Taking a more holistic approach to your mental health is beneficial for several reasons. For starters, it can help you feel your best and improve the way you see the world. Living this type of lifestyle can seem challenging at first glance, but it’s actually quite easy to follow. Below, you’ll find a few ways you can approach mental health more holistically.
Eat whole foods
It’s essential to fuel your body with food that benefits your well-being instead of hindering it. Having a healthy diet can significantly improve your mental and emotional health, which can affect how you interact with the world in front of you completely. Here are a few items that you should add to your grocery list to create balanced meals:
- Leafy greens
- Antioxidant-packed fruits
- Veggies with lots of vitamins
- Grains that can keep you full
- Sources of protein
Try botanical remedies
Unwinding after a long day can be difficult, especially if your mind can’t seem to quiet down no matter how hard you try. Fortunately, there are a lot of botanical remedies, like medical and recreational marijuana to help you relieve stress and enhance your mood. Plus, marijuana is gradually becoming more normalized, so it’s easier to find in most states, from dispensaries in Maryland to online CBD shops. With this, you’ll be able to achieve the relaxation you’ve been craving in no time.
Take the time to unplug
Technology plays a vital role in our lives, but not always in the best way. Sometimes, it can keep us away from our friends, work, sleep, food, and other things we may love. Try to dedicate some time during the week to unplug your devices and give your mind time to itself. This is an especially valuable tip if you’re overusing social media or are attached to your work in an unhealthy way.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
We all need some help every once in a while; there’s no shame in this. The sooner you accept it and let your pride down, you’ll be able to notice how much happier you can be. Whether you confide in friends, relatives, co-workers, a stranger, or a mental health professional, what matters is that you’re communicating your thoughts and feelings. The best thing is that you don’t have to ask for help in person. You can schedule a quick phone call or write a text about what’s stressing you out.
Spend more time outdoors
Spending time with mother nature can greatly improve our mental health. A few benefits of spending time outdoors include:
- Decreasing feelings of anxiety and depression
- Raising vitamin D levels, which can help combat depression
- Improving concentration and creativity
With that said, make some time to go outside and let the warm sun and breeze graze your skin. You also don’t have to do this alone. Take a loved one or furry friend with you and enjoy the outdoors together.
Prioritize your passions and hobbies
It’s really easy to let work and other responsibilities consume every minute of your day. However, you always have to try to make time for yourself and the things that spark joy in you. Otherwise, you’ll spend your life working, and is that really living? Keep this mind the next time you push away your hobbies and interests in favor of taking on more work.
Practice mindfulness
As with any holistic approach, it’s important to be mindful of your feelings and emotional state throughout the day. By becoming more aware of your thoughts, you can reduce the amount of emotional outbursts and intrusive thoughts that occur as you go about work and play. You’ll also be able to handle curveballs much better. To help you practice mindfulness, consider writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal.
While there are many ways to approach mental health holistically, it’s important to focus on what works best for you. Use this guide as a starting point and let it inspire you to live a more holistic lifestyle.