8 Tips for Taking Care of your Mental Health

It’s been a rough past two weeks because I have been dealing with loss and grief. Inevitably it has affected my anxiety, insomnia and overall mood and mental health. Loss is not a concept that I am familiar with but I am learning to accept that that’s part of life and it’s an unfortunate, but inevitable event.  Like most people, I turn inwards and shut everything out especially in this not so pleasant phase in my life.

I’ve been dedicating time to focusing and taking care of myself. I’ve spent the majority of my time alone and although I was afraid of being in my own thoughts and feelings, it actually was very therapeutic. I’ve also been more present with my surroundings and taking everything in and doing all my daily activities slowly, but meaningfully. If you’ve been burnt out recently or also going through one of many life’s inevitable hurdles, I want to remind you that you’re not alone, to take a breather and to please take care of your mental health. ⁣

8 Tips for Taking Care of your Mental Health

1. Block our your schedule on your calendar as your mental health day. Give yourself some space and truly decompress. It’s okay to not answer your emails or text messages or check social media, news, etc. ⁣
2. Prioritize your wellness and physical health. Get moving. This doesn’t mean you need to exert all your energy in an intense workout, but any movement like a stroll or some light yoga will do your body and soul some good. ⁣
3. Find some hobbies that will take your mind off your stress. Invest time in tasks and things that make you happy, don’t just seek for meaningless distractions. ⁣
4. Practice gratitude and meditation. Sitting in silence and tuning into your feelings can help you better assess your mood and calm your mind. Feel free to also jot down how you’re feeling on paper. ⁣
5. Have at least one friend you can turn to when you’re down. You don’t have to talk to them if you don’t feel like it but knowing you have a support system is key to getting you through a bad mood/ day/ phase. ⁣
6. Get rid of anything and anybody that doesn’t serve you. You have a right to establish healthy boundaries and prioritize your happiness. ⁣
7. Nourish your body with food that is actually good for you and remember to drink water. What you put in your body is what you get out of it. ⁣
8. Prioritize rest and sleep. You need to recharge and reset.⁣