Mental health has definitely become even more important over the last year. With the pandemic, I feel like we have all been talking more and more abut taking care of ourselves, making sure we are taking care of each other, and just being kinder. The pandemic isn’t going anywhere right now, we are still right in the middle of it, so finding ways to take care of your mental health is incredibly important.
So what are the 7 ways I’m focusing on mental health this year?
01. Talk about your feelings
It can be so cathartic to speak about your feelings, but sometimes it can also be important to talk things through with a therapist. I think we all really need to normalise going to therapy. Sometimes talking it through with someone who is independent, not part of your daily life, and is qualified, can really help. I’ve been to therapy many times, and I feel like it really helps me to process what I’m feeling, work through everything that has happened. If you don’t feel like speaking to a therapist, find someone you’re comfortable talking to, and express those feelings.
02. Working out regularly
I work out because it works wonders for my mental health, I feel better, I feel confident, I sleep better, I relax more, and I feel like I can genuinely take on the world when I have a regular workout routine in place. I like to do a lot of yoga, but I’m also a massive sucker for cycling. I have a cross trainer at home, and I feel like I can take on the world when I workout.
03. Reaching out to loved ones
This is probably something I’m the worst at because I always forget to reply, my phone will shut down, I’ll forget about the notification, and then it just sits there. I’m the worst for this. Communication, especially during a pandemic is incredibly important, because we aren’t seeing each other at the moment, we’re not able to run up and give each other a hug, so finding new ways to communicate with each other is important. Whether this is through video calls, text messages or just a regular telephone call, reaching out is very important.
04. Remember it is okay to ask for help
There is no shame in asking for help. We are human, we’re not robots, we have feelings, and sometimes it becomes too overwhelming. I wrote a post not so long ago and asking for help and why it is so important. We all need a support system and asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength.
05. Take a break
We all need one, and I actually took a long break from blogging recently, because I really needed it. I have now come back refreshed, ready to create content, and I have a much clearer perspective on where I want o go with my content in 2021. I may stumble in terms of what I want to create, but I definitely feel like regular breaks are necessary. If you’re like me and struggle to take a break, my 5 tips on taking a break.
06. Find an outlet
I’ve been finding quite a few new hobbies, but lately I’ve been working really hard on my calligraphy. I started it last year and really enjoyed it and got quite good at it, but the stopped. I’m determined to keep going this time, because I’ve got my Passion Planner for this year, and even though last years planner was completely unnecessary, I’m determined to make the most of this one. I’ve also been reading a lot of books lately, I’ll have a new post about what I’ve been reading in a couple of weeks, but here you can find all my latest book lists.
07. Find a coping strategy for bad days
Bad days will always happen, some days will be amazing, some days it can be hard just to get out of bed, but it is incredibly important to have strategies in place so you can cope better with those days. On bad days I tend to find things that I can immerse myself in, if it is a day when I’m working, I’ll find things that will keep me busy and stop me from overthinking everything. If I’m at home, I’ll do some mindfulness exercises put some music on my Alexa, I’ll practice some self care too and write down a list of things I’m grateful for.
We all have different ways to deal with mental health, but it is important to find ways that work for you. If you need some ideas for self care, I have 70 self care ideas to help mental health.
Let me know your comments your coping mechanisms!
Like what you’ve read? How about we become social media friends?
Twitter ● Instagram ● Tumblr ● Pinterest ● Blog Lovin’ ● Facebook
Thanks for sharing! Definitely need these tips right now!
Thanks for sharing! Definitely one of the things that helps me the most is working out aevery day, and doing yoga, and telling myself when I’m having a bad day that it will pass. Have a good day! ♥
Love this – I have found that journalling really helps me with my mental help, so I am trying to focus on it more in 2021.
Jenna ♥
Stay in touch? Life of an Earth Muffin
Exercising definitely does my mental health, doing a workout everyday keeps my mind active! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
This is such a great post! I’ve been toying with the idea of finding someone to speak to quite a lot over the past few weeks because my anxiety is so high, so it’s really helpful seeing it being brought up by someone else as well. I definitely need a coping strategy for bad days for sure! Great post!
I have to say, I need to remember how beneficial exercise is. I got up today and have done 2 workouts before having a really healthy breakfast and I feel amazing! And it is only 9.20am
This is great advice and a hugely important subject. Our Mental health has for most people taken a real hit in the last 12 months, we really need to look after ourselves and support those around us x
I love this post! It’s so important to focus on your mental health and I agree with you that working out does wonder for my mind and talking about my feelings too xx
These are such good tips, I definitely need to start following these. I am guilty of not talking to people when I feel down which I need to work on 🙂
Lauren / https://www.wooloftheking.com/
I really need this. With the online classes and the pandemic, I think it is important for me to take care of my mental health. Thanks for sharing.
These are some really great tips! I have a list of things I could do if I’m having a down day – reading is my fave atm xx
Good post and tips. Reading this post makes me feel calm. Thank you for sharing.
Great tips! I am one of those people that fell into the trap of feeling as though I always have to be productive. Relaxing and taking time for ‘me’ was always hard because I felt like I should be doing SOMETHING to work towards my goals at the time. Over time, my stress levels climbed and I was exhausted ALL the time. Having realized that it wasn’t actually helping me (it was impacting my productivity during my actual work hours too), I started to find time for more ‘fun’. We got out playing with the pups more, booked more camping trips and made time for things we enjoy like crafting, playing Sims 4, watching our favourite shows and playing Euchre online with my family. I am hoping to carry this change into 2021 and continue to build on it.
This is brilliant advice! I’m pinning this for later. The coping strategy is something we should have done on day one of lockdown, but I’m thankful we have found things that work. Working out and staying in touch with friends is definitely on my agenda this year, I made a resolution of calling my bffs once a week at least.
I hope 2021 will be a joyful year for you 🙂
Conversations about mental health are so important, so thanks for sharing! I’m a huge advocate of therapy as well. I think it’s so helpful to have an outside perspective on my life and someone that I can be sure will keep things confidential. A couple of years ago I needed to find a new outlet for helping me cope with life and I started refinishing furniture. It was amazing how great I felt being able to transform something old and ugly into something new and beautiful. And using power tools was a fun side benefit too 🙂
A lovely post. for me I know working out can do wonders for my mental health but I really struggle to get into the habit or working out regularly especially if I end up missing a day or two then next thing I know it’s a month later and no idea why I stopped. I really need to start making more of an effort and trying out some of the other ways you suggested in this post.
These are all great tips! Exercising actually surprised how it can help me, I don’t do much but I try to do it every day and it helps me focus. Also, books are usually my outlets on bad days. Thanks for sharing this x
So many great tips in this post! My mental health was really struggling just before Christmas but I’m in a better place now. I’m taking more time for self care and being less hard on myself when something goes wrong!
Rosie
Great tips. Think it’s so important for us to focus on our mental health, especially after last year! x
I love these points, I think it’s very important to focus on your Mental Health and do anything necessary to feel great!
xoxo Olivia | http://www.oliviaandbeauty.com
Focusing on our mental health is so important- and more so in recent times 🙂 I love these ideas, I think finding an outlet has been one of the best things to help me- having my blog has meant that I can be creative and also keep busy during these tough times. Thank you for sharing x
Thanks for sharing, these tips, I do need some of these most of the time when I feel down about something 🙂
Such great tips. Self care is so important for mental health. I agree that it is so important to ask for help when needed!