3 Ways to Start the Day With Good Mental Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
Mental health. These two little words probably bring up a lot of different thoughts and emotions. Some think of therapists and medication. Others think of stress and panic attacks. When it comes to mental health, most of us don't really know what to do. We don't know where to begin or how to keep our minds in the best health possible. But it's probably easier than you think. If you would like to stay on top of your mental health, take a look at these three good ways to start your day with good mental health -- and then keep it there all day long.
Skip Electronics
The news, emails, text messages. Most of us wake up in the morning and immediately reach for the phone or remote. It's an unconscious decision that we make every day. We don't think about it or choose it -- we just automatically reach for the bedside table and something to numb our thoughts. But this can actually lead to poor mental health. Our minds aren't ready to be bombarded with the noise of the day. Instead, don't touch any electronics. Wake up in the quiet, enjoy some solitude and silence, and reach for the electronics after you've been up for a while and your brain is beginning to wake up with the day.
Get Up Early
One of the worst ways to start your day is by rushing around. Rushing starts us off in chaos. It starts us with high stress. And too much stress is never good for mental health. If you want to protect your mental health, just get up a few minutes earlier and give yourself plenty of time to get up and get moving. You'll be surprised at the difference a simple five or 10 minutes can make in the rest of your day.
Mentally Purge
You've probably heard of the idea of getting all of your thoughts and feelings out at the end of the day, but it's OK to do it at the beginning as well. Grab a journal and write down what you're thinking and feeling. Write down your goals. Write down positive things that you love about yourself. Putting these thoughts down on paper can help set your day up in the right way. Give it a try, and you may find that your mental health improves before your day even truly begins.
Your mental health needs your attention all the time. It needs it morning, noon, and night -- every single day! Use these tips to start your day with your mental health moving in the right direction. With a few simple changes to your morning routine, you may find yourself feeling better than ever in no time at all.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic Escondido, Calif.