If you’re juggling lots of responsibilities, you might feel you have little to no time to focus on your mental health. But it’s important to prioritize your mental health in everyday life. In the long run, neglecting your mental health can lead to depression, anxiety, and burnout. Taking steps to care for your mental health daily can boost your mood, increase your energy, and improve your overall outlook on life.
Thankfully, implementing strategies to maintain your mental health does not have to be time-consuming. Here are a few simple yet powerful lifestyle changes you can easily incorporate into your schedule.
1. Stick to a Routine
If you wake up every day without a plan, your stress levels will rise. Knowing what to expect means that you won’t have to make snap decisions about your schedule. Instead, you can stay organized and keep on top of everything you need to get done. Structuring your days around predictable routines can support your mental health.
Routines don’t have to be boring, either! For instance, if you want to develop a morning routine to start your day on the right note, choose a few activities you like. This could include reading a good book while sipping your morning coffee or going for a walk to get some fresh air.
2. Get Enough Sleep
When you’re exhausted, it’s hard to get through the day. You feel sluggish and unmotivated. Maybe you even get cranky or get upset about minor issues. Getting an extra hour or two of sleep can completely change the course of your day.
Instead of feeling exhausted, you’ll feel upbeat, and you’ll realize that it’s easier to deal with mistakes and mishaps. Aim to get about seven to eight hours of sleep every night to feel your best.
3. Relieve Stress
Sometimes, you need an outlet for stress relief. It helps to pick up an activity that is naturally intended to relieve stress! For instance, you could try meditating for a few minutes every morning or evening. You might be interested in signing up for yoga classes or doing yoga at home several times per week.
Journaling daily is another great option. You can vent about anything that’s stressing you out in your journal to get it off your chest!
4. Exercise
Exercise is hugely beneficial for your mental and physical health. Working out is a win-win for your body and mind! You don’t need to work out every single day for the sake of your mental health, but exercising at least three or four times per week can be enough to see positive changes.
Have you tried to start a workout routine before, only to feel discouraged because you didn’t enjoy it? Choose a form of exercise that you like to stay dedicated! Everything from dancing to pilates to swimming is an option.
5. Cut Back on Screen Time
You might notice that your mood feels brighter when you put down your phone for a few hours. Sometimes, staring at screens and scrolling through social media can have a negative impact on your mental health.
Block off an hour or two each day when you can unplug and relax without screens. For example, you might want to designate the hour before you go to bed as “screen-free” time. Or maybe you could commit to not checking your phone until after you’ve had your coffee in the morning. Reducing your screen time can work wonders for your mindset!
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Do you feel you’re struggling to be mindful and maintain your mental health? Talk therapy can help. Reach out to me today to discuss your options for scheduling your first appointment.