The Boost You Didn’t Know You Needed: Tips to Strengthen Your Mental Health

Mental health is one of the most overlooked areas in our lives we should take better care of. You may notice that if your mental isn’t well, other areas of your life and daily routine are affected. Ever wonder why you’re unproductive or super unmotivated when you have too much — or too little — on your mind? Or maybe you get all the physical ailments from being mentally unhealthy like persistent headaches or weight loss (or both) to name a couple. Well sis, you’re not alone. But it’s time to take care of you. Here are a few tips our Loveliness team recommends to help you stay at your best and keep your mental health in check. 

5 Things You Can Do For Your Mental Health

Tip Number 1: Find a therapist!

If you’ve been waiting on a sign to seek therapy, this is it. There is absolutely no problem with soliciting professional help for some extra support. We all need a little extra help sometimes, Sis. There are many benefits to therapy, especially when you find the right therapist who suits your needs. Armed with the right tools and guidance, you can work to overcome past traumas, identify and utilize healthy coping mechanisms and achieve some goals you never thought you could. Having a neutral sounding board who is also trained to give sound advice is a godsend (don’t argue with us). 

Tip Number 2: Get your steps in!

Working out has so many benefits outside of helping you to shed a few pounds. It’s a great way to burn off extra energy and clear your mind throughout a tough work day. Working out also releases dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters responsible for treating depression. And while we’re talking about health, did you know exercising increases our heart rate and sends more oxygen through our blood stream to the brain? This extra oxygen sent to the brain plays an integral part in more brain plasticity, which in layman’s terms means greater memory and learning capabilities. Every day you work out, you are working towards a life without heart disease, high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease. See…we told you exercise had some great benefits!

When you find an exercise you enjoy, it won’t feel like a burden or another “extra” thing on your list you have to cross off. In fact, you’ll feel pretty dang good and the results you get will be the motivation you need to keep going.

Tip Number 3: Say NO!

Sis, when you say “yes” to things that don’t serve you, your mental health is taking a hit! People pleasing has its limits. You cannot pour from an empty cup (and we won’t let you). When people ask things of you, don’t be so quick to give them the answer they want to hear. Give them the answer you need to give after you’ve had the talk with your inner you! It sounds crazy, but if you quickly say “yes” and it’s something that takes away from your self-care or your well-being, will you even be giving 100% when that time comes? NO! So be more selective, think about you and SAY NO when necessary. “No” is a sufficient answer that doesn’t need any extra explaining. 

Tip Number 4: Monitor the news, don’t drown in it!

Do not overload yourself with all the negativity happening in the world. On your socials, follow people who deliver good news and encouraging posts. All the negativities will subconsciously cloud your moods and affect your productivity. Monitor how much you take in. When you’ve taken in too much, have a happy playlist on standby.

Tip Number 5: Meditate!

Play ambient music, lay on your back, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Breathe in ..1..2..3..4..5.. Breathe out ..1..2..3..4..5. Repeat this ten times and see how you feel. If you’re feeling a bit lighter, you did it right! Guided meditation is a vibe, and it’ll do wonders for your peace of mind. And if you’re feeling kinda funny doing this all on your own, there are dozens of apps out there you can follow along to. 

There are so many ways you can clear your mind and strengthen your mental health, while also creating some meaningful habits. These five tips may seem like a short list, but we promise it’s an impactful one. Try them out for size and let us know if you feel (or see) a difference!