Last updated on September 25th, 2023
I have gone through depression (situational), anxiety, hypochondria, and fear owing to some bad phases of life. So, I understand the value of good mental health and can try to tell you what works. Here I am talking about a few mental health habits to improve your living (from my experiences).
These are my top ten favourite mental health habits to improve living which you should also try.
Suggested:
1. Keep a handy journal (one of my favourite mental health habits)
Make a diary or a journal of those who motivate you or who sacrificed everything for their dreams. You can make notes about them and write them in a diary or save it online.
This diary can include brave soldiers’ stories, positive quotes, inspiring people’s stories such as NICK VUJICIC (aka son of God), your ideal person photo, your favourite place or thing photo, or anything that makes you happy.
Watch them on YouTube. Watch motivational stories and make a list of inspiring movies.
How are these mental health habits helpful?
See, everyone has a definite aim in his/her life and works day and night to accomplish it. Your aim could be one or all of these: money, fame, travelling, fitness, or adopting healthy habits.
In between working towards your goal, you start to feel tired. Because your dreams do not come alive only by dreaming about them. They also bring an adequate amount of workload and worries along with enthusiasm and happiness.
At times, you fail to be consistent and want to give up. But when you have a record of these inspiring personalities or your favourite place’s photo, it refreshes your mind and you begin with new zeal.
This zeal helps fight your struggles and boosts your mental health (1).
2. Change the room decor
Do you know how much it affects your mental health? Yes, you may get irritated first at the idea of changing the decor of your living room and may wonder how it is related to improving your mental health.
But let me ask you one thing: Is it going to bring any harm to your health even if it would not help?
So, give it a try and redecorate your living room. It includes the setting of your room, your furniture, the colour of your wall, and wallpaper.
How is it helpful?
Your mind believes what your eyes see. If you keep your environment clean and lively, even the depressed mind manages to keep calm and remain cheerful.
If you see the beauty around you, your mind will believe that life is beautiful as well.
Also read,
40 Positive things to say to yourself daily
3. Cut the toxic people (one of the must-follow mental health habits)
Accept that people are going to judge you no matter what you do. So, never care for those who add bitterness to you instead of adding some good value to your life. Therefore, cut the toxic people from your life ASAP. They include fake friends and relatives. Delete their contact numbers from your phone now. Avoid criticism.
How is it helpful?
They will not irritate you and they will boost your productivity. You will feel a new confidence in yourself and can feel the gifts that life has given to you. You can see the beauty of life and the joy that a toxic person steals if she/he is around.
4. Be selfish
I know, we are taught to become selfless since childhood but when you are tired of serving others, it’s time to do something for yourself only.
Take a holiday. Don’t worry if you can’t go out, you can start some activity at home.
And say NO at times when you don’t want to say YES.
Know that self-care is not selfish.
Further reading:
30 Quick Stress Buster Activities (Awaken Your Inner Child)
How is it helpful?
You get brave and develop confidence in yourself. Your mind becomes ready to face different challenges in life. Your body and mind get rejuvenated. You feel a new wave of energy in yourself.
5. Eat fresh & whole food (mental health habits for a fresh mind & body)
Start your day with green tea and lemon water. Fresh food keeps your mind fresh and energetic. Follow some health and fitness hacks.
There is an old proverb in Hindi: “Jesa Khaye ann, Wesa Hoye Mann”. It means what you eat affects your mind and soul.
How is it helpful?
Your blood will get pure and flow will increase. When your mind is pure and has good blood flow, it feels fresh. Thus, good and fresh food boosts your mental health.
6. Read the Bhagavad Gita
Oh, I should have kept it on no one. And trust me, I am not being religious here. Gita is not all about religion. It is a way of life. It’s a stress-buster manual. It relieves anxiety and frees you from all tensions.
Even if you read one Shlok daily, you will see the magic. It saved me and has been saving many lives for ages.
How is it helpful?
You will develop a spiritual awakening and will learn the right way of living. And when you are aware of what is right and what is wrong, you will not get anxious and depressed easily.
You would boost your mental health this way.
7. Donate (mental health habits showing gratitude)
Donating doesn’t mean you have to donate money. You can donate your time to orphanage children, you can donate your motivation to a distressed heart, and you can donate positivity.
How is it helpful?
You know, this universe returns you what you give today. It will come to you in return for what you are donating to others now.
So, donate hope and you will get mental peace.
8. Family, nature, music
Listen to good music daily. Spend time with family. Ask your parents to tell the stories of your childhood, and watch those moments in old albums. It will bring a smile to your face as well as to your parents’ faces.
Sit in the garden, go outdoors. Listen to the chirping of birds. Studies have proven that spending time with nature improves your mental health and boosts your productivity.
How are these mental health habits helpful?
It gives mental peace and satisfaction.
9. Meditation & Sleep
All of us know, how 6-7 hours of sleep is necessary for your mind and body. So take proper sleep. Meditation also plays an important role to boost your health. Try practising it for 5 minutes daily.
More and more research shows that neuroimaging techniques prove that high-level meditators can reach a state and also influence the default mode network just by sitting in a deep state of meditation.
If are facing trouble with sleeping, these articles will help you:
If you don’t like meditating, this guide will help you:
A complete guide for meditation for those who don’t like to meditate
10. Exercise & Yoga
Last but not least. Exercise not only keeps you fit, but it also lifts your mood too. You can join the gym for it. Or you can set up your home gym.
How is it helpful?
When you sweat, your anxiety also drains out with it.
There are some yoga poses like Uttanasana which give instant relief to stress. If you practice them daily, you can make the most out of your day.
Read,
- 7 Yoga poses to improve mental health
- Best smartwatches in India to track your fitness activities
- Top Budget Smartwatches In India To Help You Stay Fit
Other helpful articles:
- Lost your peace of mind? Figure out why you are not happy
- Self-acceptance: what it means & how to achieve it
- How to improve yourself daily & why you should
- 43 productive things to do to overcome boredom at home
If you liked the article, share these mental health habits with someone you care about and want to see happy!
Finding ways to take care of your mental health is really important. Keeping a healthy mindset will also help you be healthy overall. Thank you for sharing these helpful tips!
Thanks, Krisha for stopping by the 🙂 Nice name ‘Krisha’