At Release Well-Being Center we believe that optimum well-being is attained by nurturing the 5 pillars of wellness, which include physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual. Were have a tendency to focus on one or a few, but they are all equally important. They are certainly interconnected and nourishing ourselves in one of these areas has positive impact on others, but it’s important to be mindful of making time for each.
May is mental health awareness month so we would like to share some strategies to boost mental well-being. This might arguably be one of the most overlooked pillar, but paying attention to our mental well-being, noticing when we get out of balance mentally and giving ourselves a mental tune up when needed can prevent or reduce anxiety and depression and keep us from coping in unhealthy ways.
Keep reading for tips and tricks to help boost your mental health!
Focus on what you can control! – “…Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference” The feeling of being out of control of our lives can cause mental stress and a feeling of overwhelm. When this happens, take a moment consider what you can and cannot control and let that guide your decisions and reactions.
Get the Zzzz’s In! Sleep is huge when it comes to mental well-being. Getting a good night’s sleep (a minimum of 6 – 8 hours) is necessary to maintain equilibrium and function normally. This may be easier said than done when parenting small children who are up in the night, experiencing hormonal changes that cause insomnia or burning the candle by both ends to keep up with your to-dos. But your mental health depends on it! Strategize ways to make this happen such as figuring out a schedule with your partner and using apps and mindfulness to calm your monkey mind and induce sleep.
Keep up Your Self-Care – Again, not as easy as it sounds sometimes! But the people in your life will benefit as much as you do, really! When time is limited, find moments to do things that boost well-being. A short walk, brief meditation, reading a chapter of a good book, even a quick breathing exercise, can make a world of difference. Consistently taking care of yourself will help place your mental health at the forefront and allow you to live in a state of calm, groundedness and happiness.
Practice Mindfulness – This can take the form of a mediation practice or it might simply be aiming to be fully present in whatever you are doing. Not only does mindfulness reduce stress, but it also has the power to help you slow down and really take care of yourself — even in the midst of all of life’s challenges and responsibilities.
Develop Your Own Successful Self-Care Routine – There is no one recipe for self-care. It’s tempting to read a book or find a guru that tells you how to take care of yourself. But we are all unique. What is medicine for one person might be poison for you and vice versa. As you try exercise routines, foods, and other wellness approaches, cultivate mindfulness to tune in and notice what fuels you and what depletes you. Determine what feels good, what you enjoy and what works. Once you figure out what is working and what you like enough to keep doing, keep it going! if you carve out this time, you will show up in the world with increased energy, focus and patience and everyone will in your life benefit from that.