Good mental health habits aren’t easy to practice if you’re not aware of what’s good and what’s not. A simple route down the wrong lane can lead to bouts of dark thoughts that impact mood and overall emotions. Which is why it’s important to be conscious of your routine and incorporate healthy behaviors that facilitate mental rest and relieve stress. But how do you go about liberating your mind after a long, stressful day? We’ve provided three steps to guide you.
Think positive thoughts
Positive thoughts before sleep help you to be calmer and have better sleep quality. In fact, studies have shown that people who demonstrate higher levels of gratitude and think positive thoughts before bed sleep longer. And sleeping longer translates into better rest and a good mood the following day. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t deal with negative thoughts. It’s simply saying you should move your mind to a place of gratitude and deal with the bleak thoughts at a more appropriate time.
Take a moment to celebrate yourself
Regardless of the turn of events, you must have experienced something positive in your day. A few things to reflect on include: Did you allow yourself to laugh at a joke in spite of your mood? Did you control yourself from losing it during the horrible incident that ruined your day? Did you share a few words of encouragement with a colleague who needed it? Reflect on your day and celebrate those “small” victory moments. Such behavior contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
Take note of your accomplishments
Look back on your day to spot three achievements and write them down. In order for you to benefit from this exercise, plan your day ahead and review at the close of day to see what you accomplished. Starting out your day with goals, big or small, help you to measure your productivity and shift your focus on to the positive, boosting your mood in the process.
It’s important to remind yourself that living a healthy lifestyle isn’t limited nutrition or physical activity. The mind can trigger emotions so strong that if not controlled, can overpower you. Master it.