The state of our mental wellbeing contributes to how we feel, think, and act in our day-to-day life. A person with sound mental health is capable of solving problems, coping with stress, forging healthy relationships, and overcoming challenges.
Being emotionally healthy is more than just freedom from anxiety, depression, and psychological dilemmas. The absence of mental health is less important than a person who consistently boasts positive characteristics. If you are struggling with mental health issues or pessimism, here are five ways you can improve your mental health today.
1. Therapy can be necessary
With the uncertain and troublesome times we are living in, therapy is a reliable outlet for you to bare your soul, set treatment goals, and learn how to cope with stressors. There are different forms of therapy, including psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, experiential dynamic psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis.
When you’re browsing the web for a therapist, check out withtherapy.com. Their site offers an online therapist matching service. Unlike the stereotypical “find a therapist” services, With Therapy has contact details available, so you can call a real person directly. This speeds the process along. They also offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation, which can be helpful in setting up an initial appointment with a psychotherapist. Their matchmaker style incorporates science to pair you with the counselor who is best-equipped to handle your current needs.
2. Treat yourself
Treating yourself to a gift provides instant gratification. Dopamine, a “feel-good” chemical naturally produced in our brains, releases when we buy something we really want. (I mean, who wouldn’t want to go on a little shopping spree every now and again?)
If your spirits are down, consider buying yourself something pretty, like a petite maxi dresses. You will feel the dopamine rush upon purchase. And after the fact, you will feel happy every time you glance in the mirror. These dresses come in varying lengths and designs.
If dresses aren’t your style, you can choose a blouse or a few tees to match with their skirts. We think that the floral print maxi is stunning. Be sure to take a look at their current sales and free shipping offers because saving money will also make you feel better today. Bonus, their company sells maxi dresses that are perfect for postpartum women.
3. Therapeutic baking is a thing
You might love baking, and you might not. But everyone loves sweets! Baking provides people with a sense of empowerment and accomplishment. Often, when a person is depressed, getting out of bed in the morning is a struggle.
Baking a batch of brownies, cupcakes, or your favorite dessert will conjure up feelings of contentment. Some of the benefits of baking are enhanced mindfulness, satisfaction, and sensory pleasure. The art of baking can re-focus your mentality and reduce anxiety, stress, and depression.
4. Create a nightly gratitude list
In life, you have a higher probability of appreciating the world when you practice ongoing gratitude. Feeling grateful for the small and big things in your life can be mind-altering—focus your energy on the positives.
Before you go to sleep each night, pull out your journal and favorite pen. You can write down five or more situations, people, or places that you are experiencing gratitude towards. At the end of every week, review the seven nights that passed. The more you write (and read) your gratitude list, the more likely you are to begin whole-heartedly believing your own words.
5. Exercise and exercise again
Every time your heart starts pumping faster in the midst of exercising, an influx of endorphins are released into your brain. Endorphins, like dopamine, are “feel-good” chemicals. These chemicals are naturally produced within you, but sometimes the quantity is insufficient, leading to mental health issues. Endorphins are commonly associated with running, a “runner’s high,” as they call it.
In warm weather, you can practice yoga, jogging, or calisthenics outside. The sunshine is known for producing Vitamin D, which also increases the amount of serotonin in the brain. Nature in itself is supposed to ease anxiety and stress.
You can exercise four-to-seven times per week, depending on the intensity of the workout. If you’re weightlifting, you will want to take rest days. Your muscles need to recuperate before strengthening and toning begin.
Exercise encourages healthy weight loss, too. When you’re satisfied with your body, your self-esteem can raise. Exercising is one of the best ways to improve your mental health today.
