10 ways to Manage your Mental Health this Year

I wrote a blog post highlighting the importance of creating a wellness space for yourself this new year. Last year had our mental health on the ropes but this year that doesn’t have to be the case. Investing in your mental health is wealth, and it’s important to have daily mental check-ins with yourself to see you are feeling and coping with your new normal. Speaking up about how you feel is crucial, did you know that bottling up your feelings can manifest physically?

Read: Create a wellness space for you this year

Looking after your mental health will look differently for everybody this year. It’s important to know what’s best for you. Sometimes, people do not know where to start so here are a few ideas.

Move your body

Although gyms are closed, there are great work out apps that can support your physical health that will be beneficial for your mental health. Moving your body allows you to sharpen your memory and thinking, increases your mood, boost your energy, and gives you better sleep. We often store our emotions in our body, connecting and grounding ourselves can a way to support your mental health.

Journal

Journaling will always be my go-to recommendation for expressing and releasing any heavy thoughts and feelings. Journaling allows you to get out of your head. There’s no wrong or right way to journal, just pop some words down. You’ll thank me later.

Feel your feelings

Bottling up your feelings can cause more harm than good. Feelings are essentially messages, it gives you insight into your internal world.

Start a new hobby

Hobbies are activities that give you the opportunity to carve out time for yourself. The world is already filled with day to day stresses, so why not declutter your mind by discovering a new hobby? Here are 5 hobbies to get you started.

Find a therapist and start therapy

I will admit that going to therapy is a luxury. A lot of people cannot afford to pay for therapy out of pocket despite it being a necessity in life. For those who cannot pay out of pocket, IAPT therapies on the NHS provide free talking therapies. For those who do have the means to start therapy, therapy can be a place of self-discovery. You do not have to hit rock bottom in order to access therapy.

Have a social media break

Whilst social media has been a blessing during this pandemic and a way to connect with other people, it can also become quite draining. Consuming content day in and day out can be overwhelming, and in order to combat that overwhelm, try to take scheduled social media breaks. Give your mind time to rejuvenate itself.

Cut down on how often you watch the news

During the first wave of the pandemic, I was very much tuned into the news, and after a while, it started to get me down. Now it’s great to be informed, but the news is often filled with negative content and dampens your energy and mood.

Connect with nature

The environment we live in can play an important role when it comes to our wellbeing. Being outdoors can reduce stress and improve your mood. It’s especially important for those who work from home to have a change of scenery and get some fresh air.

Dress up and look good for yourself

Occasionally, dress up and look good going nowhere!

Connect with loved ones

Meeting up with people during the pandemic has been somewhat difficult, but there are virtual ways to connect with your loved ones. You can do this by scheduling meetings on zoom and remember that for those who live alone, you are allowed to have a support bubble (of 1 person) with someone who does not live in the same household as you.