Are you looking for ways to make yourself feel better about yourself and life in general? Try some of these tips and see if they help boost your mental health.
- Dance around while doing the housework: Turn up the tunes and get down when you’re doing the housework. Chores are not the most stimulating but if you listen to music and dance while you’re doing them you might be surprised how much better you feel. Dancing reduces levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and at the same time increases the body’s feel-good chemicals.
- Don’t be scared to yawn a little: Research suggests that it helps cool your brain and improve mental efficiency and alertness.
- Write a journal: Writing things down and journaling can reduce symptoms of depression.
- Find yourself a furry friend: When you spend time with animals it lowers the stress hormone and boosts oxytocin. This is what stimulates feelings of happiness. You don’t have to get a pet if you don’t want to. Instead, volunteer at an animal shelter or hang out with a friend that’s got a pet.
- Explore your town and be a tourist for the day: We tend to explore attractions when we’re taking a vacation. But, do you know how many cool things there are to do in your hometown?
- Include Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet: These have been linked to decreased rates of depression and schizophrenia. Omega-3’s can be found in wild salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds but if you can’t find these, fish oil supplements work as well.
- If you’re feeling stressed try smiling: Smiling is not easy to do all the time but it can calm you down and lower your heart rate.
- Spend some quality time with friends and family: Take a trip to your local park and enjoy a picnic, play a game, or have a cookout. You are 12 times more likely to be happy on days when you’re spending up to 7 hours with family and friends.
- Enjoy a walk in nature: Take just 30 minutes out of your day and take a hike in the woods or a stroll in the park. Being in nature can boost your wellbeing, reduce depression, and increase energy levels.
- Enjoy 15 minutes in the sun: Sunlight synthesizes Vitamin D which is thought to be a mood elevator.
