- +44 741 860 7369
- Authorized Resellers
- Outernative Affiliates
Health awareness is vital for every individual. Mental health is just as important as physical health, but unfortunately, it is often neglected. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. However, there are many things that you can do to improve your mental health and maintain your well-being. In this blog post, we will discuss 12 activities that are beneficial for mental health. We will also provide tips on incorporating these activities into your everyday life!
One of the most important things you can do for your mental health is to get plenty of Sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults should aim to get at least seven hours of Sleep per night. If you are struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, try implementing some of the following tips:
If you consistently get less than seven hours of Sleep per night, it could negatively impact your mental health. Consider talking to your doctor about strategies to improve your sleep quality.
Regular exercise can have a significant positive impact on your mental health. Research has shown that regular exercise is as effective in treating depression as antidepressants! If you are new to exercise, start walking for 30 minutes each day and gradually increase the length or intensity of your workouts. Don’t forget to take rest days so that you give your body time to recover from strenuous activities. You should also consult your doctor before starting any new fitness program, particularly if you have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
Try incorporating some of the following activities into your workout routine:
If you struggle to find time for exercise, consider setting aside a specific time each day when you will be active. For example, try walking during your lunch break at work or taking an after-dinner walk with your family. If possible, choose fun and engaging activities so they don’t feel like another chore on top of everything else in your life! Try to incorporate variety into your routine, as this can help keep things interesting.
Walking in nature is one of the most effective activities for improving mental health. Research shows that spending time outside can lessen your stress, anxiety, and depression!
Try to go for at least one hour every day or two if you want this activity to be beneficial. If possible, decide on an area with trees or plants (e.g., a park). It will help increase the benefits even more–it might seem counterintuitive, but being near living things helps us feel better about ourselves too!
If you live without much greenery nearby, try walking along a river instead. However, there aren’t any plants around here either. They still provide some calming effects because we also associate them with water’s soothing sound!
Note: Even if you’re not feeling stressed out right now, take advantage of this activity because it’s always good to have healthy habits before we need them most.
Breathing exercises are another activity that can help improve your mental health. They involve taking deep breaths from the belly and exhaling slowly, which helps to relax both mind and body alike!
This technique is also known as ‘diaphragmatic’ or abdominal breathing because it involves using our diaphragm rather than just chest muscles for air intake. So even though we’re not consciously thinking about this part of us when doing these types of exercises, there are physical and mental health benefits too.
To start with basic techniques such as square (equal ratio) counting on every inhale/exhale cycle time at around six seconds apiece, try beginning with three times per minute, then work up if necessary – but don’t go over twelve seconds!
There are plenty of other breathing exercises, so feel free to explore and find the one that works best for you.
Once you’ve got the hang of it, aim to do at least five minutes per day (or more if needed). You can do this anywhere–make sure you’re in a quiet place where no one will interrupt you!
If possible, set aside sometime each day for relaxation and meditation. It will help lessen stress levels, too–and it’s not just about feeling good either: research shows that regular practice improves concentration as well!
To have good mental health, you should also try outdoor activities like biking. Biking is another excellent way to get active and improve your mental health. It’s low-impact, so it’s a good option if you’re starting, and it also helps improve cardiovascular fitness.
Plus, being outdoors in nature (or even close by) while biking is a bonus for improving mood!
If you don’t have a bike or live somewhere without safe areas to bike, consider investing in one or looking into alternative transportation methods. Plenty of online resources can help with this, such as Google Maps, which now has biking directions built in.
When biking, it is essential to wear clothing gear like jackets that can protect you from wind, water, insects, dust, and accidents while doing your favorite outdoor activities. With this, I highly recommend Outernative Jack bag.
This jacket is made of high-quality material that is windproof and water-resistant. Jack bag is also breathable and hypoallergenic, which protects you from all types of weather. It has plenty of zippered pockets for all of your belongings. Plus, it features reflective material, so you can be seen while riding at night.
Furthermore, this hoodie easily transforms into a bag. You can use it to carry your belongings and travel without using your hands.
Petting a dog is one of the best activities for improving our mental health. It helps reduce stress and anxiety, increases happiness levels, enhances concentration abilities – even lowers blood pressure!
But if you don’t have access to any dogs right now, don’t worry–you can still benefit from petting them! Try visiting local shelters or rescues that offer free adoptions during their adoption events each month. Some cities also allow residents with disabilities (including those who suffer PTSD) to use public transportation such as buses without having their service animals on board; there are plenty of opportunities around town where your furry friend could come along too!
Note: If you’re adopting an older animal, it might take time for them to adjust, so be patient and give them plenty of love.
Aim to pet a dog for at least fifteen minutes per day (or more if possible). It can be done all at once or in smaller daily sessions.
You don’t need any special skills or qualifications for most volunteer positions. Still, it’s always good practice before you apply, so look up some information online about how volunteering works in your area (or a nearby one) first.
Note: If you’re adopting an older animal, it might take time for them to adjust, so be patient and give them plenty of love. Aim to pet a dog for at least fifteen minutes per day (or more if possible). It can be done all at once or in smaller daily sessions.
Yoga is a great way to improve your mental health. It helps relieve stress and anxiety, increases happiness, enhances concentration, and even lowers blood pressure!
If you’re new to yoga, consider starting with some basic poses, such as downward dog or child’s pose, before moving onto more advanced ones, like headstands or backbends (if these are available in your area). You can find yoga classes at most gyms, so check out what they offer first if possible; otherwise, try searching for local studios near you online too. You’ll need comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement without restricting airflow through the body during practice sessions, so make sure it’s not too tight-fitting!
Stress management, like painting, is a good activity for our mental health. If you’re new to painting, consider starting with basic exercises, such as sketching or doodling, before moving on to more advanced ones, like landscapes or portraits.
You can find painting classes at most art schools, so check out what they offer first if possible; otherwise, try searching for local studios near you online too. If needed, you’ll need essential supplies, including paints, brushes, canvases (or other surfaces), and an easel.
Aim to paint for at least thirty minutes per day and see how it goes. It will give you the most benefits overall.
It can be as simple as getting together at someone’s house for an afternoon each month or week and enjoying some hot drinks while chatting about life. If you’re feeling creative, you could even try making your coffee or tea blends, too (make sure everyone knows what they’re drinking first!).
Physical activities, like running, are also suitable for mental well-being. If you’re new to running, consider starting with basic exercises such as walking or jogging before moving on to more advanced ones like sprinting or long-distance Running.
Endorphins and serotonin are chemicals in your brain that improve your mood and are released when you work out and run. Regularly running at a moderate or vigorous intensity can help your mental health. Running also helps you remember things and learn new things. Running can help you feel less stressed, depressed, and anxious.
You can find running classes at most gyms, so check out what they offer first if possible; otherwise, try searching for local studios near you online too. You’ll need comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement without restricting airflow through the body during practice sessions, so make sure it’s not too tight-fitting!
Research showed that resistance exercise “significantly reduced depressive symptoms” among research participants. One exciting discovery was that participants’ moods improved regardless of whether they became physically stronger due to the activities.
Mental health is an issue for many people. The old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, it can be helpful to know how to identify and manage these symptoms before they take control over your life. The 12 activities listed here should help get you started on building better emotional health and regulation skills to enjoy more fulfilling days ahead. We hope this article has been insightful and offered some practical ways to improve your well-being!
Jackbag by Outernative is a hands-free on-the-go jacket and bag in one
© COPYRIGHT | OUTERNATIVE 2023
