Take Time For You
According to the World Health Organization, mental wellness is defined as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” While this is a goal, ascending to it challenges many of us. As we face the new year, we have an opportunity to start the year with a plan to work towards our mental wellness, and that may be why January is Mental Wellness Month. To help you on this path we have listed a series of steps that you can take to improve your mental wellness. Good luck on your journey, and please share what works as part of your mental health wellness plan.
- Be nice to yourself
- Take care of your body
- Eat Healthily
- Hydrate
- Sleep
- Exercise
- Keep alcohol use to a minimum
- Avoid drugs
- Put the screens behind you before you go to bed
- Do your best to enjoy 15 minutes of sunshine every day
- Surround yourself with good people
- Volunteer to help others
- Dress for the social life you want
- Practice gratitude
- Learn how to deal with stress
- Write down ways to relax
- Challenge negative thoughts
- Find lightness and humor in every day
- Give everyone the benefit of the doubt
- Notice the good in the world
- Practice self-compassion
- Fake it, act the way you want to feel
- Use affirmations and reminders
- Unload, get help with your responsibilities
- Find the lesson in life as it is now
- Breathe deep
- Practice mindfulness
- Pray or meditate
- Go ahead and yawn
- Set realistic goals
- Take small steps
- Break up the monotony of your day-to-day
- Go ahead and yawn
- Get professional help when you need it; it is a sign of strength
Resources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/erasing-stigma/202001/18-ways-build-mental-wellness
https://uhs.umich.edu/tenthings
https://childadolescentpsych.cumc.columbia.edu/articles/11-tips-mental-health-well-being
http://www.sfu.ca/olc/blog/my-ssp/mental-health-wellness-tips-quarantine
https://www.mhanational.org/31-tips-boost-your-mental-health
