Investing in your mental health is just as important as investing in my physical health. I need to do better at investing in both. I struggle every day to put ME first. However, I am learning some strategies to help me prioritize and enhance my mental well-being. Some I am actively doing, and others are a work in progress.
Here is my list of 10 things that can help you become a Happier, Healthier Me:
1. Self-Care Rituals: I establish daily self-care rituals that nurture my mind, body, and soul. Some activities include meditation, yoga, journaling, or simply taking a walk outside. Journaling is one of my favorites. It’s the time I get to let my hair down and just get lost in my words. I picked up journaling at a young age because I was the only child when my brother moved out. When I first started Yoga, I was not good at it. I could not hit the poses and it was making me upset. I was too busy focusing on the wrong things. Once I took the pressure off, I could feel the release of stress and started focusing on myself.
2. Healthy Habits: This one is the one that I need to work on the MOST! I need to learn to adopt healthy lifestyle habits that support my mental health, such as getting enough sleep (something I don’t do), eating a balanced diet (working on this), and exercising regularly (finally bought me some exercise equipment for home workouts). Physical health and mental health are closely linked, so taking care of my body can have a positive impact on your mind.
3. Mindfulness Practice: Incorporating mindfulness into my daily routine. Mindfulness involves
paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This has helped reduce stress,
increase self-awareness, and improve my overall well-being. Living in the moment and taking it all in has been the most helpful.
4. Set Boundaries: This is the one that took some time for me to get. Learning how to set
boundaries to protect my mental health has been hard. Saying no to activities or commitments
that drain my energy or cause me stress, and prioritizing time for myself. The thought of saying NO was hard for me. I did not want to be a disappointment to others. I want to help where I can, but it was coming at a cost. I was miserable all the time. I was stressed out trying to be everything for everybody. However, now I say No if I have too much on my plate so that I am not overworked and stressed.
5. Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to reach out for support when you need it. This could mean
talking to a trusted friend or family member, seeking therapy or counseling, or joining a support group. I have been blessed to have a great circle of family and friends that I can lean on, however the problem I have is seeking the help from them. Too often I want to just handle
things on my own when I should be reaching out when I need help. I am getting better at this,
but its taking some time.
6. Limit Stressors: Learning to identify sources of stress in my life and taking steps to minimize or eliminate them where possible. This involves simplifying my schedule, delegating tasks, or learning stress management techniques. Writing a to-do list has been the most beneficial thing for me. Not allowing myself to get overwhelmed by all my daily task has allowed me to be a healthier version of myself. It has also allowed me to get task completed which makes me feel complete which makes me happy.
7. Practice Gratitude: I cultivate an attitude of gratitude by regularly expressing appreciation for the positive aspects of my life. I keep a gratitude journal and take a moment each day to reflect on what I am thankful for. This has helped boost your mood and outlook on life.
8. Engage in Hobbies: I make time for activities that bring me joy and fulfillment. Some activities that are helpful are painting, gardening, playing music, or any other hobby, engaging in activities you love. For me its reading or creating custom items like shoes or shirts. Doing things you love provides a much-needed mental break and enhances your overall well-being. When I am creating custom items, I get to use my creative side and get lost in my work. I am not overthinking anything and just loving what I do. It makes for a happier me.
9. Stay Connected: For me maintaining meaningful connections with others is so important.
Prioritize spending time with friends, family, and loved ones, even if it’s just through virtual means. Over the last three years with the move from California to Maryland staying connected has been the most beneficial for my mental health. I miss my family and friends but keeping in
touch and being on facetime makes me feel like I am back at home in Cali. At first it was hard
for me to stay connected because I felt like I was missing out on so much, however it has
become the total opposite. It has allowed me to be involved in all the important family functions from a far. I also met a wonderful family here in Maryland. They have been invited over for family functions, and I totally feel like I am with my family. It has brought so much joy.
10. Practice Self-Compassion: Being kind and compassionate toward myself, especially during difficult times is one that I learned early on. Treating myself with the same kindness and understanding that I offer to a friend facing similar challenges. I am harder on myself than
anyone could ever be towards me. Giving myself grace is a work in progress. I get so upset
with myself when I do something wrong and that is not healthy for me. Understanding that its ok to not do everything right or even make a mistake is what I am currently working on.
Remember, investing in your mental health is an ongoing process that requires commitment and effort. By incorporating these strategies into your daily life, you can cultivate resilience, promote well-being, and lead a happier, healthier life. I can tell you that it is working for me. I still have some work to do but I am getting one step closer to being a Happier, Healthier ME!
Comments