Improve your mental wellness by observing yourself and taking breaks

Hello there 👋 

Managing stress and anxiety for a short time might feel a little uncomfortable but the longer you manage it, the less able you are to handle the weight and push forward. To some, managing their mental wellness, meaning their ability to live productively and cope with normal stresses is about neglecting those bad feelings and putting even more energy and pressure.

However, we need sometimes to slow down and figure out a better coping strategy for when things get too heavy. 

Here are five tactics you can use to improve your mental wellness:

  1. Count your blessings

It's easy to take little things for granted. Make time everyday to list what you're grateful for — like the coffee you're drinking, or that you have a short commute to work. 

💡As an illustration, think of five things everyday and keep them in a journal or sticky-note on your desk. 

  2. Check in with yourself 

Actively observe your body, emotions, and thoughts without judgment at the beginning and end of each day. 

💡💡As an illustration, don't be afraid to ask yourself questions. How does your body feel? What kind of thoughts are you having? How do you feel emotionally?

 ‌ 3. Take care of your body

Make a conscious effort to listen to your body and recognize what you need.

💡💡💡As an illustration, practice healthy eating, drink water, exercise, and keep a consistent sleeping schedule — even when you’re not that stressed. 

 ‌ 4. Talk to people

According to Stanford research scientist, Emma Seppala, people who feel more connected to others have higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of anxiety and depression. 

💡💡💡💡As an illustration, make an effort to talk to people. This can be as simple as asking your coworker out for lunch or coffee.

 ‌ 5. Take breaks 

A 2011 study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign showed that prolonged attention to a single task can actually hurt performance. Breaks can help you refocus your brain and give you the clarity you need to keep going.

💡💡💡💡💡As an illustration, when you find yourself working on a project for too long, take a break. Take a walk around your workplace, step outside, or switch to another task.

Drop your thoughts 💬 below 👇:

• Have you ever or do you know someone who experienced intense anxiety or pressure? Was it for a long or a short time ? 
• How did you cope with that ? Which of those five tactics did you/they opt for?
• If you have other tactics tell us about them 📩.
• Which of those 5 tactics you see is more effective and can help ? 
• If you are currently dealing with bad feelings such as stress and anxiety share with us what you feel and what is the cause of those feelings✍️.

💌 This is the fifth 5th discussion of the   Horizons series 💫🌌