Create A Mental Health-Oriented Lifestyle With These Small Changes

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Mental health is a crucial part of living well, but it's not always easy to set aside time for self-care. Studies show that in America, over 43 million adults experience mental health issues, so if you struggle, you're not alone. Fortunately, you can improve your mental well-being with a few lifestyle changes. Peace Inside Me shows you how.

Get a Pet

Having a pet decreases loneliness and even improves blood pressure. While dogs and cats are popular, you can get the same benefits with a low-maintenance pet:

• Turtles
• Birds
• Fish
• Rabbits
• Hamsters

Start a Nonprofit

Helping others can do wonders for your mental health. If you can't find volunteer opportunities in your community, or you recognize a gap in services, you can form your own nonprofit. Doing so requires incorporating and filing for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. The incorporation process varies by state, so do your research to determine what paperwork you need. In many cases, you'll need to write formal bylaws, which outline the following:

• Conflict of interest rules
• Voting process
• Board meeting frequency
• Corporation governance

Play Video Games

Video games have gotten a bad rap in the news, but more recent research shows they can meet core psychological needs:

• Connection to others
• Autonomy
• Feeling competent

Multiplayer games offer a community that players may not find in other areas of their lives, and many self-proclaimed gamers use video games as a way to relax. The key is finding the right game and playing it in moderation.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is an excellent tool to combat anxiety and stress. While there are plenty of ways to practice it, mindful drawing uniquely combines awareness and creativity. If you're comfortable, you can spend 20 minutes drawing the world around you, paying particular attention to detail. If you lack drawing experience, you can doodle instead and focus intently on your artwork. Even simply coloring can evoke some of the same mindful practices.

If you’re looking for a more guided meditation, try an at-home retreat from Peace Inside Me. The sessions involve traditional healing practices like guided meditation, movement journeys, and mindfulness practices, but they are facilitated online so that you can take a break from anywhere in the world.

Get Outdoors

Experiencing nature decreases anxiety and stress, two factors that take a toll on mental health. A short walk or hike can even reenergize your mind, and the endorphins released by physical activity can further boost your mood. If you have kids, look online for reviews of jogging strollers or wagons that can turn your outdoor time into family time. Then, keep your eyes open for sales or deals on these products. Soon, you and your family will be soaking up some Vitamin D and exploring Mother Nature together.

Eat Nutritious and Delicious Foods

A healthy diet is essential to good mental health. Foods with high nutritional value can boost your mood and provide added immunities. Some great food choices include:

• Probiotic dairy
• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Eggs, fish, and lean meat

Smoothies are an excellent choice since they utilize yogurt, fruit, and even vegetables, depending on your preference. You can also add wheat germ for extra vitamins.

Try Meditation or Hypnotherapy

Research has long shown that meditation has many mental health benefits, but the practice can be challenging to master. Fortunately, you can find an app to help you out. Meditation apps provide calming background noise or guide you through an imaginary journey.

If you prefer a more personal connection, Peace Inside Me offers different types of guided meditation designed to help many different areas of your life.

Schedule "Me Time"

Finding time for self-care isn't easy, especially if you feel selfish for prioritizing it. However, taking time to do things you love is critical to good mental health. To ensure you get the attention you need, pencil "me time" into your schedule. Do whatever you want during that time, and don't talk yourself out of using every minute.

It can be helpful to have your home be a place of positive energy. If you’re noticing negative energy accumulating, work to rid yourself of it by first cleaning and decluttering your space. Then you can smudge your rooms with sage as you air out your home.