Your mental health is such an important part of your overall wellbeing, we someone only focus on the physical side of things but like me I can sometimes forget about looking after my own mental health. Especially during these difficult times of quarantine, finding ways to look after your mental health is even more important.
So what can you do and why is it so important?
Why Is It Important?
It is so important to look after your mental health because if you’re like me, I tend to try and avoid what I’m thinking or feeling, I try to put it in a little box, lock it up and throw away the key. How very Bree Van De Kamp of me (got to love a Desperate Housewives reference). But it is so important to acknowledge how you are thinking and feeling and deal with it. Avoiding it only makes things worse in my opinion.
The thing is though the more I bottle up my emotions and what I’m thinking it only makes it worse and it ends up coming out in the wrong way and it doesn’t end up helping in the long term.
What Should You Do?
There are a few things I’ve been doing while in lockdown to help this as I’ve been struggling lately. Finding ways that work has definitely been a bit of trial and error, some things worked, others don’t and that is okay.
01. Workouts
Now I always loved my exercise even before the lockdown, however I recently started running. I started over Easter actually and loved it. It was really strange as I just had an urge to go for a run and I’ve not stopped ever since. I am lucky that I have a local country park and a nature reserve where I can go for a run, which is so nice and I am able to safely social distance without coming into contact with others.
02. Meditation
I’ve recently started meditating again, I used to do it all of the time, but for some reason I stopped. I installed the Calm app and honestly it works wonders for me. It is so relaxing, it walks you through everything and has really helped to centre me. I would definitely recommend it. There are free options you don’t have to pay for it either unless you want to.
03. Journaling
I recently stopped doing my bullet journal, I’m not even sure why at this point as I loved creating spreads a month, but I have started off small, jus doing a weekly page, and making a list of intentions for the week and that has really helped me. It helps me to keep my thoughts in order, it helps me to plan what I need to do and keep me on track. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate spread, but it can really help to keep you on the right track.
04. Turn Off Social Media Notifications
I’ve been doing this a lot lately, mainly because sometimes I just need a bit of a break, some time away to focus on other things. Social media is amazing do not get me wrong I love it so much, but sometimes you really just do need some time away from it. It can consume you, so being away from it can really help.
05. Learn Something New
I’ve been learning a language through Duolingo, I started off with French because it is something that I did at school and actually have a qualification in, so I thought start simple, and now I’m learning Italian. This has really helped to keep my mind occupied and do something different. Duolingo is absolutely free and I really enjoy this app.
06. Give Yourself A Break
Sometimes you genuinely just need a day away, to forget the world, to do something you want to and what makes you happy. Take a day to just be yourself, to breathe, to let go of all of those thoughts saying you’re not good enough or you’re not strong enough. Taking a break is okay, and it is necessary.
What tips do you have for looking after your mental health? Let me know in the comments!
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Love this. I’ve found journaling and learning to letter so useful. And I definitely go a lot easier on myself these days ❤️
Meditation is really helps me in terms of relaxing and easing my anxiety x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I’ve been seriously slacking with exercise since lockdown began but it has actually had a negative impact on my mental health. As of tomorrow, I’m going to try and do some light, gentle exercise three times a week to try and get myself back into a better head space!
Rosie
I’ve been working out and meditating since lockdown too and it’s so beneficial! I never would have thought of mediating before but now I have no excuse not to find the time for it!
Love Lozza xo
http://girlygabble.com
Meditating is one of my favourite ways to have self-care and just switch off from the world. Turning off your social media notifications is such a great idea! I’m sending you so much love. Stay strong, stay home, stay safe. ♡
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
I have found that short walks have helped with my anxiety and also not checking social media daily xx
I think exercise definitely helps, as well as keeping busy doing something you like. Taking a break from technology or social media really helps too, doesn’t it? Sometimes I like to sit and read, definitely takes you away for a while.
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
These are some great tips. I found logging out of social media, even for a few hours stopped me from endlessly scrolling so I could concentrate on other things.
Some great tips here! I’ve also turned off all social media notifications and that has definitely helped. I tried to start running but it ended up being road running and I just really didn’t like it – there’s a small park near me but there’s too many bottle necks at the moment. Need to increase that again. The last one is possibly the most important – just giving yourself a break. Great post as always, honey.
This is such a great post. Looking out for your mental health is very important, especially during this stressful time! I always think working out helps my mental health too!
These are some great tips, talking about mental health is so important! Especially now during lockdown.
Love this! I’ve been loving the beautiful weather we’ve been having as I always find sitting in my garden with a book does wonders for my mental health. It’s my favourite way to spend my free time.
Lauren | https://www.laurenyloves.co.uk/
Love this post, Amie, taking a break is so important, it’s an essential part of my self-care too! X
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Learning something new works always for me. Great tips, thanks for sharing!
Love this! Social media has definitely been a huge trigger for me recently and putting time limits on my apps as well as leaving negative groups I was a part of has definitely helped! Still been a long way to go but would definitely recommend it to anyone finding everything on social media so negative at the moment.
Thank you for sharing!
Jess x || http://www.secretdiaryofjess.com
I loved this post and added a few tips to my wellness toolkit!😉
You’ve made some really important points here. We definitely need to take time to keep our mental health, well, healthy! I’ve noticed a massive change in how I feel now that I’m dedicating time to working out more. I have a lot more energy and feel in a much better headspace. I also started a bullet journal a couple of weeks ago and I’m really enjoying that. I’m not artistic, so don’t have the Instagram worthy pages that some people have, but it’s a great way for me to stay organised and get my thoughts on paper. I’m definitely going to keep it up. I’ve never tried meditation but so many people talk about how beneficial it’s been for them. So it’s something I’m considering trying.
Great post! I’ve been exercising a lot recently and I have been learning Spanish on Duolingo!
Running/Walks have been a really big deal for my mental health during lock down. Not because it’s just exercise but because it’s some time out of the house on my own to work on me. Listen to some great songs, catch up on an audiobook or podcast and just be alone for 30 minutes. Would highly recommend and it’s free!
These are some really great tips. Working out helps me with my mental health too.
Amazing post with awesome suggestions. We all need to make time for ourselves and these are good ways of doing it.