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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Mimi
February 21, 2020 at 1:50 pmi really this article, it’s offer so much tips and advices. I’ll try some ! you have a really nice blog
Shana Seigler
February 21, 2020 at 4:20 pmGreat post! I’m getting better at saying no. It was hard at first but as made life much better overall.
Bumbles
February 21, 2020 at 8:34 pmI love these tips especially the one about allowing people to cut you out. Everyone’s going through their own things too and sometimes it’s difficult to deal with theirs and yours.
Natasha
February 24, 2020 at 11:13 amLove this!! I love journaling and yoga. I need to get better at taking a mental health day when I need it. Thank you for this!
Suktara
February 25, 2020 at 3:31 amThis is such an helpful article. I am so glad you mentioned about food habits, something easily overlooked when it comes to mental health. I too have mostly shifted to a vegetarian lifestyle and it has improved my energy levels so much.
S.S. Mitchell
June 19, 2020 at 12:29 amSetting goals is so important in enabling us to channel our progress. I also think that accepting imperfections is definitely a mindset that promotes mental wellbeing!
Rayo
March 11, 2020 at 10:58 amThis post is so helpful. Learning to detoxify my social media is my next mission. Thanks for sharing these tips
Unwanted Life
March 11, 2020 at 11:01 amCutting people out, or bridge burning was one of the most effective things for helping me with my mental health
Bexa
March 11, 2020 at 3:00 pmThese are all such positive things to do! I’ve also found that journaling and yoga does wonders for my mental health and makes me feel so much better 🙂 Thank you for sharing your suggestions, fab post! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Jessica Mathis
April 30, 2020 at 10:43 pmAhh, Jess, I’m late to the party but this is such a good post. I have been on a similar journey and have found many of these things have made their way into my arsenal as well. I need to do better at setting boundaries. That’s a skill I need to learn and re-learn as necessary! It also would benefit me to go back to therapy.
All this takes incredible awareness and vulnerability on your part. It’s often not easy to change.
Keep up the good work!
Jessica | Unplug Initiative
justjess18
May 1, 2020 at 10:32 pmThanks love!
Nyxie
June 28, 2020 at 11:02 amBoundaries are something I struggle with so much. I always feel like I need to explain myself or do more than is necessary for others. It’s so annoying but I’m working on it!
Thank you for this post!
Hannah Siller
July 8, 2020 at 6:07 pmAllow people to cut me off….I like that.
Rebekah Charles
July 24, 2020 at 12:34 pmLove the tips! Very insightful and informative. I especially loved the setting boundaries. It is so important to do so! I use to struggle with saying no, and I would end up over exhausting myself. But I have stopped and it has been the best decision since.
GABBY
July 24, 2020 at 3:38 pmGirl, I love this post so much. I completely agree that we are responsible for looking after our mental health – people can only do so much. I relate to so many of these habits, especially working out, blogging, journaling, and changing your eating habits. I also like the idea of a social media detox.
Genuinely enjoyed reading this. Thanks for sharing!
Much love always,
GABBY | http://www.gabbyabigaill.com
justjess18
July 25, 2020 at 6:39 pmThanks for reading and the awesome feedback
Sarah
July 25, 2020 at 1:08 amI love every single one of your tips! Truly amazing. I especially like the idea of getting rid of toxicity on social media rather than completely getting rid of it. Thanks for sharing!
T.B.C
August 7, 2020 at 11:21 amLoved all the things mentioned here. The social media cull, taking a mental health check day, reading, journaling, exercising – all of the things you mentioned are absolutely key to maintaining sound mental health. We have been on that trajectory for some time now and then we embarked upon 21 Days of Abundance, a guided meditation by Deepak Chopra and it has translated our whole existence. To the point where we realise that EVERY interaction has affected tenfold not only to with the people we meet but to ourselves and our environment! Your post is inspiring. Thank you