Mental health is foundational for all other aspects of your health. You may keep physically active at your job or get regular exercise for your heart. You may eat well and try to make good, wholesome decisions for your body. But are you giving your emotional health the same attention and care it deserves? Taking care of our mental health has become as crucial as maintaining physical health. Yet, it often falls by the wayside.
Incorporating simple, effective daily mental health practices can significantly impact your overall well-being, leading to a happier, more fulfilling life. Today, we’re sharing easy self care tips to practice better mental health and wellness that you can do each day.
We will explore easy-to-implement strategies for prioritizing your mental health, such as choosing the right coping skills, managing your sleep routine, surrounding yourself with positivity, finding a support system, and understanding the role of CBD in mental wellness. Whether you’re looking for ways to get more positivity into your days or seeking recommendations for when your mental health is in trouble, we’ve got you covered.
The Importance of Good Mental Health
Though there are factors of our mental health we cannot control, such as traumas, family history, and genetics, we can adopt a positive mental health practice to help care for our minds and our emotional health and well-being. Mental health influences every aspect of our lives – how we think, feel, and act. It affects our ability to manage everyday stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Your mental health affects every single aspect of your life:
- Relationships and social interactions
- Career and job performance
- Your physical health
- Your overall quality of life
When your mental health suffers, you may find yourself overeating or undereating, oversleeping or not being able to sleep well at all, pulling away from people you love, or isolating yourself from your own life. You may find yourself feeling like each day is a struggle. Conversely, poor mental health can lead to significant challenges, underscoring the importance of daily mental wellness practices.
Prioritizing your mental health and caring for it as you would any other aspect of your health could help set you up for a happier and healthier life. Good mental health can lead to improved job performance, stronger relationships, better physical health, and an enhanced quality of life. Put your mental health at the top of your priority list today with these tips for maintaining a good daily mental health practice to keep yourself mentally strong, fit, and well.
Honing in Your Coping Skills
Coping skills are life skills, and it’s never too late to learn what helps you and what does not. Your coping mechanisms – ways you try to calm yourself or improve your mood – are instrumental for practicing better mental health every day. Negative or destructive coping skills, such as drug use, smoking, drinking, or self-harm, can be counterproductive, harming your mental health and perpetuating self-destructive behaviors.
Identifying and employing effective coping mechanisms can transform your daily experience. Here are some great coping skills to integrate into your mental wellness plan:
- Emotion-Based Coping: Engaging in self-care routines, meditation, or hobbies can help manage everyday stress levels.
- Problem-Based Coping: This involves taking steps to remove everyday stressors from your life, such as setting boundaries or decluttering your space.
- Mindfulness and Journaling: These practices help anchor you in the present moment, providing a break from worrying about the past or future.
- Spending Time with Loved Ones: Supportive friends and family can strengthen your support network, enhancing your well-being.
- Making Time for Fun: Dedicate about 30 minutes each day to a fun or relaxing activity you enjoy to help re-center and rest your mind from daily stresses.
- Spend Time Outdoors: A little time each day outdoors in fresh air, sunshine, and open green spaces can renew your spirit and promote calmness. Regular exercise can also strengthen your body and release feel-good hormones that boost your day.
Try This for Better Coping Skills
Take stock of your current coping skills. Ask yourself how each is helping or harming your mental health. Consider learning new skills or trying healthy techniques for managing everyday stress and maintaining your mental wellness. Maybe it’s time to take up a new hobby that also doubles as a coping mechanism! And if you need help with calm, try a calming CBD product during stressful moments of your day for a quick, calming wellness boost.
Establishing Healthy Sleeping Habits
Sleep is crucial to your mental wellness, yet many people report not getting enough rest. One of the most kind and caring things you can do for your body and mind is to ensure you get the sleep you need. If you’ve never really been a good sleeper or have negative ideas about sleep, it’s time to clear away that negativity and prioritize your nightly sleep schedule.
Sleep and mental health are closely connected. Lack of sleep can exacerbate things like everyday stress, mood, and irritability, while a good night's sleep can enhance well-being. To improve your sleep, establish a consistent bedtime routine, reduce screen time before bed, and create a comfortable sleep environment. Prioritizing sleep is a fundamental step in caring for your mental health.
By making sleep a priority, you can significantly improve your overall mental health and well-being. Establishing healthy sleeping habits is an essential investment in your daily mental wellness.
Try This for Better Sleep
Reflect on any negative ideas you were taught about sleep – such as the notion that it’s "lazy" or a "waste of time." Write these down, and then list reasons why these are misconceptions and why sleep is vital for your mind, body, and spirit. Choose today to give your body the gift of good sleep. Write down your commitment to creating a better routine for getting ample rest, and start working toward regular and healthy sleep habits.
If you’re having trouble sleeping or winding down for the night, consider speaking with your doctor. Additionally, you might try CBD products designed for relaxation to help you get better sleep and wake up feeling more refreshed.
Surrounding Yourself with Positivity
Positivity is a practice and a conscious decision. You can create a more positive environment for yourself by using healthy coping skills, setting boundaries to keep yourself emotionally well, and intentionally creating positive moments throughout your day. This means having a little fun, taking breaks when you need to mentally recharge, and speaking kindly to yourself.
The environments we create at home and work can significantly impact our mental health. Creating spaces that inspire positivity can help reduce everyday stress and improve your mood. This might include personalizing your workspace, engaging in positive affirmations, or ensuring your living space is tidy and comforting.
Try This for Better Positivity
Create a list of positive mantras that speak directly to your biggest insecurities. Write them on notecards or sticky notes and place them where you’ll see them – on the bathroom mirror, in your bag, next to your bed, or on the dashboard of your car. Reading these affirmations throughout your day can provide a much-needed pick-me-up and help you focus on the positive aspects of your life.
Speaking kindly and positively to yourself can shift your focus towards what you can accomplish and promote forward movement rather than rumination, worry, or crippling self-doubt. Begin your day by writing down three things for which you are grateful. This practice can help set a positive tone for the rest of your day.
To further enhance your positive environment, you might incorporate CBD. Consider using a CBD product, such as a relaxing tincture, uplifting gummy, or elevating gummy to help maintain a sense of calm and positivity, aiding in your overall mental wellness journey.
Related: How To Be Happy Again: Some Common (And Not So Common) Methods
Asking for Help When You Need It
Having a strong support system, whether through community, personal relationships, or professional help, is vital for maintaining mental health. It’s important to overcome the stigma associated with seeking help and to remember that asking for and receiving support is a sign of strength. Many resources are available, including therapists, counselors, support groups, and hotlines.
Learning how to practice better mental health may require a trip to your doctor, especially if your mental wellness is suffering. Discuss your family history of mental illness and talk about your current and past mental health concerns. Your doctor may offer some screening questions or refer you to a therapist for further evaluation. This proactive approach to your mental health does not signify something terrible; it simply means you are taking steps to ensure your well-being.
Here are some mental health warning signs to watch out for:
- Changes in diet, behaviors, emotional stability, or sleep patterns lasting more than a few days or weeks
- Struggling with emotional trauma
- Experiencing behaviors or feelings that don’t make sense to you
- Feeling like your life is out of control
- Having irrational, uncontrollable, or destructive thoughts, including suicidal thoughts
Surround yourself with supportive individuals, whether through community or personal relationships, and don't hesitate to reach out for professional assistance when needed.
For Immediate Mental Health Help
Remember, seeking help is a courageous and crucial step towards better mental health. If you need immediate mental health support, there are free, confidential resources available to you if needed
- Talk to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or starting a live chat online
- Text "HOME" to 741741 or live chat online with a trained crisis counselor through Crisis Text Line
The Role of CBD in Mental Health
CBD, or cannabidiol, has emerged as a potential tool in managing certain aspects of mental health, such as everyday stress and mood. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a key role in regulating mood, stress responses, and overall mental well-being, potentially promoting balance and enhancing mental health. CBD products come in various forms, including gummies, tinctures, and capsules, making it easy to incorporate into your daily routine:
- Gummies: These are convenient and discreet, offering a tasty way to consume CBD. They can help manage everyday stress and promote relaxation.
- Tinctures: These provide a quick and effective method of taking CBD. Placing a few drops under the tongue allows for quick absorption, making it useful for faster relief for mental health.
- Capsules: These offer a consistent dosage and are easy to incorporate into your daily supplement regimen. They are ideal for those who prefer a straightforward method of consumption.
In addition to CBD, other cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, THCV, and Delta-9 THC can also play a role in helping improve mental health:
- CBG: Known as the "mother of all cannabinoids," CBG may help support mood regulation.
- CBN: Often used for enhanced relaxation, CBN may help improve sleep quality and duration.
- THCV: This cannabinoid might help in managing everyday stress.
- Delta-9 THC: Delta-9 THC can help reduce everyday stress and improve mood.
Integrating CBD and other cannabinoids into your mental health regimen can be a valuable tool for enhancing well-being. Daily consumption is the recommended approach for the most consistent and effective results. While research is ongoing, many find CBD to be a beneficial addition to their mental wellness routine. Consulting with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, including CBD, is crucial to ensure safety and efficacy while addressing your individual needs.
Prioritizing Your Mental Health Every Day
Taking steps to improve your mental health daily can lead to significant benefits across all areas of your life. By understanding and implementing coping skills, prioritizing sleep, surrounding yourself with positivity, seeking help when needed, and considering the role of supplements like CBD, you can build a foundation for lasting mental wellness. Start incorporating these tips into your routine and notice the positive changes in your mindset and overall happiness. Remember, your mental health is worth the time and effort – every day.
Learning how to practice better mental health is something you can prioritize each day of your life. For more information on strategies for achieving better mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month, keep an eye on our frequently updated blog. We’d love to hear how you prioritize your mental health every day. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and share your insights!