Just as your physical well-being is important to living a long, happy life, your mental well-being is as, if not more, important. We’ve already covered some of our top tips for maintaining or improving your physical well-being, so now we’re going to cover some of our favorite ways to improve your mental wellness!
TRY JOURNALING
Sometimes, if you can’t get certain thoughts out of your head, the best thing to do is write them down. It’s as easy as sitting down with a notebook and your favorite pen and devoting some time to writing out what you’re thinking about. The act of journaling can help relieve stress and anxiety by helping you externalize feelings in a productive manner and has also been shown to help navigate trauma.
If you’re unsure of where to start when journaling, try some of these prompts:
- What is one thing you’re grateful for today?
- What are your goals for the next week, month and year?
- If money were no object, where would you take a vacation and what would you do?
UNPLUG FOR AN HOUR
We know, we know. If you’re reading this, then you’re on some sort of device. The thing is, if when you’re done reading this, you set your phone down or close your laptop for an hour, you may start to feel less stress and anxiety. Aside from the physical benefits — reducing eye strain, improved posture and improved quality sleep — there are a host of mental benefits associated with less screen time.
There’s no denying that technology is addictive. How often have you caught yourself scrolling endlessly through dog videos or the latest dance trend? By unplugging, even for a little bit, you’re helping break that addiction cycle, lowering your stress and anxiety, improving your real-life connections and giving yourself time to engage in other interests.
LISTEN TO YOUR FAVORITE SONG
It doesn’t matter if you’re cruising in your car with the windows down or cuddling up in an armchair, turning your favorite song on isn’t just fun, it’s good for you! Listening to music has been shown in studies to stimulate your brain, which can lead to better learning and engagement. Listening to your favorite song can also help your memory (raise your hand if you can remember every lyric, but not your aunt’s birthday).
Finally, you’re likelier to be happier because when you listen to something you love, your brain releases dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin — all of which have a positive impact on the brain. So go ahead, listen to the song you’ve already listened to 2,957 times in your life!
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