6 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health Today

Are you struggling with depression, anxiety, or any other type of mental health challenge?

If so, you’re not alone. Lots of people are in the same boat, especially after the year we’ve all had.

Luckily, we’re sharing some practical, easy-to-implement tips that can help you start feeling better:

Get Moving

One of the best things you can do when you’re feeling depressed or anxious is to get up and get moving. This can be easier said than done, though, especially since mental health challenges can cause you to feel more tired than usual.

Remember, you don’t have to get up and run a marathon or start lifting heavy weights right away. Any type of exercise helps.

Can you slide off of the couch, get on the floor, and do some stretches or bust out a few push-ups? Even something as simple as this can produce some endorphins, get your blood flowing, and give you a nice mood boost.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Let’s face it. When we’re struggling mentally, often, healthy eating is the last thing on our mind. We may find ourselves gravitating toward convenience foods more frequently, which are tasty but also full of sugar and calories without providing a lot of nutrients.

Instead of focusing on cutting out all the unhealthy foods from your diet (which can be overwhelming and may make your anxiety or depression worse), start by adding things in. For example, make sure you’re eating plenty of protein-rich foods (meat, fish, eggs, Greek yoghurt, etc.), and try to include a fruit or vegetable in each meal.

Get Enough Sleep

If you’re not sleeping well, you may find that you feel more anxious or depressed. This can create a vicious cycle, too, as anxiety and depression can often cause or exacerbate sleep issues.

To improve your sleep quality, make sure you’re limiting your caffeine intake later in the day. Try to minimize blue light exposure from screens, too. Stick to a nighttime routine as well so your body knows when it’s time to wind down and start getting ready to sleep.

Write in a Journal

Sometimes, you just need to get all the thoughts that are racing around in your head out and onto a piece of paper.

Grab a notebook or open up a blank document on your computer and start writing about how you feel. Remember, no one is going to see this, so don’t worry about censoring yourself or using proper spelling and grammar.

Write for as long as you want and pay attention to how you feel afterwards. Do you feel lighter? Is it easier for you to look at your problems more objectively?

Talk it Out

If writing isn’t your thing, it might be helpful for you to talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Can you call a friend or talk to a family member about your struggles?

Sometimes, reaching out to someone and letting them know that you need to vent can make a big difference. You can even say directly that you aren’t looking for advice right now, you just need someone to listen.

Help Someone Else

Finally, look for ways to be of service and help someone else. When you do something nice for another person, you’re able to get out of your head and focus on another issue for a while.

You also can gain some perspective by volunteering. This may help you to view your problems differently after seeing what others are struggling with.

Have you tried any of these tips? What do you do when you’re struggling with your mental health? Comment below and let me know!