Stress and anxiety are something that is prevalent in EVERYONE in society today.
Whether it’s dealing with work, studying for exams or any other such factor, mental health issues can & does affect us all.
If you find yourself suffering from stress or anxiety then this article might be of help to you but if not there are loads of other great sources from the likes of MIND. I’m going to list 10 ways that may improve your mental health and hopefully, they will benefit you if you try them out:
1. Try not to overwork yourself
Although working hard and achieving the most success possible is extremely important, we should always make sure we don’t let ourselves get too overwhelmed by our workloads. Before long, we’ll start to feel unwell and won’t even realise when the line between mental health and work becomes blurred.
2. Make sure you take breaks during your workday
Often, if we’re having a hard time concentrating on our work then it’s because our minds are overworked and need to take a break. It may seem like an annoyance, but make sure you take breaks during the day; not only will this refresh you for the rest of the day but also allow you to realise what is really important in life.
3. Exercise regularly
Exercise helps clear your mind and allows you to think about things more positively; whether that involves thinking about problems or just something you want to achieve in life, regular exercise can help greatly! This applies whether that be going on long walks around your local area or getting into a workout routine, there are many ways to keep your life active.
4. Surround yourself with a positive support network
Having positive people in your corner is very important and can make a huge difference in how you feel about certain situations. Whether that be going through a tough time at work or simply trying to avoid letting trivial matters get out of hand, having someone supportive by your side is key!
5. Take some time off from social media
Social media has such an impact on the way we see the world nowadays and it’s not always for the best; although social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter can give us access to what our friends are up to all over the globe, they might not always share important stories or information so take some time away from social media to clear your mind!
6. Stop worrying about things that are out of your control
This sounds obvious, but there are many people out there who spend a great deal of time thinking about problems or situations that they can’t change or fix whatsoever. If you’re spending too much time on matters that are completely out of your hands then it might be worth trying to channel some of this emotion into tackling something you actually have the power to change.
7. Get enough sleep every night
One thing I’ve noticed more and more over recent years is how common sleeping issues are becoming; so many people, especially students, have begun neglecting sleep in favour of their work because they feel as though they don thave time to sleep. If you’re someone who finds themselves constantly tired during the day or suffering from lack of sleep on a regular basis, it might be worth trying to get yourself into a better sleeping routine.
8. Try your best not to worry about things that are out of your control
This sounds similar to tip number six, but there is a difference; whenever you find yourself worrying on end about something that isn’t completely in your hands, stop and remind yourself that it doesn’t matter! Worrying all the time won’t do you any good and will only make things worse, so try to channel some of that unnecessary energy into achieving something else.
9. Work on finding more hobbies that suit your interests
Hobbies are great for us because they can help keep our minds stimulated and give us things to work towards. Sometimes, the reason we feel unwell or unmotivated is because all of our spare energy goes into worrying about small matters so try working on finding some hobbies that you really enjoy!
10. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help
If you’re finding it difficult to manage your mental health then don’t be afraid to speak up; many students turn to less traditional methods of dealing with these issues like self-harm or abuse but this isn’t always the case. There are so many people out there who would be happy to offer their support in any way they can, so make sure you don’t let your feelings get in the way of enjoying life!
Last but not least, one of the most important things you need to remember is to love yourself no matter what happens; if you’re having a hard time at work then remind yourself that you’ve been working hard and it’s okay to take a break from time-to-time, but always make sure you give yourself some credit when it’s due. Don’t let your self-esteem get too low
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