Our daily lives are busy – it seems there’s always another metaphorical fire to put out. While it’s easy to feel helpless in the face of everyday stress, there are a number of healthy strategies you can employ to help keep your head above water. Here are four to try:
Prioritize a Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep is one of the most important – and most neglected aspects – of mental health. If you aren’t getting enough rest each night, you’ll wake up grouchy, resentful, and frustrated. The rest of day won’t get any easier, either. If you’re really hoping to level up your mental wellness, plan to get at least eight hours of sleep in a cool, dark room where you’ll be undisturbed.
Get Moving
Our bodies were made to move. It’s easy to forget that in our increasingly sedentary society. Movement is how we naturally regulate feelings of anxiety and stress. If you’re simply moving from bed to your desk to the couch, your body has no way to work through difficult emotions. It’s great if you can find a form of exercise that sparks joy, but any movement will do. Whether you park a little further from the grocery store entrance, take the stairs at work, or dance around the kitchen while making dinner, movement is crucial to mental wellbeing.
Seek Connection
Humans are uniquely social beings. We often neglect our relationships when we’re busy, but interacting with friends and family can help us through hard times. Consider first: who do you enjoy being around? What can you do to make those interactions happen more frequently? By prioritizing date night with your spouse or Zoom calls with your long-distance best friend, you’re prioritizing your own mental health.
Learn to Relax
Stress can wreak havoc on the body and mind. Actively working to relax can help undo some of the damage caused by stressful days. Relaxation techniques like meditation can do wonders to ease your breathing and take you out of fight-or-flight mode. Meditation is hardly the only form of relaxation, though. Whether you enjoy a book and a bubble bath or a little escapism at the movies, make relaxation a priority.
When Healthy Habits Aren’t Enough
If you’re practicing the aforementioned healthy habits but still find yourself struggling to cope with daily stress, therapy can help. Most people can benefit from at least a session or two – therapy helps you see your problems from a new perspective and sheds light on how your emotions may be impacting your daily life. Schedule your appointment now.
