Editor’s note: This article was submitted for publication Fall 2018. This is a late upload.
By: MacKenzie Taylor
- Take a Nice, Long Shower or Bath
On our worst days, it takes all of our energy to accomplish this task. But it really can help. There’s something healing about just standing there and letting the water run over you, or soaking in a bath and just shutting out the world. It’ll leave you feeling clean and refreshed even if it’s just for a little bit.
2. Take a Nap
Sleep really can do wonders. Sometimes you just have to find time to carve out an hour or so for a nap. It’s a great way to recharge, so that you can wake up feeling refreshed and have the energy to get through your day. There’s no shame in taking a nap, and we all need them sometimes.
3. Exercise
Go for a walk. Spend an hour at the gym. Dance around your house. Any form of exercise can be really helpful. First of all, it’s a distraction. Second of all, it’s a way to release stress, anxiety, and other negative elements in our life. You can exercise at your own pace, and focus your attention solely on yourself. You can set goals for yourself and work towards achieving them. It’s an activity for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re at the gym surrounded by people, or if you’re home alone and just dancing to your favorite song.
4. Focus on Favorites
Take time to watch your favorite movie or TV show, or listen to your favorite artist. Identify what you can take comfort in and keep that in mind the next time you’re struggling with your mental health. Listen to that band, album, or song that always puts a smile on your face. Watch that movie or show that can always make you laugh. Make time for yourself and the simple things that make you happy.
5. Don’t Underestimate the Value of Basic Tasks
Sometimes we can find relaxation in the things we do on a daily basis. Some of us find it calming to clean our rooms or do our makeup. There’s this strong sense of satisfaction when you see a task through from start to finish, and seeing the finished product at the end can feel very rewarding. Take note of the simple things you do on a daily basis that can help you to relax, and revisit those tasks as needed.
6. Make the Effort to Go Out
Make a run to the grocery store. Meet a friend for a movie. Walk to the end of your driveway and check the mail. It’s important to not completely isolate yourself from the world around you for long periods of time. Step outside and get some fresh air. It’s a reminder that there is still a world that’s existing around you, and it gives you a chance to interact with the people within it. The simple exchange between you and a worker at a fast food drive-thru might be the only interaction you experience on a particular day, but you’re still experiencing human interaction. You still went outside, and that’s an accomplishment in and of itself.
7. Talk to Someone
It doesn’t even have to be a counselor or a therapist necessarily. If the option is available to you, then that can be a great resource for getting the help you need, but if not then you still have other options. Reach out to a friend or family member. Talk to them about how you’re feeling and what’s been going on. Even if you just had a bad day, it can be therapeutic to vent to someone about the events of the day. Talk to your online friends if they’re available to you. They might have different perspectives to share because they are not physically around you on a daily basis. Identify where your support is, and reach out to that support when you need it. Seek counseling if and when you can. Sometimes we just need people to listen to us because that listening can make all the difference in the world.
