One thing that goes hand in hand with your financial wellness is mental wellness, especially during times of uncertainty. Life doesn’t always give warnings or prepare us enough to go through times of uncertainty. Plus, it's so easy to get caught up in negativity when you are being bombarded with unforeseen events. That's why it's important to develop habits to improve mental health!
Practicing these habits can help you boost your mood and improve your overall mental health wellness. So if you've been feeling down or simply want to improve your total wellbeing, try these healthy habits for mental health to kickstart your new mindset!
Top 10 habits to improve mental health
Here are some habits to improve mental health that will help you manage stress, anxiety and help you to look after yourself. Remember to prioritize these healthy habits for mental health so you can live your best life possible!
1. Establish a daily routine so you have something to look forward to
Taking a shower, getting dressed, creating a schedule for your workday. These are all things you can do to establish a daily routine. You can even map out time to journal, watch tv, or work on a hobby. The whole idea is to create a positive environment that you can look forward to each day.
Having a routine helps you avoid staying stuck in your emotions. Especially for extended periods of time, which can have a negative effect on your mental health wellness.
You can establish a routine by making a list of things to do during the week and on the weekends. Once you have this list in place and you begin working through it, you can adjust it accordingly.
Although it seems simple, it's an important mental wellness activity to start. Especially if you work alone.
Check out our Wellness Wednesday tips for ideas to establish your routine.
2. Stay active for a mental health wellness boost
Incorporating some form of daily exercise into your routine can have a positive impact on your mental health. This is because exercise stimulates the chemicals in your brain, making you feel happier. And not just that, exercise can have a positive impact on various other aspects of your life.
From helping you maintain your weight to combating health conditions and even promoting better sleep. It's definitely worth building a form of exercise into your routine.
There are lots of free at-home workout videos on YouTube. There are also free apps like Nike Training Club to help out with this. Getting active is one of the best habits to improve mental health.
3. Create lists to simplify your life
For some, simple tasks such as going to the grocery store can be overwhelming. Don't feel odd if you do because it's actually more common than you think! However, creating lists and spending time to find what you need, either online or at the store, can help you simplify your life which can help your mental wellness.
Buying enough to last you a couple of weeks, based on your list, and then meal planning according to what you have can also help. This way, you can minimize any anxiety you feel from making multiple grocery store trips. By doing this, you are establishing a flow and reducing anxiety from an activity that brings you stress.
4. Disconnect from the media
With so much negative news and constant updates about what's happening around the world, watching the news can quickly get overwhelming.
To create a sense of balance in your life, try limiting how much time you spend consuming the news or on social media. This will give you a mental break and minimize your stress and anxiety about things you cannot control. A social media detox is a perfect way to help mental health wellness.
5. Find ways to stay entertained
Finding ways to stay entertained is a great boost to your mental wellness. This is because entertainment helps you take your mind off pressing concerns. So read a good book, catch up on a podcast or work your way through those Netflix shows everyone keeps talking about.
Doing these things can be a great way to keep your mind occupied - in a good way. So try a mental wellness activity that keeps you entertained.
6. Work on that project you've been putting off
Is there a project at home you've been putting off? Perhaps a side hustle idea to increase your income streams or a fun hobby you haven't had time for? It could also be revising your goals or organizing your home.
Carving out time and putting some energy towards getting those things done is great for your mental health. You get to stay productive and work on a goal. This is turn, will give you a sense of accomplishment once you get the task completed.
7. Maintain your social connections
Check-in and stay connected with your family, friends, and social networks online. Your social connections are extremely important to your mental health wellness.
In times of uncertainty, it's easy to retreat into a shell. However, some studies show that social connections can improve your emotional well-being and increase the longevity of your life.
8. Improve your mental health with positive affirmations
Do you want to know the simplest mental wellness activity you can start that has powerful results? Positive affirmations! It's true that positive affirmations can improve your mindset.
If you need some help getting started then check out our lists of self-love affirmations, financial affirmations, student affirmations, and morning affirmations to improve your mental health wellness.
9. Embrace self-care habits to improve mental health
Finally, be aware of your thoughts and emotions. To do this, spend time meditating, doing breathing exercises, praying for breakthroughs, or journaling. Finding quiet time for yourself in a world full of chaos can help to minimize your anxiety. Leaning on your faith through uncertain times will keep you grounded.
It could mean waking up early if you have a busy household or sleeping a little later and that's ok. Making time for yourself is important. So find a mental wellness activity that involves some self-care time.
10. Take charge of your finances
Did you know that mining your finances is one of the most important healthy habits for mental health? So if you've been avoiding your finances or are behind on bills then take a time out to get your finances in order. The best way to do this is to make it fun!
Have a piece of your favorite dessert while creating your budget or paying bills. This way it doesn't seem like a chore and you won't mind doing it. You'll be surprised at how much better you will feel mentally once you get your money right!
Establish these habits to improve mental health!
Remember, even when things are out of your control, you can control how you respond. Also, developing healthy habits for mental health is the best way to combat difficult times! As you focus on your mental health wellness, be sure to involve your partner, kids, friends, and family too.