Morning Mental Health: 3 Habits That Help
By Genevieve Cunningham
The best time to improve your mental health is right now. We all struggle with mental health from time to time -- of course, to widely varying degrees. But feeling down or overwhelmed is a part of life. It's going to happen. The key to keeping yourself mentally well is to reach out for professional help when you need it and to stay on top of healthy habits on a daily basis. And one of the best places to begin is with your morning routine. If you'd like to start each day off on a mentally sound note, take a look at these three morning tips that can help.
Get Some Peace and Quiet
If you wake up in a rush to a bunch of chaos, you're going to feel overwhelmed right off the bat. And this is really bad for your mental wellness for the rest of your day. When you wake up in the morning, try to get a few minutes of peace and quiet. This might mean waking up just a few minutes before everyone else. But it will give your brain and body a chance to wake up without the demands of the day. Give this a try, and you might be surprised at the huge difference it makes in your whole day.
Get Some Natural Light
Natural light -- meaning the sun -- is good for both body and mind. When we (safely!) get in the sun, we soak in some much needed Vitamin D. This is good for our bones, skin, and our moods. Walk outside in the morning and breathe in a little fresh air. Feel the sun on your skin. This is a great way to start your day, and can start a positive domino effect of better health in your body and mind.
Stay Away From Your Phone
We're addicted to our phones. And because of this addiction, we often reach for the phone first thing. But this is not good for our mental health! We either read the news which is full of gloom and doom, or we scroll through social media where we compare ourselves to everyone else. Instead, save the phone for later. Instead, pick up a journal and write or pick up a book and read. Staying away from your phone or favorite device in the morning is a great way to boost mental health in a tiny but significant way.
Mental health is absolutely one of the most important parts of our lives. When we ignore mental health needs, our whole life suffers. And luckily, improving your mental health can be as easy as a few good morning habits. Use these tips to improve your mornings, and you'll improve your whole day and your mental health at the same time.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Nashville, Tenn.