May is Mental Health Awareness Month and I love the light this shines on a subject that often resides in the shadows. It can make us uncomfortable to talk about mental health, but it’s a discomfort that’s worth embracing because if our mental health is not very…..healthy, then our quality of life isn’t very high.
The modern western world is not a climate that is conducive to optimal mental health. The super fast-paced world we live in with its 24/7 news coverage and various social media platforms can leave our nerves jangling. As Danish psychiatrist Anders Hansen explains,
“Biologically speaking, we are all hunters and gatherers, that is what we have adapted for, and those instincts that helped us survive in a world of scarcity and a dangerous world, those instincts don’t help us become happy in a world of overabundance.”
But take heart! There are things we can do to support and even improve our mental health right here and now, without returning to the wild and living as our distant ancestors did. The following six tips are simple practices you can begin today to support this critical aspect of our being:
1. Get physical activity every day. There have been countless studies done to show the positive impact exercise and regular physical activity have on our brain and mental health, especially if they are done outside. A gym membership is not required, but a good pair of athletic shoes is! Head outside for a walk. Play frisbee with a friend or your pup. Ride your bike, garden, or if the weather doesn’t permit, follow a workout on YouTube. There is truly something for everyone, regardless of your fitness level or ability. This one is non-negotiable.
2. Journal. There is something about writing that allows us to access deeper feelings and insights that simply thinking about issues does not. Like any new practice, it’s likely to feel awkward at first, but I encourage you to persevere. With time it can become a main pillar of your daily self-care routine.
3. Spend time in stillness. The same conveniences that keep us always connected can rob us of something our nervous system desperately needs: Quiet. Even if we aren’t paying attention to the tv or music in the background, part of our mind is listening and working to make sense of what it’s hearing. Stillness is needed so our overworked nervous systems can rest and reset. Can your next commute be made without music or a book playing? What if you don’t turn on the news when you’re getting ready in the morning? Find little windows each day to be in stillness and enjoy the break from overstimulation.
4. Connect with others. As Dr. Suess noted, life is a great balancing act, and just as we need quiet time for ourselves, we are social creatures and need to connect with other people to enjoy vibrant mental health. While texting or chatting on the phone is fine, there’s nothing like sitting down over a coffee or glass of wine and talking with a loved one or even casual friend. It’s easy to be so focused on completing our to-do lists that the less-critical elements, like catching up with a friend fall by the wayside. And if you take a walk together, that’s covering two tips at once! Make time to connect.
5. Limit screen time. There is no doubt that our electronic devices are very compelling. There’s always something new that’s trending, a game or app that we ‘have to try.’ Yet when we have no limits on the time we spend with our attention on a screen, we are depriving ourselves of living a real life, not just a virtual one. No video of cats is as good as playing with your own pets. No virtual experience is as good for you as starting that gallery wall you’ve been thinking of, or getting back to your watercolors. I’m not anti-technology, but I am an advocate of limiting the time we spend on it. Think about what a good limit is for yourself and set a timer, and mind the timer.
6. Get help if you need it. These practices can support your mental health or even help if you’re struggling, but if your overall wellbeing is compromised by depression, anxiety, PTSD, or any mental health issue, please seek help. You deserve to enjoy your life, and if that requires professional support, prioritize that. I hope these tips will inspire you to consider your mental health worth supporting. It is a key element in creating your life consciously.
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