It Actually Worked! 12 Easy Ways to Improve Your Mental Health — Fast.
Tired of feeling worn out, sad, anxious, or exhausted day after day? It happens to the best of us at times!
Thankfully, improving your physical and mental health is often easier than you might think.
While you will likely want to start your new health journey with a trip to your doctor to rule out any medical complications, there are several very easy small things you can do – starting today! – to dramatically increase your physical and mental health.
1. Exercise
While it can be difficult to find the energy and motivation to start exercising if you aren’t already in the habit, if you can discipline yourself enough to start a simple exercise routine, you can reap some major benefits!
Recently, someone asked on a popular social community: “What massively improved your mental health?”
One person shared how exercise helped them. “When I started to exercise and take care of myself, it trickled into other areas. My workouts made me feel better about myself but also sore so in order to improve my workout performance and to help myself recover better. I realized sleep was key. Once you start to take care of yourself in one area, you’ll take care of yourself in other areas, too.”
2. Get Enough Sleep
With long to-do lists, families that need us, and TVs and phones offering endless distractions, it can be difficult to get (and stay!) asleep at night. However, many people have found that getting enough sleep at night can make a dramatic difference in both their physical and mental health.
If you’re struggling to sleep enough at night, you might try going to bed earlier, investing in blackout curtains or a sound machine, watching your food and caffeine intake, purchasing a new pillow or mattress, or taking over the counter sleep medication to help your mind and body get the rest they need.
3. Avoid Internalizing Anxiety and Negativity from Others
Another commenter shared how avoiding other people’s stress and negatively made a positive difference in their life.
“This is a big one for me too! Recognizing that other people’s anxiety or negativity is not my own. Also understanding that it’s okay to feel ‘negative’ emotions. I grew up not being allowed to express anything but positivity. So learning how to express ‘negative’ emotions in a healthy way is very helpful!”
This tip can be difficult to do if you’ve been conditioned over a lifetime to worry too much about what your friends and family think or how they feel. However, once you let go of feelings that aren’t yours to hold (and give yourself permission to feel your own), it’s an absolute game-changer.
4. Abstain from Adult Beverages
While enjoying an adult beverage can be a relaxing way to unwind at the end of a long and stressful day, enjoying too many can easily lead to unintended and unwanted consequences.
Current research shows that those who drink are more likely to develop mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Plus, these types of drinks can lead you to make poor choices that will worsen your life the next day (and down the road).
5. Eat Healthy Foods
Just like exercising, eating healthy is a skill that can take time to fully appreciate. Most people don’t automatically wake up in the morning craving broccoli, asparagus, or hummus. However, if you can gradually eat less processed foods and more whole foods, you’re likely to notice a big shift in both your physical and mental health.
Thankfully, there are tons of great recipes out there, making eating healthy easier than you might imagine!
6. Stay Off of Social Media
Social media can be a great way to keep up with friends and family, many of whom might live far away or be too busy for regular get-togethers. It’s not without negative side effects, however.
Many social media users have reported that using the most popular social platforms can easily lead to feelings of jealousy, comparison, increased negativity, and general dissatisfaction with life.
While some people find it helpful to limit who they follow, which sites they visit, or how long they spend online, others are embracing a more offline approach. One person shared, “It’s been a month since I stopped using [almost] all SM… and I’m feeling way better already.”
7. Take a Walk
If you live in a safe neighborhood with decent weather, the simple act of taking a walk outside in the sunshine and fresh air can offer some massive benefits.
One commenter shares their regular routine: “After work, [I] pop out for 45 minutes – 1 hour, listening to an audiobook or podcasts. It’s a great way to decompress and moving makes you feel good.”
Of course, your walks don’t have to be this long to be beneficial. Even if you can only get outside for 5-15 minutes, every little bit really does help.
8. Adopt a Pet
Turns out, pets aren’t just adorable. They can be good for your mental health too!
One commenter shared this about their pet: “Taking care of her gets me out of bed on time, playing with her breaks up my sitting and working, and falling asleep with her weight on me is so soothing. There is something so wonderful about a cat walking over to you to get affection. Like they really choose you, you know? Feels good.”
When choosing a pet, be sure to consider your lifestyle and ability to care for an animal. Whether you need an animal that’s easy to take care of, travels well, doesn’t shed, or will force you into daily walks in the sunshine, you’ll want to be realistic about the ongoing care you can provide in this season.
9. Go to Counseling
Great news! Counseling doesn’t have to be taboo anymore. In fact, more and more people are turning to trusted counselors to work through their past struggles and to find hope and strategies to thrive in the future.
One commenter shared, “Just having someone to help me talk through things a little and hold me accountable a little has helped tremendously. Plus has pointed a few things out I didn’t initially notice or know which I’m sure everyone could use.”
10. Set Healthy Boundaries
Setting boundaries can be difficult, especially if you grew up in a family that taught that boundaries were unloving, unnecessary, or unrealistic. However, establishing clear guidelines for the types of behavior you will (and will not) tolerate can lead to massive improvement in your life.
11. Spend Time on a Hobby
Do you have a hobby that brings you great job and satisfaction? If your life has been consumed by work, home, and family, it may be time to explore your interests and find something fun to bring you joy.
Popular options include gardening, cooking, writing, drawing, dancing, painting, knitting, photography, singing, hiking, and more!
Hobbies are especially fun with good friends or family members, so don’t be afraid to invite someone to join you!
12. Laugh Every Day
When was the last time you had a good laugh? If the stress and demands of work, health, and family have left you laughing less often lately, it may be time to add some intentional laughter back into your day.
Listen to your favorite comedian online, volunteer to watch your young grandchildren, or call up an old friend who always makes you laugh. You’ll feel lighter and more ready to handle the day before you know it!
7 Best Bible Apps for Christian Women — All Free!
Ever wish you could read the Bible more regularly or study the Bible more in-depth? Well… There’s an app for that!
Whether you’re looking for an interesting Bible reading plan, an audio version to read the Bible to you, or in-depth Bible studies led by trained pastors, these ten popular Bible study apps allow you to take Scripture with you wherever you go. Plus, they’re free!
7 Best Bible Study Apps for Christians
15 Famous Celebrities Who Embrace Christianity Despite Public Scrutiny
The morals and values of celebrities in Hollywood often stand in stark contrast to the Christian faith. Where the Bible says not to be arrogant or put your hope in wealth (1 Tim 6:17), many in Hollywood flaunt their expensive mansions, cars, and wardrobes.
Or when the Bible says “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourself (Philippians 2:3),” it’s obvious to see how the cut-throat world of Hollywood makes this verse difficult to live out.
Thankfully, there are several celebrities who are successful actors AND followers of Christ. In fact, these men and women use their fame as a way to honor God and give back to others – exactly what the Christian faith is all about.
15 Famous Celebrities Who Embrace Christianity Despite Public Scrutiny
