These days, our brains are overstimulated. Ever since the internet revolutionized the distribution of information, we receive unfiltered information 24/7. The brain has evolved over thousands of years. It cannot quickly accommodate and evolve to counteract or accept this overload of information. Anything in excess can be harmful to humans, including this over-stimulus of information.
In times like these, where economic instability is destabilizing businesses, everyone is affected in one way or another. Most of us are worried or frustrated. As a result, we look for a retreat, an escape from these problems. Instead of looking for an escape, we should look for ways to improve our mental health. It is imperative for every individual to keep their thoughts and actions in check. Here are some ways in which you can take a step towards better mental health from this moment on.
- Share Your Thoughts
You are not alone in this. We all need help from time to time. Share your thoughts with a close person who you can trust. Oftentimes we tend to overthink and magnify a small problem. Sharing the problem with someone other than our own brain lends a different perspective to the problem. In fact, there are whole institutions out there dedicated to mental health. We go to an expert for our physical health problems. There is no reason you shouldn’t go to an expert for your mental health problems. Whatever your problem, look for sources like Vista Pines Health that can help you see a different perspective on it, process it, and get rid of it.
- Empty The Vessel
An immediate step towards a mental reset is to just overturn your vessel. Get a pen and paper. Sit down, close your eyes, and think for a few seconds. Then start writing down all the thoughts that are running through your mind. Write down each source of infliction on your mental health. Either you will realize most problems are manifestations of your brain overthinking. Or you will realize what you need to do in order to solve the problem. Either way, your brain is reset, leading to improved mental health. Compartmentalize your thoughts by figuring out the threads of each thought and unraveling the trail. The best way to do so is by creating a connection between your mind and paper.
- Go For A Walk
Physical health and mental health go hand to hand. Studies have revealed a strong correlation between the two. Oftentimes, a simple act of walking can help clear our minds. Light or moderate physical activity, such as walking or even dancing to your favorite music, can increase blood flow to the brain. This can help you sharpen your brain and calm your nerves, making you feel less stressed. Physical activity also releases chemicals called endorphins. These chemicals trigger a positive feeling in the body and give you a positive and energizing outlook on life. So the next time life starts to feel overwhelming, you should go for a walk. You can even take a friend with you and share your thoughts with them.
- Be A Part Of Something Bigger
We can become completely absorbed in our problems, failing to perceive a world beyond them. Our problems start to seem like mountains, and we fail to look beyond them. Sometimes it helps to be a part of something bigger than us. There can be many ways to do so. Doing volunteer work. Teaching your skills and knowledge to those in need. Raising awareness on an important issue such as mental health. You can help others solve their problems. The sense of fulfillment and achievement that follows can give you the strength to solve your own problems.
- Look Up
Early humans were closer to nature. The average modern human is cut off from any sensory experiences of nature. Looking up at the sky is the easiest way to feel connected to nature. Called sky gazing, looking up at the sky is actually proven to be therapeutic. Just the thought of being connected to the vast cosmos can help reduce stress and anxiety. The next time you are feeling mental stress, look up at the sky. If it is nighttime, gaze upon the beautiful moon. Look at the stars and planets in the sky. In the words of the great science communicator and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, ‘keep looking up.’
- Filter The Information
We are what we consume, be it food or information. It is a modern fact that we cannot stop or go off-grid like a monk. We have to stay in this society and exist. What we do have control over is the type of information that we receive. You can consciously choose the quality of content that you consume online. Follow those people on social media that share positive ideas. Watch those shows and movies that contain positive messages. Unfollow bad energy. Unfollow all the stimuli that are not actively contributing to enhancing your mental health.
- Unplug Yourself
The best app on the smartphone is airplane mode. Set aside at least half an hour on your calendar each day for yourself. Mark it as a ‘me time’ to recharge. Set your phone on airplane mode and disconnect yourself from the digital world. Use this time to connect with yourself. Ask yourself how you are feeling. Reflect upon your thoughts. Process your emotions. In fact, you can use this time to try tip number two above. Similarly, when you wind it up and go to sleep, keep your phone on airplane mode. When you wake up the next morning, the first stimulus should not be those notification badges on your smartphone. It should be an experience that primes you for productivity and relaxation for the day. Spend your first hour of the day exercising, reading, and spending time with your family.Â
Takeaway
Mental health is something we often take for granted. Our brains are perhaps the most powerful tool we possess. Like everything else, even it needs to be taken care of. In times like these, where an excess of stimulus is bombarded upon us, it is now more important than ever to take every step you can towards better mental health.
