One of the most important things in life is a strong mental health since it ties itself to every other part of your existence while having the ability to make your reality a dream come true, or your worst nightmare. Many of us don’t know what to do when getting trapped in the thick fog of sadness, and unfortunately, we hear too often how it’s, “all in your head,” or to, “get over it and move on.” As you may know, it is a lot harder said than done. Before moving on, know one thing; You are loved, and you most certainly matter.
Day in and day out, having depression or anxiety can pose extreme challenges day to day. This becomes something you must acknowledge and then exercise every single day, because left untreated, without the consistency and proper tools, the feeling of running in circles prospers over the recovery and mindset you desire. Luckily for you, we put together some tips and tricks to keep your mental health in check, so you can keep doing all things you were born to do!
Therapy
Regardless of what anyone says, it’s nice to have someone whose job it is to sit and listen to the trauma life has thrown at you without the fear of word spreading while being in a judgement-free zone. Looking up a therapist in your local area is one of the best things you can do to work with someone directly in establishing a plan of care that’s best for you.
Exercise
There’s a reason why you feel so good after hitting the gym or going for a run, and that’s due to the chemical release of endorphins your brain gives you. This powerful group of chemicals helps you feel good, especially when stacked with a proper diet. For residents at Acero North Valley, there’s an indoor and outdoor fitness center open 24/7 so you can get the work done any time of day. See what other local gyms are nearby in northern Phoenix to find the perfect fitness space for you.
Journaling
Nothing is worse than having your head race with thought after thought and having no place to put them. When you write out your feelings, you give your racing headspace a new comfy home between the paper, and as you progress through your journey of life, re-reading your previous entries can be an exciting way to have a visual of your own growth over time.
Healthy Diet
The famous saying of, “you are what you eat,” is true in essence. When you eat food, your body breaks it down to create new cells. When you are consistently eating junk food, more than likely you soon will feel like junk. Instead of the chips and soda-pop, try switching it out for foods like pineapple and green tea! Both have clinical research which proves to increase your serotonin levels, otherwise known as your feel-good happy hormone.
Sunshine and Vitamin D
Since we’re blessed with having the Arizona sun at our fingertips, the advantage of using this ball of fire in the sky for our mood is remarkable. Spending the majority of the day outside, that sunlight packs a vitamin D punch, delivering 10,000IU from just 15 minutes of sunlight. With proper sun exposure, vitamin D is allowed to do its thing in helping the body operate and keep the mind positive.
All in all, always remember that working on your mental health is something to be taken day by day. Your trauma is real, your feelings are real, but don’t burn yourself out trying to go from 0 to 100 in a single day. Think about it as a penny that doubles each day, you start from nothing, but with a compounding effect, that penny is worth over 5 million in 30 days.
