Our minds have been all over the place lately, what with the pandemic running through 2020, and the strange Christmas and New Year that is lying ahead of us.
Many of us have spent a lot more time alone this year, which might have played with our emotions a little more. Remember, there’s no race to getting through this year the fastest, the most optimistic, or the most positive. There is no destination we have to feel forced to reach, it’s more about doing what we can to keep ourselves and our mindsets as well as possible.
Our mental wellbeing gradually shifts and changes as we go through different things in life, and for the majority of people, 2020 has been a real tester. But we’ve almost made it through the worse, and if it’s taught me anything in particular, I understand the ways I can go about to always be improving my mind and outlook.
If you’ve been waking up feeling a little glum, remember that happiness doesn’t have a withdrawal limit, we can all be focusing on our mental health and putting as much emphasis on improving it as we can. Instead of wishing for material things, I find myself asking to “Be calmer,” “feel less stressed,” and “find contentment,” when my phone hits 11:11 everyday and I make a little wish. I guess what I’m trying to say is that healthy life goals are more important than the material things I’ve been guilty of praying for before.
I feel that it helps to know you’re giving your body the best chance it can to be healthy, too. When we are constantly indulging in bad foods, alcohol or sugary snacks, we can start to feel resentment at our choices. But when we have committed to a health week, the difference we feel is huge! It can take a few days to get into the right mindset for healthy eating, but when you do, it’s do worth it/ Start off by being aware of your vitamin intake, and take a supplement if needs be. Make smoothies and add superfood blends to them to give your health a boost. One like Healthxcel Superfoods Blend is a great one to add to a fruit/veggie smoothie!
If you want to reach some positive mindset goals by end of the week and feel a little more upbeat, here are 5 easy changes that will drastically improve your mental health and happiness:
Bring meditation into your daily routine
Meditation has always been known to help clear your mind, however, it’s something that doesn’t always appeal to everyone and there can be confusion around it. Meditating is easier said than done because it’s never one-size-fits-all and there are various ways of making it work for you, so it’s important to know that you can do it to suit your own needs. Waking up at 5.30am to sit and meditate didn’t work for me, but some people swear by it!
Instead of promising to yourself to “start meditating,” instead try to schedule a few minutes of meditation into your daily routine. Let it work in naturally at first, like during the time you enjoy your coffee in the morning, or when you are travelling on a train or bus. You can use apps like Headspace to get started, and schedule 20 minutes to see if it works for you. Or you can try having a vacation on a wellness retreat in the UK to attend meditation sessions to know what kind of relaxation meditation can provide
If you start off thinking that meditation has to be something you need to set aside extra time for, you might see it as a chore, so try to let it slip into your day to begin with.
Take control of your social media and the accounts that aren’t serving you
There is nothing finer for your mind that having a social media edit, including removing people from your Instagram, Faceboon and beyond which zap your mood. This week, spend a few minutes to completely detox your social media. Unfollow or mute any accounts that do not make you feel inspired, happy, or confident. If some of these accounts are people you know, muting for a while might be the best answer.
Try to spend some time following more inspirational accounts that do serve your mind in a positive way. Career focused accounts, women you are doing well and sharing tips, quotes, motivation – whatever it is that makes your mind a happy place.
When you have access to only inspirational accounts, you will find that will serve as a reminder to be calm and happy.
Also, it might be the best time to unfollow anyone associated with an ex or an old flame too!
Learn to accept how you feel, and when to say ‘no’
If you’re struggling more than normal and have been for a while, yourit could be a more severe case of depression that you have, which needs more professional help. Try to realise this as soon as you can and don’t be in denial – getting help is so important and can really be the turning point you need.
There are lots of articles and advice on psychiatry online, which may be able to give you a solid starting point to recognising how you feel and what to do about it moving forward. Your state on mind can become a mental illness, but it’s best to learn that’s the case sooner rather than later, and get the help you need.
With this in mind, when you feel a little lost and are struggling mentally, the best thing you can do is to look after yourself and don’t please others during the process. If you don’t feel up to seeing or speaking to anyone, don’t be afraid to say ‘no’. Learning to say ‘no’ when it helps you and your mind is important – never be pushed into being socialable or active when your mind wants you to rest and look after yourself.
Learn to use essential oils based on your mood.
Essential oils are a natural way of lifting you into a certain state of mind, if used correctly and with some knowledge around them. Whether you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or frazzled, sometimes it can be the small things like an uplifting scent which can work wonders.
If you want to destress or relax, it’s a good idea to diffuse lavender essential oil, or use it in a mist formula and spritz onto your pillow in the evening. If it is that you need more energy, or want to boost your mood, try peppermint oil or citrus oil. You can invest in pretty diffusers, incense sticks or even pulse point essential oils that roll onto the skin. An instant pick me up!
Make more time for people who can help you smile and laugh
They don’t say ‘Laughter is the best medicine’ for nothing! Smiling constantly and laughing is literally like therapy for the mind and body, but obviously it’s something that cant be forced.
There have been various studies done over the years that have shown therapeutic benefits of laughter, which all boils down to laughter releasing endorphins. When it comes to boosting our mental wellbeing, one way to do this is to surround ourselves with the people that that can make us laugh, smile and feel all relaxed. There’s something about these people that bring joy to our minds, make us feel less alone, and let loose of the ‘goofier’ side we have – our inner child so to speak!
Remember that everyone feels low at certain times, and not everyone responds to be the same ‘pick me ups’ – so don’t feel alarmed if something that works for someone else, doesn’t work immediately for you.
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