Little Habits That Improve Mental Wellness
By Genevieve Cunningham
So much of our lives are made up by little tiny moments. It's in the details. Our family dynamics are made by our experiences with each other. Our education is made by decisions to study or take a particular class. And our health is made by the decisions that we make every day -- what we eat, how we move, and how we treat our bodies. But what about our mental health? Is mental health made by little moments, or is it in the big moments where the difference is made? If you want to improve your mental health, take a look at these little habits to add to your life for big results starting today.
Wake Up and Go to Bed Early
Sleeping schedules have a big impact on the way that we feel. When we're really young (babies and children), getting enough sleep is a given. It's expected and made a priority. But as adults, we throw this knowledge out the window. We seem to get less and less sleep as we age, and we don't think much of it. But this lack of sleep and subsequent fatigue really does a number on our mental and physical well-being. If you want to feel more stable mentally, go to bed early, wake up early, and make your sleep as high quality as you can.
Delay Your Screen Time
When you first wake up in the morning, chances are good that you reach for the phone first. Why? Habit. You need to check the time, which might lead to checking your email, which probably leads to opening at least one social media app. We do it without even thinking, and it's actually really bad for our mental wellness. If you want to stay healthy, delay the screen for a bit. Don't worry with your phone or the TV or any other tablet. Get up and enjoy your morning, get ready, and worry about screens and entertainment later in the day.
Say No When Necessary
We thrive on being busy. And because we think that busy is better, we overextend ourselves. Good mental health thrives on involvement, but it also requires some peace and quiet. If you get too involved and say yes to absolutely everything, you're going to be strung out and exhausted. When your schedule is full, start saying no. No to more meetings. No to more obligations. No to being busy every waking hour. You may be surprised at what just a little downtime can do for you. Give it a try, and your mental health will likely improve.
If you're trying to improve your mental health, big things work. Therapy, big vacations, medication -- sometimes you need those things! But more often than not, all you need is a little change. Use these little habits to change your routine, and you'll be enjoying better mental health before you know it.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Charleston, S.C.