By Caitlin Houston
Special to the Record-Journal
When life seems complicated, improving your mental health can feel like an impossible task. Here are 6 easy ways to prioritize your mental health.
Upon the advice of my primary care physician, I started therapy during my long battle with Covid at the start of the pandemic. Ever since that first appointment, my mental well-being has become one of my main priorities in life. Sometimes I wonder how I ever lived without paying such close attention to processing my emotions – but that’s here nor there. Now I have the tools to keep my mental health under control and I want to share them with you!
Here are 6 Ways to Prioritize your Mental Health.
Be OK with not being OK. Sometimes the hardest part is acknowledging your mental health is unwell. No one is meant to be happy 24/7, but sadness/anxiety is never supposed to be your main emotion.
Ask for help. Once you are OK with not being OK, the next difficult step is to ask for help. I’m not saying you need to run out to find a therapist – try talking to someone you love and trust first. If you want the help of a medical professional, look for one on this site. We aren’t meant to travel through the stormy parts of life alone!
Stop the negative self-talk. Be aware of your inner voice and if it’s not nice – tell it to be quiet. Give yourself grace. Whether it’s positive daily affirmations or just recognizing when you’re beating yourself up – be kind to yourself. You are strong. You deserve love. You are in control of your life. Here is how I use self-talk to battle anxiety.
Say “no.” We only have one life to live and our time is both valuable and precious. Say NO to the things that don’t feel good or right. If you have the choice, don’t waste your moments on earth doing anything you don’t want to do.
Move your body. It’s incredible what a WALK outside can do for your mind, body, and health. Don’t want to leave the house – try a kitchen dance party. Or put on soothing music and stretch your body. Exercise is the most natural way to boost your mood and reduce stress.
Make Time for YOU. They say self-care is as simple as brushing your teeth – and they are right. Self care doesn’t have to be expensive or particularly time consuming. Make healthy food choices. Get a good night’s sleep. Do little things that make you happy. Check out my self-care checklist
There are many benefits of prioritizing mental health. From improved self-esteem to increased daily energy, mental health impacts your mind, body, spirit and soul. We are made to laugh, smile, and feel happy – so take control of your mental health today!
Read more about the ways I prioritize my mental health here: Normalizing Therapy, How I Calm Down During an Anxiety Attack, Why I Chose to Take Zoloft for Anxiety and Depression, Ways to Treat Anxiety During Pregnancy
Note: I am not a trained medical professional. All of the advice on the Caitlin Houston Blog is based on personal experiences in therapy and various medical sources.
Caitlin Houston is a Wallingford blogger and mom of three who loves sharing all of her favorites on the Caitlin Houston Blog. Learn about fun activities at home, family friendly travels, easy recipes and more.