With the hustle and bustle of modern life and all the responsibilities we have to learn to balance, it’s not surprising that we can become stressed and overwhelmed at times. If you’re searching for ways to help reduce your stress levels and improve your mental wellbeing, then take a look at the following guide. We’ve listed some simple ways to make changes to your life that will benefit your mental health.
Spend More Time With Family And Friends
If you feel like work or other commitments are taking over your life and impacting the quality time you get to spend with loved ones, then consider ways for you to be able to take a step back. Having time to go on day trips or even relax in the evenings with your family and friends is important to your mental health. We aren’t designed to just work all the time. We need the opportunity to wind down and experience the things we truly find fulfilling outside of our jobs. Lack of socialization and quality time with family and friends has been linked to greater risks of developing depression, anxiety, and stress. So, it’s important to prioritize as much as work.
Have Stricter Boundaries With Work And Home Life
To have more free time to spend how you wish, it’s necessary that you establish boundaries with your job. These are for both your colleagues, your boss, and yourself. It’s easy to get carried away and work extra hours when you’re trying to meet deadlines or work on a big project, and while it might be OK to do this from time to time, it shouldn’t become a habit. Working a few extra hours over a week can quickly snowball and detrimental affect other areas of your life. When you get home, make sure to switch off from your work mindset and relax. Try not to answer work calls or emails in your own time too often, and make it clear that that time is your own.
Practice Self Care Frequently
When you’re a busy working individual or parent, it can be easy to overlook the importance of self-care. Other responsibilities take over, and your own needs often get pushed to the bottom of the list. Try and consciously focus on making more time to do the things you need and enjoy. This can take any form, such as:
- A long, relaxing bath
- Reading books, you haven’t got around to
- Going for a walk
- Sports and other hobbies
- Going to get your nails or hair done
- Meditation and yoga
CBD Products
If you’re finding it hard to relax, it’s worth looking into CBD products. The properties found in CBD are believed to reduce stress, anxiety, and promote calmness. You can use it at any time of the day or help prepare for a particularly stressful situation. It is also believed to aid sleep for those who suffer from insomnia. CBD is available in oil, balms, gummies, and food. You can either choose from products containing pure CBD or those with both CBD and very low levels of THC (the cannabinoid responsible for giving a high), known as full-spectrum CBD oil.
Include More Vitamins And Minerals In Your Diet
If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it can make your mental health worse. Many medical sources indicate that adding a few different foods into your diet and paying attention to the vitamins and minerals entering your body can help to boost your mental health. It can be surprising how the food we eat is linked to our emotional wellbeing, as the focus is usually always on the physical benefits of a good diet. Although specific foods can provide certain important vitamins and minerals for good mental health, generally, you should try and make sure your diet is varied across different food groups. Try and cut out processed food as much as possible and include high levels of fresh produce, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and protein.
Switch Off from Technology
We are exposed to so much technology and screen time in modern life, but it’s important to try and find time away from phones, laptops, and TV screens if possible. Spending too much time with technology stops us from truly engaging with those around us, can lead to negative comparisons on social media, and stops us from getting outside. All of these things can have a hugely damaging effect on our mental health. Although it’s near impossible to live without modern technology, try and cut down on the time you spend staring at screens and think of other healthy habits to form, whether that’s exercising or spending more time with your loved ones to reduce stress.
Featured Photo by Patricia Prudente on Unsplash
