07 Oct 10 ways to promote a healthy mindset
Being healthy isn’t simply exercising and eating well, mental health also plays a major role in your overall wellbeing, however many of us forget to check-in and make time to practice a healthy mindset. Approximately 1 in 4 Australians experience some form of mental illness, while others may experience intermittent feelings of stress, a lack of confidence or feeling overwhelmed.
There is a myriad of different things you can do to promote a healthy mindset, from exercising to meditating, we share 10 things you can try to ensure you are promoting a healthy mindset and to support feeling your best.
1. Eat well
Research supports a diet of highly processed foods, with little nutrients, play a significant impact on not only your body but also your mind. Good nutrition allows you to feel good from the inside out.
2. Surround yourself with positive people
Take time to make meaningful connections with friends and family and the people around you. By surrounding yourself with positive people you will feel happier and supported. Many of us lead busy schedules, but it is important to make time to socialise and to have fun.
3. Take time to practice gratitude
It can be easy to forget to take a minute or so to reflect and to think about the things in your life that you are grateful for. Something as simple as having a cup of tea without technology, or meditating can go a long way in feeling happier and promoting mental clarity.
4. Avoid self-comparison
Comparison can take its toll for many people resulting in lowered self-esteem or a lower sense of self-worth. Take comfort in the fact that no one person is the same and remember to make time to disconnect from social media platforms every now and again.
5. Find a hobby
A balance between work or study and spending time doing things that make you happy can make a big difference to having a healthy mindset. Try something new or pick up a class to help you feel fulfilled.
6. Give back
Giving back to the community can help build meaningful connections with those around you but can also be so powerful for your mindset. Volunteer within your community or show small acts of kindness to those around you during the day and you will feel better and happier as a person.
7. Talk about your feelings
It’s important to share how we are feeling with people close to us. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your feeling with anyone, sometimes a personal journal can help you to express what you’re experiencing.
8. Reflect
Making time to reflect is a powerful thing. Take time to reflect on the past day or week and reflect on how you resolved problems and how it felt. Reflection is a great way to stay in tune with yourself, learn and maintain a fresh mind.
9. Exercise
There are many studies that support the idea that exercise is very powerful in supporting mental health. According to Knapen et. al. (2014) exercise can improve body image, resilience, quality of life and can even assist in cases of mild to moderate depression.
10. Use failure to encourage success
Failure can be the cornerstone to personal growth and development. Remind yourself to pick yourself back up again and try again!
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References:
Knapen, J., Vancampfort, D., Moriën, Y., and Marchal, Y., 2015. Exercise therapy improves both mental and physical health in patients with major depression, Disability and Rehabilitation, 37:16, 1490-1495.