There are times when life gets so busy, you completely ignore yourself. You know that to get things done, you have to enter turbo drive and set aside your personal life and worries.
This type of lifestyle not only leads to physical burnout, but it can also adversely affect your mental wellbeing, too.
No matter how busy you are (or conversely, how much free time you may have). It’s crucial to take care of your mental health.
How?
Try these five things you can do for your mental health, and start feeling better today.
Table of Contents
1. Focus on YOU
Most adults have a lot going on in their lives. You work, you may have a family, you probably try to have virtual or in-person hangs with loved ones. Chores and errands are likely peppered throughout your week, too.
But do you take enough time to think about yourself? Probably not.
If you shift your focus away, just temporarily, from your to-dos to yourself, you’ll reap immediate mental health benefits.
Carve out a few hours (or even a full day, if you can) and try a few self-care techniques. Self-care allows you to give yourself some TLC, guilt-free, while practicing self-compassion and mindful behavior.
And as a bonus, self-care can give you a mental health boost you feel long after your self-pampering is over.
2. Cook a Healthy Meal From Scratch
If you’re a stranger to the kitchen, follow a tasty-looking recipe you find online and prepare it yourself, for yourself.
It doesn’t have to be Michelin Star-worthy, but it should consist of fresh vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.
You can take pride in yourself for creating a delicious meal yourself and feel wonderful after eating so healthily.
3. Take a Trip, Solo
You don’t have to fly cross country or abroad to enjoy a solo trip. Simply walk to a local park or drive somewhere scenic.
The fact that you’re alone and surrounding yourself with nature’s beauty will make you feel peaceful and thrilled all at once.
4. Try Something New
We stay young and happy when we experiment and try new things!
With legislation changing constantly, more people from all walks of life are feeling more comfortable trying marijuana. Not sure what type of marijuana is best for you? Read this article to learn the pros and cons of edible marijuana versus smoking.
If you want to be more social, enroll in a painting or pottery class and master a new hobby. Learning a new skill is a fun way to stretch your creative muscles while expanding your horizons.
You may also meet new people in your class who become new, lifelong friends!
5. Give Back
One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to give back.
You can volunteer at a local food kitchen, animal shelter, or community center; whatever piques your interest. It allows you to work with people or pets that are in need of human kindness.
After a few hours of volunteering, you’ll no doubt feel wonderful for spending time helping those who benefit from your time! Try to volunteer regularly, be it weekly or monthly, so you can continue spreading good cheer, to others and yourself.
If you are really short on time, research a worthy charity and give a donation. Think about what causes really touch your heart and find an organization working tirelessly to correct these injustices.
To ensure a charitable organization is legit, research it on Charity Navigator. They’ve examined and rated thousands of charities, doing the leg work for you, so you know who to trust.
Conclusion
Life gets crazy for all of us sometimes. And when that happens, you naturally may not prioritize yourself and your mental health. But it is crucial to do so.
When you focus on improving and maintaining your mental wellbeing, you feel amazing and are the very best version of yourself. And though you may believe that prioritizing your mental health is conceited, It is in fact truly the opposite of being selfish!
If you still can’t wrap your head around doing things for yourself, consider how something like a self-care day will improve your mood and your relationship with others. It’s a winning situation for yourself and everyone you love.
