Daily habits for better mental health
Do you believe you can take charge of your thoughts and overcome anxiety?
Because of our constant barrage of social media and the gorgeous dopamine hits we get from it, many people, I am finding, do not think they can manage their mental health. That’s not the only source, but it’s evident from research that it is a growing problem. Many people say things now like “I have anxiety.” When asked “What are you doing about it?” They reply. “No, I have anxiety.” The end. It’s seems like there’s a belief that it’s something you just have, like green eyes or curly hair. Good news! There are some things you can do about it to reduce and manage it well. Anxiety is just one example of many overwhelming emotional conditions that can change.
I have studied and understand the importance of so-called negative emotions and what to do with them and their associated thoughts. . Here’s a quick rundown on how to change and increase positive mental health.
Have you ever gone away for a weekend and come back feeling awful; where you’ve eaten mostly treat type foods, not exercised and stayed up late, been around people who you wouldn’t normally hang with – and realised it’s the reason you’re not feeling yourself? Most of us aren't aware that we sometime do this with our mental and emotional life. We don’t set up positive habits that mean we don’t feel awful. Letting your brain blast you with random thoughts without managing them does not work. That’s why these practices are important. If we’re aware we need to choose good thinking and manage feelings, we’re a good way there to better mental health.
Here’s some things you can do to practically improve it. The small repeated consistent things that will keep you out of possible poisonous thinking.
Start your day managing your thoughts. Deliberately think of something positive in your day before you put your feet on the floor. Even if it’s the joy of breakfast, or that you’re alive!
Take some big deep breaths right down to your belly before you take a sip of caffeine. At least 10 breaths will shift your mental state.
Stay away from your phone for at least 45 minutes after you wake.
Connect with someone safe before you got out the door. Hug your spouse/child/cat/dog with a 20 second hug. If you can’t find a warm body, text a friend/lover/colleague. (It’s almost as good for your system). Or pray/listen to a meditation/use a reflection journal.
Realise your emotions sit in your body and know where they land and what they are. Any emotion will only last 90 seconds unless you keep attaching a story to it.
Be grateful for at least 3 things – if you can, work up to10 – every day. I recommend doing this just as you’re going to sleep, to improve sleep and wake up in a better state.
Take time to do nothing. Doing nothing looks sitting like on the couch, or outside on the grass, thinking your own thoughts, and giving your busy brain a rest from the barrage of information, sounds and to do lists. Difficult to do at first but the reward is a sense of calm that descends on your mind. To begin this practise to think nothing I started by watching a blade of grass and then a daisy in my lawn, just to see when it would be blown by a breeze. Keeping my focus on that was such a foreign exercise, but very much worth it.
So there you have it. You are not stuck with the brain you currently have. A few seemingly small things, practised consistently, that mean you can have better mental health. I suggest you pick 2 or three and try them for 2 months consistently.
This is not medical advice. Written by me, not AI.
