At Scentered we know how important mental health is, which is why we have created the ultimate list of 5 ways to improve your mental health, work on your anxiety and become more positive. Keep reading to find out how you can make a start today...
1. Digital detox
Take a moment and think about the technology you use, and how often you use it. I can bet you it’s more than you think it is! From our mobile phones, to tablets, laptops, computers, GPS, Google Home, house phones, TV’s and iPods, our technology is in every corner of our lives. Before we’ve even gotten out of bed we are probably all guilty of scrolling through our phones or checking work emails. Before technology was a dominant part of everyday life, when you left work for the day, you left work. Today, we have access to everything at the touch of a button and it can be damaging to our mental health. This can result in feeling overwhelmed with this “always on” lifestyle. If this all sounds familiar it could be time for a digital detox. Read our blog 5 Ways a Digital Detox Can Benefit Your Wellbeing to find out how you can start today.
2. Take time out for yourself
Being selfish is often thrown around as an insult and something we try to avoid being known for. But the crux of being selfish is putting your own needs and wants first, something we at Scentered believe is an important ritual for improving and maintaining a positive mental health. With work life being a constant demand on our attention and energy, and family life taking up much of our free time there is little time left for ourselves. Things that we want to do such as taking a long bath, visiting that new coffee shop you’ve heard about or catching up on a book is pushed to the bottom of the list. This can result in feeling grumpy, overwhelmed and stressed. Read our blog on How To Be More Selfish to help you take the first steps to being more selfish today. This will improve your mental health, work on your anxiety and leave you feeling more positive than ever. Being in a more positive mindset will not only benefit you, but everyone around you. So being selfish… is kind of selfless.
3. Learn to say no
Do you find yourself struggling to say no? Do you end up agreeing to working later than you’d like, saying yes to an event you wouldn’t enjoy and replying to emails after you’ve clocked out? It could be that you need to set some boundaries and say no every now and again. Saying no can allow you to have a more positive work-life balance and make yourself a priority again. Start small and set your emails to ‘out of office’ when you clock out, or say no to working on the weekends. Setting these boundaries will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and uncomfortable when they are inevitably crossed. You can read our blog How to Set Boundaries and Why for more.
4. Breathing techniques
Find somewhere quiet and comfortable, put your hand on your chest and take a deep breath in… and out… think about how your clothes feel against your skin? What is the furthest sound you can hear? What does your heartbeat feel like?
Deep breathing is a positive and calming way of working through periods of anxiety or stress. You can practice these breathing techniques when you wake up in the morning as a way of starting your day, or whenever you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious throughout the day. Taking the time to listen to your body and concentrate on your breathing will give you the space to quieten your mind and slow your heart rate. Even if you practice deep breathing for just 5 minutes, you will emerge feeling clearer and ready to continue your day. Read our blog on the benefits of deep breathing here.