May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in today’s society, mental health awareness is more crucial than ever. With the increasing pressures of modern life, such as work demands, social expectations, and personal challenges, mental health issues have become more prevalent. According to Mental Health America, nearly half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental health condition at some point in their life, with 52 million (approximately one in five) currently diagnosed with one. Our society as a whole could greatly benefit from regularly incorporating mental health tips in their daily lives.

7 ways to support your mental health

Whether your goal is to incorporate daily mental health practices into your routine, develop better coping skills for anxiety, or simply increase your overall happiness, you’ll find all of these things when you prioritize healthy habits for mental health. Here are seven easy-to-implement suggestions that can make a big impact without a lot of time, effort, or money. 

Limit screen time

Our phones and all the other digital devices that keep us connected are double edged swords. Being ultra-reachable means constantly pinged with notifications, reminders, and alarms; suggestions of people to see and places to go and things to buy. It can quickly be overwhelming and lead us to feel drained, overstimulated, and also that we’re missing out. While it might not be feasible to ditch your phone or computer altogether, you can improve your mental health by setting a few boundaries like: 

  • Don’t reach for your phone first thing when you wake up. Take a few deep breaths instead and take in the sunshine.
  • Turn off notifications for social media or deactivate your social media accounts altogether.  
  • Don’t look at your phone right before bed. Even the dimmest screen brightness is enough to wreck your body’s natural sleep rhythms.

Get grateful

Gratitude is a well-documented way of increasing life satisfaction and happiness. When you actively make an effort to recognize and appreciate all the good things in your life, it can put the negative moments in perspective and prevent them from seeming bigger than they are. Our challenge to you: in the mornings, create a list of all the things you are grateful for and looking forward to in the day, and in the evenings, think of all the day’s events or conversations that you enjoyed and appreciated. 

Have a routine

The predictability of a routine is beneficial for mental health, especially in times of uncertainty or stress. It also encourages you to be intentional about the way you spend your time which itself, can lead to greater happiness and satisfaction. Your routine can be as simple or elaborate as you want, and implemented around a specific time of day or action. All that matters is that your routine brings you a sense of peace or enjoyment and fits with your lifestyle preferences. 

Add novelty to your life

On the flip side, your mental health can also benefit from seeking new experiences. Trying new things has a direct correlation with dopamine, which leads to enhanced mood, motivation, and more positive outlook. It can also lower stress and anxiety while providing a sense of accomplishment.

Spend time in nature

Humans are hardwired to find comfort and pleasure in being in nature. Research has found that green spaces have cognitive benefits of increased memory, mental flexibility, and self-control; while also reducing stress. Taking advantage of the benefits of nature doesn’t mean you have to go outside. Pops of the color green can mimic these benefits, as can nature sounds, like birds chirping or the sounds of waves. 

Practice yoga

No list of mental health tips would be complete without mentioning yoga. It doesn’t matter if you buy into the talk of chakras or energy vibrations. What can’t be disputed is that yoga is a powerful practice because it combines physical activity with breathwork and meditation — all things that are known to be highly effective for emotional regulation and resilience. Even as little as five minutes a day can help you feel great in both body and mind.  

Indulge in self-care

Turn the daily aspects of your life into a luxurious experience that you look forward to and enjoy. Little tweaks like a candle, great-smelling soap, and a relaxing playlist can transform bath time from a chore to a slice of prime “me time.” Apply this same approach to turn all the small moments like brushing your teeth, getting dressed, making dinner, or preparing for bed. By turning the ho-hum into pleasurable moments throughout your day, you are increasing the number of things you have to look forward to in your day, living more intentionally, and staying in the present.