New You: Outside-the-Box Ideas for Improving Mental Health
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New You: Outside-the-Box Ideas for Improving Mental Health
When it comes to mental health, no two people are the same. Though a new exercise regime can work for one person, it might not work for another, and when the conventional methods prove ineffective, you may need to get creative. Here are some novel ideas from James Hall at seniorcarefitness.com to help you banish negativity and change your mindset.
Forest Bathing
A recently popular trend, forest bathing involves immersing yourself in the outdoors either by hiking or meditating in an area dense with trees. The focus here is to interact with the forest using all your senses, focusing on the details of the journey rather than the destination. Pay close attention to birdsong, the feeling of the wind, and the smells of nature.
Cleaning and Decluttering
It can seem strange that clutter around the house can be a source of negative energy, but if you’ve felt off at home it may be the cause. Set about cleaning and decluttering your home, and smudge with sage if you feel the need. Place crystals around the house and you’ll have positive energy flowing through your hallways in no time.
Tai Chi
The ancient Chinese art of tai chi is an excellent way to strengthen the lower and upper extremities. It’s also a calm and focused way to get your body moving and release endorphins without straining yourself. If you live in a temperate area, you could even consider trying it outdoors in the park or on a rooftop.
Working from Home
If you have the opportunity to do so, working from home can be a major boon to your mental health. Not only will you be under less time stress by not having to commute, you also can better care for yourself throughout the day. You can use the time you save to prepare healthy meals, take a bike ride, or even catch up on much-needed sleep.
Music Therapy
Beyond its obvious appeals, music can be used to help an individual accomplish individualised goals such as reducing stress and improving mood and self-expression. As a process, it involves listening, singing, playing instruments, or composing music with the aim to improve mental health. For added benefit, pick a genre that uplifts you.
Life Drawing
For those who are artistically inclined, life drawing can prove an immensely powerful way to improve mental health as you zone out from your daily stressors to draw live models using pencils, charcoal, graphite, or other mediums. Find a class near you and enjoy music as you work.
Combat Sports
One of the more up-front ways to tackle your mental health is via combat sports. If you have anger issues or pent-up anxiety, pad work can prove immensely effective, and stepping into a ring can help you to shed feelings of fear (so long as you can find a safe and qualified center in which to practice).
Reconnecting With Friends
We all lose friends in the business of life and trying to find former high school classmates you lost touch with can prove difficult, but it’s possible to do so using specialised search engines. By specifying graduation areas, you can often pinpoint your old buddies.
Cinema Going
With cinemas opening back up, the age-old tradition of sitting in a movie theatre for a new release with other excited spectators can quickly relinquish you of negative thoughts and provide some much-needed escapism. Try to identify which genres evoke feelings of positivity and pick a film that suits.
Baking
What could be more uplifting than quality time spent in the kitchen and then eating whatever delicious new concoction you’ve just learned to bake? In reasonable quantities, chocolate can be good for your mental health, and the act of making your own food can also be therapeutic!
When it comes to mental health, it’s less important to do what’s right and more important to do what’s right for you. Take the time to learn about what makes you happy and don’t feel guilty about indulging or trying a different, more holistic approach!
The goal at Nia9 Jewellery is for our products to become more than meaningful gifts, tokens of affection that assist in ones healing process. If you have any questions, please let us know!