5 ways to look after your mental health

theyorkshiredreamer

Aug 29

Content

Introduction

As mentioned in my January roundup blog post, I've recently struggled with my mental health. I felt like I was so far in a pit that I didn't know how to get out, and the most minor tasks felt like a climb up a very steep hill.

I started looking into how I could look after my mental health and the different options available. I wanted to start straight away, as the concept of therapy seems scary right now.

This blog post will share 5 ways to look after your mental health and how I've implemented some in my life.

5 ways to look after your mental health

Here are the five ways that I look after my mental health, along with some examples and explanations; I hope that they can help you.

Breaks

Sometimes a break can help you refocus and destress. Even a 10-minute pass from your task can help you regain your motivation and focus.

How you spend your break is entirely up to you. I did think a break meant doing nothing or going for a walk, but it can be more than that.

A break is basically 'me time' and pausing what you are doing to destress and unwind. Your break might involve reading a book, trying yoga, or watching an episode of your favourite show.

I recently had a trip to Scotland with friends, which has left me feeling refreshed and motivated.

Food

What you eat and drink can affect your mental health. Eating well can help improve your mood and wellbeing, but it can be difficult to know where to start. The Mental Health Foundation have an abundance of resources to help.

Personally, I am attempting to cut down on my caffeine intake and reduce my takeaways by cooking at home and drinking more water. Improving what you eat is easier said than done. I'm trying to be more cautious about what I eat. I ask myself, am I actually hungry or just bored before I snack, which has helped more than it sounds.

Planning my meals ahead of time has also been beneficial. My partner and I now discuss what meals we want for the following week. We still struggle to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg per day, but we are doing better!

Physical Health

Does anyone else instantly think of the gym when someone mentions improving your physical health? Don't worry; there are other options you can consider that don't involve spending hours at the gym.

Sports equipment, such as a yoga mat, trainers, sports bra, weights, resistance bands, on top of a marble surface. — Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

I am not a gym-goer; it suits other people, and if it works for you, go for it! I have found that daily changes and instructors on YouTube, such as Blogilates, motivate me! Minor daily changes also contribute to being active. I take a short walk at lunch, get up from my desk and walk around every so often, and I've incorporated stretching into my morning routine.

Find activities that you enjoy, such as swimming, dancing or walking. Every step counts! You don't have to do exercise that everyone else is doing, do what suits you and makes you feel good.

Something new

Trying something new can help improve your mental health, as it can provide you with a sense of purpose.

Similar to exercise, you don't need to learn something new that you are not passionate about. Find something you enjoy that interests you. You can try a new recipe, work on a DIY project, sign up for an online course or try out a new hobby.

Blogging has been a great new hobby for me and provided me with a sense of purpose. I've also recently made use of my mum's sewing machine and have been learning that skill.

Communicate

Having people around you to trust and talk to can provide you with a sense of belonging and support. This year, I've made a conscious effort to arrange activities with friends and nurture friendships with others.

Granted, it can be a daunting thought to put yourself out there, especially if you feel anxious before a social event. From my experience, though, others might be just as nervous as you. I also remind myself that others would not have said yes to hanging out if they didn't like me.

Start small, reach out to a friend or family member you haven't seen for a while, and maybe invite them out/over for lunch or a fun activity.

Key takeaways

Start small
Every step counts
Listen to your body
Something is better than nothing when it comes to exercise
Do not feel guilty for putting yourself first

Summary

There are so many different ways to look after your mental health. We all have different methods that help improve our mental health; it is just about finding out what those activities are, which could involve trial and error.

How do you look after your mental health? Let me know in the comments below.

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