Simple self-care practices can go a long way in making sure your mental health stays at its best.

Here are 7 self-care practices to help get you started.

1. Exercise regularly

Exercise is known to promote the production of feel-good hormones in the body. Just putting in 30 minutes of physical exercise every day is enough to raise your spirits and improve your mood significantly. This can translate to improved self-esteem, and improved mental health. So, be sure to get your body moving regularly. Strive to get small amounts of physical exercise in throughout the day - walk to work, take the stairs or dance to your favourite song.

2. Keep a gratitude journal

With so much happening around you, it can be easy to focus on the negatives and miss the good things. Writing down what you are grateful for every day gives you the opportunity to appreciate the beauty around you. When you are grateful for what is in your life, you leave no room for wanting to have things that give you temporary pleasure. The moment you learn to appreciate and be thankful for what you have, you become content and in peace.

3. Drink lots of water

Water consumption has been shown to help with anxiety. This could be because it helps address the effects of dehydration on your body and brain, or simply by providing enough moisture for healthy cells in our bodies. Drinking plenty of water can make you feel more at ease. If you are worried about the quality of the water that you drink, keep in mind that a reverse osmosis water filter in your house can help to clean your water of all the bacteria. 

4. Get enough sleep

When you have had enough sleep, the following day becomes easy and smooth. You stay alert and focused, you are less irritable and you are in the best frame of mind to make decisions and be productive. Ensure that you get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. You can adjust your schedule so that you can get in bed early. Avoid blue light exposure from electronics an hour before bed and invest in quality beddings.

5. Set boundaries

Stretching yourself too thin  can be disastrous to your mental health. Set boundaries and teach yourself to say no to people especially when their demands feel uncomfortable or interfere with your personal time.

6. Stay connected

Sharing your feelings and thoughts is crucial in getting rid of stress. However busy life gets, make sure to stay in touch with friends and family. Additionally, learn not to keep things to yourself - the solution to a stressful situation in your life could be lying with your friends. If thoughts and feelings become overwhelming, professional help is recommended.

7. Take breaks

Your brain needs time to relax and recharge in order to work optimally. Don’t bury yourself in work for prolonged periods of time. Strive to take a few minutes breaks throughout the day. In addition, take time out from work to just focus on yourself.

Conclusion

Living a good quality life is what most of us strive and work for every single day. One of the ways you are going to achieve that is by taking care of your mental health. Don’t wait until you have to really do it. Take deliberate steps every day to ensure that your mind stays healthy. Hopefully, the above practices get you thinking on where to start with your self-care routine for your mental health.

This article is kindly written and contributed by Dea Styles.