by contributing writer Roger V Schmitt of Enneathinggoes
Mental health is a broad topic encompassing a variety of conditions, treatments, and personalized techniques for improvement. An important part of nurturing your mental health is finding unconventional ways to improve it. Consider these eight unique tips to help you work on mental wellness.
1. Telehealth Psychotherapy
You no longer have to have an in-person appointment to speak with a mental health expert. With Five Star Human, you can simply schedule a telehealth appointment with a psychotherapist and get the help you need from the comfort of your home. With their help, you can find mental clarity and the courage to live your life authentically.
2. Volunteer in Your Spare Time
Volunteering is a great way to feel good about yourself. Start by looking into local organizations that could use your help. It could be a food bank or an after-school program for kids who need tutors. Assess what you’re good at and how you can contribute.
3. Practice Mindfulness
Learning to live in the moment is a great way to reduce your stress. You will start to accept yourself and pay attention to the world around you rather than worrying about the future. One way to start this practice is to focus on your breathing and meditate daily.
4. Return to School
When you think about the elements of your life that produce the most stress, is work at the top of the list? Think about making a career change. You can pave the way for success in that career by getting an online degree while you work. For example, if you are interested in helping others, you could earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. That’s a great avenue for giving back to others. Make sure you choose a program from an accredited university.
5. Start a Nonprofit Organization
Research shows that helping others even a small act of kindness can have a significant effect on your overall well-being. Consider starting a nonprofit to give back to your community. You can apply for grants and other funding through the government, and all you need to get started is a cohesive set of bylaws, including how you plan to operate the business and board meetings as well as your rules on conflicts of interest and voting.
6. Express Your Appreciation
Take the time to think of the things you appreciate about your life. You can even write them down in a gratitude journal. A great way to start is to wake up every morning and think of three things you are grateful for in your life.
7. Practice Being Positive
Being a positive thinker is a learned skill. You have to actively train your mind to change negative thoughts into positive ones when you face an obstacle. Start by doing this daily with small inconveniences.
8. Give Up Perfectionism
No one is perfect. However, most people strive for perfection in one or more areas of their lives. This can be beneficial and bring you success, but it can also cause stress. Learn to accept that life cannot always be perfect, but you can still keep a positive attitude.
Now that you have some effective tactics to help you improve your mental health, remember that you are a work in progress. Sometimes you need to change up the strategy and use a variety of these methods to get results whether you’re volunteering, going back to school, or practicing mindfulness. Some days, you just need mental rest. Either way, self-care is always the means to your mental health goals.
“Reality is a sound, you have to tune in to it, not just keep yelling.” – Anne Carson, “Autobiography of Red”
Find many more Resources for Self-Help here; including books, free online videos and websites that offer wisdom, inspiration and direction on your journey back to wholeness.