2020 has been a tough year so far. Covid’ 19 has led to many fatalities and widespread negativity. Lakhs of people have been affected, many have died and a lot of people have felt its impact in their lives. We’ve lost great personalities and the actor Sushant Singh Rajput also succumbed to a case of suicide. Lockdowns and social distancing have created a sense of restlessness and angst and mental health has been the first casualty in all this.
While seemingly inoccuos, mental health issues have been on the rise in the past months. Below are a few ways in which you can take care of your mental health everyday.
Express and Talk
While people find themselves increasingly anxious and troubled, talking to another and letting go of negative emotions is a great way to alleviate sadness. There are always people who listen and share, improve your thoughts and make you feel better. Call up, use video calling facilities, text. Find a way to express.
Work on your Physical Health
Ensure that you are doing something physical. Play a sport, work out, exercise- physical exertion is very healthy. Don’t you end up feeling very positive and very fresh once you have a work out session? Self worth can definitely be significantly enhanced post a good long physical exercise session. Supplement a good work out session with good food and good sleep.
Healthy Food
Try to keep a good strong diet that goes with your everyday routine. Dont skip meals and adopt miss out on all the essential nutrients advised by your dietician or one that compliments your current health status. Remember mental health is closely linked to how well you eat and how well you take care of your physical health
Stay Hydrated
Drink a lot of fluids and stay hydrated. Have anywhere between 3-5 litres of water everyday if you can. This keeps your mind fresh. Having less water can result in headaches and a general feeling of laziness and unhappiness. Also, drink other fluids such as fresh juices, coconut water in line with your diet.
Do something physical at home
It is always a good idea to keep busy in some generic household activity/chore. Like cooking, cleaning, washing utensils, knitting and the likes. You might have an army of domestic help workers working round the clock but this something that you must do for yourself. Get your hands moving and you will definitely feel a sense of accomplishment after a hard hour’s work. Note- feeling a small sense of accomplishment is pivotal to good long term mental health.
Find time for something you are good at (or you really enjoy)
Pursuing an activity you really like is important. If you have kid(s), do try your best to encourage an activity that they really like. Could be a sport, could be drawing, could be anything that brings a smile to their faces. Not everything you do is about building your career. Give a chance to all the things that you always wanted to do.
Rejuvenate with Nature
While you spend the whole day toiling at your job or work, you might want to take out an hour every now and then and take a walk. Rejuvenate with nature and take in the wonderful, fresh air that the environment has to offer. A nearby park or a place full of trees or the beach whatever is near your residence, they all work.
Don’t overcommit to people or things.
Do your normal bit everyday to all the things that you plan or have you mind set on. Avoid overcommitting to people or things or tasks. Do your normal bit and let the rest be. Don’t try to control the outcome. Draw the line when you feel you are over-stretching yourself. Maintain a sense of balance.
We hope you can inculcate some of these tips in your day to day life. All the best to you and godspeed.