Like our bodies, our minds also need to be exercised to keep it active and healthy. Real life dictates we engage in plenty of activities that may not be the best for us mentally or we neglect the ones that will be good for us. Creating a work-life balance is key and there are plenty of everyday activities that can be done to keep your mind healthy and happy.
9 things to do to improve your mental health
1. Run
Exercise increases your endorphins and testosterone production, which in turn help you gain more energy and develop positive thoughts. Running is one of the easiest ways to exercise and can be done almost anywhere. Don’t use the treadmill as much as possible. Just bring your favourite tunes and explore your city using just your legs.
2. Colour/paint
Whether you believe in colour therapy (or chromatherapy), colouring is fun. Not just a children’s activity, there are plenty of stress-relieving colouring books for adults. And if you want to take it up a notch, get a blank canvas and throw some colour in it. Go nuts.
3. Decorate your room
Building things whether they’re LEGO or IKEA sets gives us a sense of accomplishment. And can be quite fun. Decorating your room allows you to get in touch with your inner interior designer and sharpen your creative touch. You also get to physically surround yourself with things that make you happy.
4. Play video games
Video games remain a controversial activity despite being the most prevalent hobby among at least a fifth of the planet. Various studies have discovered that playing games is actually good for your mental health giving you a sense of accomplishment and some social exposure online. Just choose the right games for you.
5. Watch/listen to TED Talks
If you haven’t heard of TED Talks yet, it stands for “Technology, Entertainment, Design” and is a media organization, which streams conferences online for free. Operating for 33 years, there are countless of videos available online with a multitude of topics that are uplifting and inspirational.
6. Celebrate your accomplishments
It’s not just alright to give yourself a little pat on the shoulder. Occasionally treating yourself or congratulating yourself for accomplishing tasks can be healthy and will even help you become more productive. When you learn to appreciate yourself, you’ll learn to appreciate others as well.
7. Make a journal/blog
Writing on a personal journal is therapeutic and incites creativity. Everyone needs an avenue to express themselves. Thanks to modern technology, journals don’t just have to be the pen and paper style but can also be a personal blog or website you can have fun with. Think of it as creating your own digital space where you’re free to be you.
8. Do karaoke or sing
You don’t have to sing in front of a crowded room on your own. That might just cause anxiety. Instead, there are plenty of places to book private karaokes between you and your closest friends. Singing makes you happy and is great stress relief. When you can just belt one out, in the shower, or wherever else, it feels great and helps you accept yourself.
9. Nap
Napping isn’t for the lazy. And the keyword here is “nap”, a brief (around 45 minutes for optimal results) sleep somewhere in the day. Doing so gives you a little boost of energy and helps power you up mentally among many other benefits.
