15 Things I Did To Improve My Mental Health

Last year, there were 15 things I did to improve my mental health, that you can do too! Some of these were easy to do, others it took time, but I made it happen and I have benefited ever since.

While there are many ways your family and friends can support you in improving your mental health, you should be self sustainable as well. Implement use of some of the things I did and you will notice a decrease in anxiety, decrease in depressive symptoms and an improvement in mindfulness. 

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15 things I did to improve my mental health

Started journaling

I was gifted a creativity journal (you can find one here) and I have adored it since I have gotten it. This journal helped improve my mindfulness and I was able to tap into my creative side!

Yoga

Three times a week I awake earlier than my normal time to do 20-30 minutes of yoga. (I use this video!) It has allowed me to start my day refreshed, clear and open to all positive things. It is a nice bonus that it has helped sculpt my body and increase the strength in my core.

Set Boundaries

Learning to say “no” was one of the hardest things I had to do. It was absolutely necessary to learn to set healthy boundaries for my mental health. I would over exert myself and do work that was not mine. I would allow individuals to take what should have been a strength and turn it into a weakness. If you need help doing so, read my latest!

Take A Mental Health Day

Last year,  I made sure to take a day here and there to myself for myself. I did not explain anything to anyone at my job (why did I need to?!) I took a PTO or sick day and took care of myself.

It was the greatest thing I could do was take time for my mind to repair and breath. It took a few times before I finally got the hang of taking a day off without guilt. However, I now look forward to sleeping in, going to therapy and meditating. 

Detoxed my social media

A little different than taking time away from social media, I went through my personal social media accounts daily and purged it. If I saw someone posting negativity or things that did not align with my vision, they were deleted and occasionally blocked. To this day, I still do this (I have way too many friends) and I love seeing it less and less. 

Allowed people to cut me off and vice versa

I would try so hard to keep people in my life that were not meant to be in it. It took them doing me so wrong or cutting me off. I became open to being the villain in someone’s story and accepting what I could have done differently in relationships/friendships.

Started therapy

THE greatest thing I could do to improve myself is acknowledge my need to grow and develop further. There were things from my past that I needed to process and I needed to be held accountable for my inconsistent and unhealthy boundaries with others.

I needed to learn things that would align me better within my career and allow me to function higher within society. Read my latest on myths about therapy and how to find a good therapist. 

Started Blogging

Beginning Just Call Me Jess (JCMJ) allowed me to learn more about the mental health field, hone in on mood disorders and find ways to reduce stigma on a larger scale.

Beginning this blog allowed for me to make connections with others who strive to advocate for mental wellness as well. If you are interested in beginning a mental health blog, get your copy of the guide here!

Set Goals

Similar to setting goals for my professional life I began setting goals for my mental health. Just as I would set my sights on receiving more certifications, I would also set a goal to meditate or journal more. From month to month, I would begin to implement good habits to overcome the bad ones and improve my mental health. 

Accept My imperfections

One of the things I’ve done to improve my mental health is to accept myself “flaws and all”. Where I once saw blemishes in appearance, inadequacies in performance, I now see that I am where I need to be at this point in my life. While there is always room to grow, I am sure to reward myself for how far I have come. I am sure to acknowledge the beauty inside and out, that others see so easily. 

Changed My Eating Habits

I switched to a pescatarian lifestyle (seafood) and noticed a huge difference. Physically, my bloating decreased, my face cleared and I reduce the amount of carbs I would intake. Mentally, I was not as sluggish, I had healthy energy and have improvements in mood!

Exercised More

Where I once worked out once… a month, I now work out 2-3 times a week. I signed up for a membership at my local gym last summer and have been consistent ever since. I noticed an increase in energy, improvement in mood, and honestly I was happier. It allowed me a moment to think clearly or not think at all! Learn more about how exercise could help with your mental health.

Focused On Where I am

I get so worked up into where I want to be that I – at times- forget about where I am. I love having goals and achieving them, I mean who doesn’t. I just needed to really focus on where I am to not only accomplish a goal but to soak in all I could so that I could avoid mistakes, educate others and realize if I liked doing what I wanted or not. 

Read More Books

I read so many books when I was younger and needed to get back in tune with it. Not just to be mindful but to escape and go into a world that I imagined myself. Lately, I have incorporated self help, personal development, mental health and autobiographies into my reading list. Right now I am reading Eat To Live,  Rich Dad Poor Dad and next is You’re a BadA**: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life. Read along with me all of them are under $10! 

I hope you can implement at least one of the 15 things I’ve done to improve my mental health and improve yours. Above anything find what works for you! This may consist of trying multiple things that do not work but that is okay. Now you know what does not support your mental health! Never give up, never give in! 

What are some of the things you have noticed so far that have helped to improve your mental health? Someone else could use the insight!

As always I’m here to help. Reach out!

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