Mental Health

Mental health has taken a nosedive. If you’re feeling out of sorts, you must pay attention to your state and do what you can to prop yourself back up again. Mental health, just like your physical health, requires the occasional tune-up. While professional therapy is essential, you can also self-help with some exercises and practices.

In this mini-guide, we bring you some unique, fun, easy-to-apply ways that you can use to maintain your mental health:

Hug a tree

It sounds weird but hugging trees is surprisingly good for you mentally, as Ecohappiness Project can confirm. Being in nature heals you. It reduces stress, boosts your mood, and just lifts you up. Putting your arms around a tree and giving it a good squeeze for 21 seconds dispels anxiety and fear and gives you a sense of connection, peace, and holistic wellbeing.

Try art therapy

Art therapy is the practice of using art to dispel anger, sadness, and negativity. Creating something beautiful just makes you fulfilled, inspired, and can boost self-esteem. Some activities you can do include creating a family sculpture, painting an emotion wheel, and drawing with eyes closed.

Laugh out loud

Laughter, they say, is the best medicine. Just laughing out loud – you don’t need a reason – can do wonders for your wellbeing. It will reduce blood pressure, help prevent weight loss, relieve pain, boost immunity, and make your heart stronger.

Play with your child

Playing with kids is a great way to have fun and banish anxiety for a time. Science says just having kids is enough to make you live longer. Playing with them actively for a few minutes a day will generally make you lighter, playful, and optimistic.

Declutter your home

An accumulation of clutter can lead to a number of problems, both physical and mental. For one thing, a cluttered home is more difficult to clean and keep tidy. This can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment, as well as a constant sense of stress. What’s more, all that stuff takes up valuable space that could be used for other activities, such as hobbies or exercising. Finally, decluttering your home can also be a way to let go of negative emotions.

Watch river water flow

Being near water is proven to make you happier. This applies to all bodies of water, be it oceans, lakes, or seas. Watching flowing water – like a stream or river – has extra benefits. It creates a sense of flow throughout your body. You stop holding on to things – like anger or resistance – and learn how to “flow” with life.

Work from home more often

Working from home has proven mental health benefits. It helps you to avoid a possibly stressful commute. You can save a lot more time, which you can use to get extra sleep, engage with your family, prepare healthy meals, exercise, and more. All of these activities have a positive effect on your mental state.

Pop some bubbles on bubble-wrap paper

You probably know bubble-wrap paper, that’s used to keep delicate items safe and has bubbles that pop when you press down on them. Popping bubbles on wrap paper is not just fun, but also significantly therapeutic. If you don’t have any bubble-wrap paper lying around, you can try a virtual game on your phone that recreates the experience.   

Daydream

Did you love to daydream as a child? Continuing the habit (or picking it up) again as an adult can yield surprising benefits. Science says daydreaming allows you to manage anxiety, improves creativity, strengthens relationships, makes you more productive, boosts happiness at work, and even helps you achieve your goals.

Consider couple’s counseling

Couples counseling is an incredibly valuable tool for helping relationships that are in distress. It provides a safe space for both partners to be able to discuss the issues in their relationship openly, without fear of judgment. Through couple’s counseling at Feeling to Healing, couples can gain insight and support from a third party as they work through their conflicts.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that your mental, physical, and emotional health are all interconnected. That’s why if you want better mental health, be sure to look after all your other needs. Along with exercising, eating well and prioritizing self-care, try some of the unique ideas above such as spending time around water, decluttering, and working from home more often.

Dr Demarco

See Full Bio