Life can be taxing for anyone regardless of their circumstances. Whatever your situation is at the moment, it’s important to take care of your mental health. Try these 5 easy ways to keep your mental health in check at all times.
Maintain Physical Activity
Most people, especially those who are working from home, have trouble maintaining physical activity. Physical activities that come with commuting to the office are no longer in the picture for them. Instead, they sit in front of their desks for hours and head straight to the sofa afterward. Such a routine is not healthy for the body and the brain.
Regular exercise has a positive impact on mental health. It helps keep both the brain and the body healthy. But you don’t need to do strenuous workouts; simple physical activities will do. What’s important is to get your body moving daily. Dedicate a few minutes to walk around your yard, play with your pets or kids, or even dance inside your house. These will do miracles for your mental health. They can also boost your mood and energy and possibly get you out of a rut.
Keep In Touch With Your Loved Ones
People naturally need each other. It is perfectly normal to crave social interaction, and this is true even for introverts. Studies have shown that people with close social ties are happier and live longer. However, there are times when we’re so busy that it’s difficult to fit face-to-face interactions into our schedules.
With smartphones and the internet, you have the means to stay connected with the people you love even when you’re stuck at home. Start a habit of calling, video calling, or simply chatting with your friends and family to improve everyone’s well-being. You can chat about mundane things to keep yourselves entertained. But keep in mind that talking about your feelings is also important. In addition, don’t forget to ask your friends or family members about their own lives.
However, since nothing can replace physical interactions, you should make the most of small, daily encounters. You could greet or wave to your neighbors when they pass by your house, or you can be courteous and friendly with those you meet during grocery runs. People need to be there for each other no matter what.
Get Enough Sleep
Good sleep plays a major role in maintaining physical and mental health. It’s quite easy to forget about when you’re busy as well as when you’re having fun. However, consistently getting insufficient sleep is disruptive for your overall well-being. It also affects your mental clarity, thereby affecting the quality of your work. In times of extreme stress, maintaining a regular sleep schedule is imperative.
If you are having difficulties following a regular sleep schedule, there are a few things you can incorporate into your routine:
- Listen to calming music.
- Minimize the use of smartphones, computers, and the TV 3 hours before bedtime.
- Meditate and stop thinking about work.
- Take a warm bath.
- Dim the lights.
- Keep your bedroom cool and quiet.
These will facilitate relaxation, which will make it easier for you to sleep soundly. Remember: your body needs deep, relaxing sleep, not restless sleep.
Do Something You Are Passionate About
Sometimes, taking care of your mental health is also about making yourself feel good. As an adult, you may have forgotten the importance of doing something purely for your enjoyment because of the pressure to be constantly productive. You may have neglected your hobbies because of work. Stress will only build up to fatigue if you don’t take breaks from work.
A great reminder that there is life and purpose beyond earning money is a hobby, something you do for passion or pleasure. Try to return to one of your passions while you’re working from home and see the difference it makes to your mental health. If you don’t have a hobby, starting a new one would be just as good.
Don’t limit passion to hobbies alone. Passion can also come in the form of helping others. Think of an advocacy that is close to your heart. Or perhaps, there is someone in your neighborhood who needs some assistance with running errands. Even the smallest actions can have an incredible impact on others and on your mental health as well.
Start Your Own Relaxation Practice
Relaxation is often confused with watching TV, playing video games, and scrolling through social media, but they are not quite the same. While those activities you enjoy can help you unwind and forget about work, they are not calming for your mind. They still fill your mind with sensory input that contributes to stress levels. Certain video games, for instance, can have violent or stressful scenarios.
Relaxation practices such as yoga, meditation, massage, and warm baths help reduce stress and fatigue. They help the mind relax by giving it a break from external stimuli while also promoting positive thoughts and habits. Our Chakras Bath Soak is great for people who don’t have much time to dedicate to a relaxation routine. A 15- to 30-minute muscle soak with this soothing bath salt will boost your mood and energy.
Final Notes On Keeping Your Mental Health In Check
Everyone reacts to stressful situations in different ways. That is why you need to be extra vigilant about your own mental health as well as the well-being of the people around you. Try the tips we’ve mentioned to keep your mental health in check while working from home. See which ones work well for you, or do them all if you can. Better Bath Better Body offers a wide range of bath soaks especially formulated for relaxation. Check out all of our products here for the ultimate bath experience.
