How to Prioritise your Mental Health

We all have our daily routines, tight schedules and a to-do list we tend to keep a track of almost everyday. Despite that, there are some days where we don’t feel like doing anything at all. We lose track of time, feel burnt out to carry on or find it hard just to get out of bed. Though people assure you that it’s okay and that it’s probably nothing, remember to cut some slack for yourself every now and then. Take those days off when you don’t feel like it. On days you don’t know what to choose, choose your mental health. Here’s how:

1. Taking care of your body

Taking care of your body doesn’t mean sprinting to the salon to get a pedicure or your hair done. It’s also about prioritising your eating and drinking habits. You don’t necessarily need to track all the calories on your plate. Just fuel yourself on a healthy diet of nutrients and proteins. It makes sense because your brain works faster that way. The better you eat, the better you work. To the caffein addicts and alcoholic junkies, here’s a piece of advice- You might want to watch out on how much you consume. Though these can help in calming your mood and relieving your stress levels occasionally, they can also take a toll on you by triggering anxiety and irritability. But don’t worry, there are alternatives to keep you hydrated. 7 glasses of water should do just the trick! On the contrary, it’s a much cheaper and healthier choice, don’t you agree?

2. Physical care

Getting physical isn’t all about being a gym freak. Even the simplest of things like doing a little bit of yoga, light channelling, cycling or going for a walk contributes in ways you don’t think make a difference. To keep up the consistency, you could work out with a partner. Not only do you get your boost of endorphins, but you also get an opportunity to connect better by planning with someone else. Forget about tracking your calories, burn them!

3. Getting enough sleep

Though staying up till 2 A.M watching a show or a movie seems really exciting, it isn’t exactly the best idea in the world. Depending on sleeping pills can be worser and you might as well call it quits if you’re consuming caffein late in the day. Learn to sleep and wake yourself up at consistent times. Optimise your bedroom environment by minimising noise and light. Set the temperature according to your preference. Try not drinking right before bed as it can have a negative impact on your daytime energy. Reduce afternoon napping. Lack of proper sleep can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, obesity and other types of unpleasant health complications. Don’t compromise. Get the beauty sleep that you need!

4. Connecting with people

The worst piece of advice someone could possibly say to you is to “calm down” while you’re anxious or to “be positive” when you’re feeling depressed. Though it sounds like they’re trying to help, if you know someone who’s struggling, find support. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a psychologist or a therapist if you really need professional help. They’re there to take care of you when in need. Rather than bottling it all up and calling it “staying strong”, letting it out and being free seems like a wiser choice. Stick with the people who bring out the wellness in you. If you find comfort in the warmth and positivity that they radiate, then keep the connection going. 

5. One step at a time

Though being able to multitask makes one feel proud enough in terms of being “efficient”, productivity is measured in terms of how well you do the job compared to how many you do. If you try everything at once, you will probably end up getting nothing done. Stop setting resolutions. Focus on improving your habits. Try writing down a couple of ways that can help you de-stress. Remember to breathe deep. Small steps between lily pads are better than a giant leap into the pond. Give yourself credit. Take it easy. Take it one step at a time. You’ll get there.

6. Dealing with fear the right way

Although fear is an inevitable emotion we human beings are prone to experience in our lives, dealing with it in the right way is important. Try to embrace fear. It sounds ridiculous when you first think of it, but dodging them will only make them worser. Anxiety isn’t necessarily designed to make you feel inactive. Instead it helps us act in ways to generate the outcome we want. Understand what you’re afraid of. Don’t ignore it, it will only grow more on you. Let it inform your actions, but not control them. Fear is real, the danger is not. 

Mental health is more than just looking for ways to cure anxiety and depression. It’s more about renewing your hope, strength, healing, progress and energy. It’s about advocating within circles of our influence. It’s about validating multiple social, psychological and biological factors to recognise the level of mental well being a person has at any point of view. You don’t have to control you thoughts but you can stop letting them control you. Let your story go. Allow yourself to be present with who you are right now. 

Being realistic and accepting your reality is what contributes if you want to prioritise your mental health, because if you won’t work, not much in your life will.