Daily Habits to Improve Mental Health

Today, we live in such a fast paced world where success is measured by output, money and glamorous careers. These measures can often lead to burnout, stress and high levels of anxiety.

The importance of daily habits to improve mental health is at an all time high.

WHO defines Mental health as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. 

As adults we are faced with so many new challenges such as rising prices of living, competitive job markets, family commitments and so many more responsibilities which require your attention at all times. Juggling all these responsibilities very often leads to negligence of our mental health.

How to know when your mental health is diminishing?

If you feel burned out and feel like you’re having mood swings and a general feeling of anxiety, chances are you’re already experiencing earlier stages of diminishing mental health and well being. When you’re going through this, you may feel demotivated, stressed, lethargic, anxious and low levels of energy.

While it’s okay to feel all of these things occasionally, if it’s been happening more consistently then it could be a sign that your mental health is being compromised.

Why mental health is so important

When your mental health is on the decline, it is very easy to feel demotivated and lose focus on important things such as your family, career, business and health. When these things are not being taken care of, it can easily spiral out of control. And before you know it you’re on the verge of losing your job, start having serious issues in your family and relationships and start getting sick more often.

All of these things can cause more distress and take you to a dark place that none of us want. Hence it is very important to have a routine to find balance in your life and take care of your mental health. 

The good news is there are many simple daily habits to improve mental health. Below are some things you can try to incorporate into your life.

Daily habits to improve mental health

• Get enough sleep

This is one of the most overlooked yet critical parts of being human. Our bodies are designed to function properly only with adequate rest. In today’s digital age, it is very easy to get carried on and scroll through your phone or watch something until you doze off. This is one of the worst habits that may be keeping you from getting the adequate amount of sleep to wake up the next day feeling well rested.

If you find yourself feeling tired and sleepy the next day, take a moment to check in with yourself and see how much you slept the night before and make a conscious decision to keep away from all sorts of screens at least an hour before you sleep.

• Wake up early

Waking up early just might be the most important habit when it comes to mental health. Today, there is scientific research on the benefits of waking up early. It gives you the extra time in the morning for yourself to not rush, and be more mindful. You also get the extra time to do some exercise to kick start your day, have a hearty breakfast and most importantly get some productive work done before the hustle and bustle of the morning rush.

• Don’t check your phone as soon as you wake up

I think this is a habit that this generation as a whole has acquired. In the morning, when your mind is rested and fresh, the last thing you want to do is feed it with information and content that comes from social media that may be unrealistic. It can cause you to start your day on the wrong foot by comparing the most mundane moments of your life to the highlight moments people share about their lives on social media. It can lead to dissatisfaction about where you are in life and get your mood down before you even start the day.

• Meditate

Meditation is one habit that gave me mental stability and allowed me to start thinking clearly. It really does allow one (with regular practice of course) to clear their mind and have a more calm and disciplined approach towards your life. If you want to improve your mental health, I highly recommend you to start with a short meditation practice once a day even if it’s for 5 minutes a day. Once you start getting into the habit, you can gradually increase the time. If you don’t know much about meditation, you may find this post on meditation for beginners helpful.

• Read

There is a vast amount of knowledge in the world’s libraries. Whatever subject you may be interested in, you can be sure that there are numerous books, research papers and articles written on it. Mental health and wellbeing is one of the most discussed and studied subjects in the world today, thanks to psychology. There are so many books and other sources of helpful information you can find in bookstores as well as online. 

Taking the time to read daily about mental health can give you valuable knowledge that can transform the way you think, feel and act, and improve your mental health.

• Journal

Another daily habit you can cultivate to improve mental health is journaling. It doesn’t take a lot of time out of your day. You can choose to write for just 5 minutes daily at a time convenient for you. By writing down your thoughts just as it is, it helps you understand yourself better and helps you deal with negative thoughts in a healthier way. Today, there is enough scientific research done on the benefits of journaling. 

• Eat nourishing food

Just like our body, our mind also needs the right kind of fuel. If you’re not eating an adequate amount of nourishing food, your mental health will slowly deteriorate even if you may not be aware of it in the beginning. So, if you want to improve your mental health and well being, make a conscious effort to learn about healthy food that is good for your mind and body and try to incorporate a healthy diet into your lifestyle.

• Stay hydrated

Just like food, your mind and body also needs hydration. When we are busy, it’s very easy to forget to drink enough water. If you’re not drinking enough water you are more likely to get headaches and other issues that can lead to poor mental health. Therefore, it is very important to ensure you are drinking enough water throughout the day. It’s best to carry your own bottle of water when you’re going to work so that you know how much water you’re drinking.

• Exercise

Daily exercise has shown to give us so many health benefits from increased energy levels to enhancing your mood, longevity and reducing the risk of chronic illnesses. Moreover, exercise also improves brain function and helps improve your sleep. All these can lead to better overall mental health and quality of life.

• Spend time with your people

Humans are social creatures. While not entirely dependent on other people, surrounding yourself with your tribe of people can greatly enhance your mental health. So make the effort to connect and meet up with close friends and family as often as possible. When you regularly support and show up for the people in your life, most of the time they will do the same. 

Conclusion

Mental health is something that you should work on consistently and taking the right steps can get you a long way. In today’s world, it’s easy to get into a spiral of negativity and comparing yourself to others. 

If you want to achieve your goals in life, it’s important you stay in good mental health. Without good mental health it will be very hard to put in consistent daily effort to build your dream life. I hope this article will inspire you to take things into your own hands and start implementing one by one. You’ve got this!