Staying Engaged for Mental Health
Last week I talked about getting back to basics for natural mental health and I introduced the first step of my Mood Boosting Method: Nourish. Undoubtedly feeding your body and mind with the right fuel has a big role to play in achieving great mental health. But it is only part of the picture.
The second step in my Mood Boosting Method is Engage.
This is all about engaging in physical activity and hobbies. Doing the things you enjoy, that make you happy.
OK, so you are probably like, hang on a minute Rach – I can’t do most of the things I enjoy at the moment, and what makes me the happiest is being with my friends and family, and I’m not allowed to see them.
I hear you. I know it is tough at the moment. Many of us are feeling increasingly frustrated, lonely, stressed, tired and maybe even angry. Maybe you have found yourself crying more than usual and actually more disengaged than engaged!
Remember that achieving healthy mental wellbeing is not about feeling happy or elated all of the time. It is entirely normal to feel sad, low or anxious from time to time – even more so at the moment.
The important thing is acknowledging these feelings and taking extra steps to combat them. Here are my top tips for engaging for mental health in lockdown:
Get active. Gyms and pools may be closed but we can still find ways to exercise and stay active. There is scientific evidence that physical activity of all types can relieve stress, anxiety and depression. So, whether you are a runner, a weight lifter or a yogi – you can boost your mood by keeping active.
Get outdoors: Not only does walking fit the bill for getting active, getting outdoors in the fresh air is also beneficial in other ways. If you find yourself trapped in a negative thought spiral, getting up and going for a short walk just 15 minutes (7.5 minutes and 7.5 minutes back if you don’t have a natural loop), is sufficient to change your state and break the thought pattern. Try it and notice how different you feel. Walking in nature can also be a great way to gain perspective and appreciate the simple things in life. Did you know that when you listen to birds tweeting or the sounds of the waves if you live near the beach, or observe the changing colours of the leaves or watch the sun set, you are engaging in mindfulness? Mindfulness also has proven mental health benefits. There is so much that can be achieved from just going for a walk.
Get connected – call a friend, arrange a virtual family quiz night on Zoom. I attended my step-daughters’ baby shower by Zoom at the weekend – such a great idea! You may be physically distanced but you don’t have to be lonely or unsocial.
Reconnect with old hobbies – you’re always complaining that you don’t have enough time to read a book or finish painting the spare bedroom. That guitar is looking a bit dusty! Now could be the perfect time for that project you have always wanted to do. Completing projects / ticking off the to do list can give us a feeling of satisfaction and contentment. A bit like nesting.
Finally know when to disengage. Disengaging from activities that bring you down is just as important as engaging in activity that makes you feel good. If you know you are spending way too much time scrolling on social media or watching the news, this might be contributing to feelings of overwhelm which undoubtedly won’t be helping your mood. Set boundaries: Pick a time of day to watch the news / check your social media and stick to it. Find out what you need to know, or engage with your followers and then switch off. This can apply to any behaviour you are engaging in that is not serving you.
Here is a little insight into how I am staying engaged right now for my own mental health.
As always, I am here to help. If you want a chat about how you are feeling and how I might be able to help, book in for a free discovery call below.
And /or if you want to discover more lifestyle tips for improving your mood naturally, you can download my free eGuide here.