inhale through the nose, pulling the air down into the lungs. Hold for a six-count, and exhale slowly for six more counts. Do this for several minutes- it will slow your heart rate and bring oxygenated blood to the parts of your body that need it most.
8. Smile and laugh. Read a funny story or watch a comedy. Laughter really is the best medicine- it melts away tension and can brighten the mood. It may also bolster the immune system, making you less prone to infections such as the common cold or the flu.
9. Focus on one thing at a time. Perhaps the best way to cope with being overwhelmed is to finish one task at a time. Once you've done that, move onto the next thing on the list. The feeling of "checking things off" is satisfying and it will provide you with the motivation to keep on going.
10. When things feel too stressful, practice some self-acupressure. Massage your temples, the back of your neck and even your earlobes to dissolve tightness and tension- but be careful- the good feelings may be habit-forming!
Everyone is the same in that they have stresses to deal with; the difference lies in how they choose to deal with that stress. By following the tips given above, you can eliminate stress and enjoy greater mental health all at the same time.