We get it—life gets crazy. We too get wrapped up in the frenzied day to day, often forgetting to take the time to take care of ourselves—but mental health is key to our well-being. Whether it’s 5 minutes, or an hour, it’s important to have a routine that: reduces stress, increases energy, promotes mindfulness, and encourages inner happiness.
Here are some activities you can do at home, work, the park, or wherever your heart desires to take care of your mental health:
1. Deep Breathing: Get into a comfortable position and close your eyes. Inhale through your nose for a count of four, holding for a count of four, and exhaling through your mouth for a count of six. With every count, focus on each moment—slowly releasing stress.
Just because life goes by a mile a minute, doesn’t mean we have to. Use this activity to slow down and embrace every second.
2. Stretching: Let’s get moving for this activity. No matter where you are, this gentle stretching routine relieves tension throughout the body. Try reaching your arms overhead and swaying side to side or doing some neck and shoulder rolls. For full body relief, you can do seated leg extensions or side stretches by reaching as far as you can.
Boost your day by relaxing your body and giving your mind a moment to rest amid a chaotic schedule.
3. Journaling: Grab your journal or a pad of paper and get ready to reflect. Journaling can be done in any way that brings you joy—whether that’s a formulated essay, series of independent thoughts, or a guided prompt.
If you’re looking for a place to start, but don’t know where, check out this blog post from Project Happiness about intrinsic happiness to help find your inner happiness.
4. Hydrate: Last, but certainly not least, grab your favorite water bottle (let’s be honest, we all have one) and fill it with cold, refreshing water. If you’re feeling fancy, add in fresh fruit or vegetables. Take a second, sip, and enjoy as your energy and mood rise.
It’s easy to forget to properly hydrate ourselves throughout the day, but it is important to hydrate for happiness and health.
