World Mental Health Day – 5 strategies to take care of your mental wellbeing

The emergency of the pandemic — with its deaths, economic strife, and unprecedented restraints on human interaction — has already had a marked effect on people’s mental health. Researchers worldwide are examining the causes and repercussions of this stress, and some fear that the deterioration in mental health could linger long after the pandemic has subsided. There has been an undeniable rise in people experiencing symptoms of trauma or stress-related disorders, as well as starting or increasing the use of substances to cope with stress.

These disorders don’t just disappear as quickly as they came: Anyone who has experienced stress or mental health issues knows that removing the cause of the pain is not a guarantee of immediate well-being.

We are currently still far from closure, and this could make it harder to process trauma. We are going through an adjustment period that is very much required to feel comfortable again, but it may involve lowered mood due to the stress of uncertainty.

For example, making decisions we are no longer used to or haven’t had to make before will require higher effort from the brain and could lead to mental fatigue. Similarly, people embracing an expeditious reentry stand the possibility of overstimulation by changing things too fast and feeling burnt out.

Which are the strategies that we can enact to improve mental health and motivation?

Routine is your friend

Maintaining a routine or daily plan helps to manage anxiety and to adapt more quickly to the current reality. Make a list of the things that you normally do during the day. Include everything, from work to meal preparation to family duties. Once the basic tasks are outlined, you can start creating your personal strategy for what you might need to accomplish each day to stay on track. Learn more on how to maintain a healthy routine in our app.

Keep Active 

Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate, sleep, and feel better. Exercise keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy and is also a significant benefit towards improving your mental health. You don’t have to be an athlete to reach a daily exercise routine. Small fitness programs or regular walking are enough to boost your body and mind. Why don’t you try with an achievement STEP CHALLENGE in our app?

Eat well

Your brain needs a mix of nutrients in order to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body.

A balanced diet fuels your system with all the components needed to perform at its best. Macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fat — which provide your body with energy – and micronutrients like vitamins and minerals are essential for your body and therefore your mind. Join our nutrition programs and learn more about healthy nutrition.

Meditate 

Meditation isn’t about learning how to empty your mind or stop your thoughts, it is the practice of training your attention and focus on what really matters, with a non-judgmental attitude. Mindfulness meditation is the most common type of meditation nowadays and possibly the simplest way to start. Mindfulness has to do with paying attention to what you’re feeling, sensing, and observing in the present moment. If you don’t know where to start, try our mindfulness programs.

Do something you’re good at

What do you love? What activities do you enjoy the most? What once started, you can’t stop doing? Enjoying yourself can help beat stress. Doing an activity you fancy reasonably means you’re good at it, and achieving a goal through an entertaining activity can help to boost your self-esteem and higher your mood. If you need more tips on how to boost your self-esteem, click here.

Neglecting your mental health can be easy, especially since it’s not something we are always taught or reminded to prioritize. However, taking a step back and examining your mental well-being is key to a happy and healthy life.

Developing a long-term action plan can help to change how you perceive things. This could improve your positivity and support you in feeling every day a little better!

Your Humanoo team