Reflect and Nourish

Our mental health impacts almost everything we do in life. Therefore, it’s important to take a proactive approach in managing it.

I’ve found several activities that have helped me manage my mental health, and I’d like to share them with you today: 

1. Getting enough sleep

Getting sufficient sleep is an important part of overall wellbeing in general, and I noticed it helps me feel better, too. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and winding down properly before bed helps me get better quality sleep. As a result, I feel more well-rested and energized when I wake up, and I feel ready to meet the demands of the day.

According to the Sleep Foundation, there is a bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental and emotional health (so sleep impacts mental health and vice versa).

2. Getting sufficient exercise

In addition to resting well, exercise helps me feel energized and at ease. By getting enough movement throughout the day, I’m able to release any stagnant energy and create more energy to carry on throughout the day. When I feel good in my body, my mood tends to be better as well.

Plus, the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment I feel after completing a challenging workout makes the sweat feel worth it.

According to MayoClinic, getting exercise releases endorphins (feel-good chemicals) and helps people take their mind off worries.

3. Journaling my thoughts and feelings

Whenever I feel an intense emotion, I find getting it out in writing to be beneficial because it creates distance between me and the feeling. In addition, articulating what I’m feeling increases my understanding of my emotions, which helps me make better decisions.

According to a study mentioned at WebMd, people with various medical conditions and anxiety who journaled online for 15 minutes three times a week over a 12-week period exhibited increased feelings of wellbeing and fewer depression symptoms over the 12 weeks.

4. Getting outside

I find nature to be very healing. When I’m outside, I feel more connected to the world, and I feel a sense of security and peace.

According to the American Psychological Association, spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and increase attention span, among a host of other cognitive benefits. 

For instance, a 2019 review found that green views near children’s schools promote cognitive development in children and green views near children’s homes promote self-control. Also, adults in public housing units with more access to green space showed increased attentional functioning than those with less access to green spaces.

5. Connecting with supportive people

Sometimes when I’m going through a challenging time, talking to a family member or friend helps me feel better. Sharing what I’m going through with someone else helps me feel less alone, and often the other person will have a different perspective on the situation that helps me realize that it isn’t as big of a deal as I thought it was.

According to VeryWellMind,  strong social support can help us make better choices, cope with stress, and improve motivation when achieving goals.

By making sure we get enough sleep, exercise, emotional expression, connection to nature, and social support, we can better cope with the ups and downs of daily life.

Is there anything not on this list that you do to support your mental health? Let me know in the comments below.

All the best,

Adriana