With this year coming to a close, you’re probably already considering your next year’s resolutions. One of the most important New Year’s resolutions you can make for 2020 is to take better care of your mental health. In this article, we’ll provide 6 useful tips to help you take better care of your mental health.
- Exercise – According to the American Psychological Association, getting regular exercise can help stave off mental health conditions like anxiety and depression when included as a part of your daily lifestyle. When we exercise, our bodies activate the natural mood-enhancing hormones that ease negative symptoms of mental health. Psychologists also suggest that regular exercise can have the same long-term effects as taking some anti-depressants.
- Meditate – Taking the time to clear your mind and focus your thoughts can work wonders for your mental and physical help. Unplugging from the constant barrage of notifications and social media messages is often just what we need to restore a sense of peace and balance in our minds. In our overstimulated world, taking the time to meditate can soothe the mind and body.
- Rest – It may surprise you to learn that when you go to bed at night that your body is still working. Getting enough rest is critical to having better mental and physical health. It is critical to take this time to unplug and give both your mind and body a rest from the constant stressors of everyday living.
- Avoid Negativity – You might think that it goes without saying to avoid as much negativity in your life is possible. However, in many cases we aren’t aware of the fact that we are indeed in a toxic environment or otherwise surrounded by toxic people. Having negative long-term relationships can cause emotional trauma and lasting effects. If you find that you feel uncomfortable when you’re around a certain person, place, or thing, find alternative options for improved mental health — learn how to develop healthy relationships, gain new habits, and focus on the things that make you happy.
- Drink Water – Water to the body is like gasoline for your car. If we don’t water our bodies, we’ll eventually find that we are running on empty. Our bodies require water to perform crucial functions like pumping blood to the heart and brain. It is critical that we add more water into our daily diets as a quick, easy way to prioritize our mental and physical health.
- Get Therapy – If you’ve been exposed to traumatic events in the past that haven’t been resolved, if you’re feeling an overwhelming sense of pressure regarding life’s struggles, or need an unbiased, third party to help you work through things you may be having difficulty with emotionally, chances are that you’ll benefit from the advice of a licensed mental health professional. Consider speaking with a therapist to address chronic mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder, relationship struggles, or other things you may need help with. A professional point of view can sometimes make all the difference.