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Years ago, I battled sadness and anxiety, and it significantly reduced my quality of life. I had the impression that I was caught in a vicious circle of unfavorable feelings and ideas from which I was unable to escape. Yet as time went on, I learned a number of things that really enhanced my mental well-being.
A lesson you shouldn’t wait to learn late in life is; “everything upstairs controls everything downstairs” which means, every area of your life is going to be controlled by your head_ which is your mental area.
Getting everything upstairs to work fine is much more important than working hard on everything below.
If you spend so much time working on your body and ignoring your head, then, everything is going to come to a standstill and you get shambling results.
In order to work properly on your head, you have to ensure you know what is going in and what is going out.
Your entire life is a general output from your head.
That is why working on your mental health is not just important, it is a priority. A number one priority in your life.
You must work on it, you must ensure it is stable, and working fine.
Do not allow anything to touch. shift it, move it to where it is not supposed to be.
Integrating these techniques into my daily life, took some time and It worked. Yet, I was able to escape the cycle of negativity and significantly enhance my mental health by prioritizing it and taking concrete efforts to do so.
Things I Did to Drastically Improve My Mental Health
1. Cut Off Real-Time Relationships
Last year I cut off a lot of relationships that were not serving me right. it took a lot of courage but I know it needs to be done. These relationships, I have carved for so many years. I had family members included. When I hit rock bottom at the beginning of 2021, I saw the true Colours of everyone who I thought meant everything to me!
It could be more than hard to be going through tough times and at the same time, seeing the true nature of the people who should actually be supporting you, who should be lending you a shoulder. It is a crushing feeling. Later on, it gave me an edge. I learned a lot of lessons. I understood that just because you know people for so many years does not mean the relationship is worth the same number of years.
It does not mean the relationship has gained any iota of worth.
You might just be grinding with people who are just there for the sake of being there and nothing else.
Cutting them off was painful at first, but with time, I realize how better everything was without them. Now I’m like…”Oh my God, what have I been doing with these people for so long?” I found peace. I finally found peace.
Related: 20 Self-Care Ideas For Tough, Hurtful & Traumatic Days
2. Trust Therapy
One of the biggest things that made a difference for me was getting professional assistance through trust counseling. We collaborated to pinpoint the underlying reasons for my anxiety and sadness when I discovered a buddy therapist with whom I felt comfortable communicating everything and anything I felt.
I developed coping mechanisms and tools via a treatment that has helped me better control my emotions and maintain my mental health.
3. Meditation
Another powerful tool that helped me was meditation. I started with just a few minutes a day and gradually worked my way up to longer sessions. Meditation helped me to focus on the present moment and calm my racing thoughts.
It also helped me to become more aware of my thoughts and emotions, which made it easier to manage them. It also helped me forgive those who hurt me and seek new pathways for protecting my heart from cruelty.
Although I’m not a fan of meditation, but since I realized I could meditate on my bed it got easier for me and I started loving it.
4. Gratitude
Practicing gratitude was another thing that helped me improve my mental health. Each day, I would take a few minutes to reflect on the things in my life that I was grateful for.
Focusing on the positive things in my life helped me to shift my perspective and appreciate the good things, even on tough days.
5. Exercise
Exercise has also been a game-changer for me. I started with just a few minutes of walking or yoga each day and gradually built up to more intense workouts. Exercise not only helped me to manage my weight and improve my physical health, but it also helped me to boost my mood and reduce my anxiety.
Oh, you guessed right, I am not a fan of exercise but I had to do it anyway because my body wanted it and I had to give my body what it wanted for me to have peace and for me to enjoy my life.
To ease the process, I got a home Vibration Plate (for my whole body), Core & Abdominal Machine, and Folding Treadmill for days I don’t want to step out for any kind of exercise.
6. Self-care
Taking care of myself became a top priority for me. I started prioritizing things that made me feel good, like taking a relaxing bath, reading a good book, or spending time with loved ones. I learned to say no to things that drained my energy and set boundaries to protect my mental health.
One of the self-care I particularly practice weekly is aromatherapy. I found it to be very interesting and good for me. I do chamomile and lavender using this great aromatherapy diffuser that made it so good.
7. Nutrition
I found that eating a healthy, balanced diet had a significant impact on my mental health. I started incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into my meals, while also reducing my intake of processed foods and sugary drinks.
I stopped feeling tired all the time and lazy.
8. Mindfulness
In addition to meditation, I also found mindfulness to be helpful. Mindfulness involves bringing awareness to the present moment and accepting it without judgment. I practiced mindfulness during everyday activities like brushing my teeth or washing the dishes, which helped me to be more present and reduce stress.
9. Journaling
Writing down my thoughts and emotions in a journal helped me to process them and gain a better understanding of myself. I found that journaling before bed helped me to clear my mind and sleep better.
I know you’ve been hearing a lot about journaling and it may seem overrated but it is not. Journaling is good and you don’t need any special skill or way to do it_ just do it in your own very personal way. You don’t need anyone to teach you how to journal, just do your S*** yourself.
Since I plan on journaling for a very long time I got this hard paperback with a multiple-page bullet journal that I still have multiple pages left.
10. Social support
Connecting with others and building a support system was crucial for my mental health. I made an effort to reach out to friends and family, and I also joined a support group where I could talk with others who were going through similar struggles.
11. Learning new skills
Learning new skills and challenging myself mentally also helped me to improve my mental health. I took up hobbies like painting and gardening, which gave me a sense of accomplishment and boosted my mood. I also took online courses to learn new skills and expand my knowledge.
You can determine what works best for you by prioritizing your mental health and trying out various techniques.
