With the looming lockdown extension hanging over our head, we look at ways to mind our mental health.
Meditation teacher Luke McLeod wants people to not be to too hard on themselves during these trying times. “Rest and recovery are just as important to achieving your goals are drive and ambition.”
Whilst staying indoors, try these 5 mental health positive activities to help you manage your mental health.
Journaling:
Journaling is a great way to check in with how you are feeling and it can be a big mood booster.
If you struggle to put pen to paper consider allowing yourself one minute to journal on each of these prompts. Try not to overthink the questions and write ‘from the heart’ as much as possible.
1) Who makes you feel loved and why
2) Name something that makes you happy
3) Where is your favourite place to go
4) Name the best thing that has ever happened to you
5) What are you grateful for today
Not only can journaling help you to prioritise problems, fears and concerns, it is helpful for identifying negative thought patterns and release stress.
Exercise:
The natural happy hormones, also known as endorphins, released through exercise have been a lifesaver for many bunkering down in lockdown.
Try to get your heart rate up every day even if just by a brisk walk. Getting outside has the added benefit of fresh air and exposure to green space which can work wonders for the mind.
Educational Online Courses:
Did you know that there are hundreds (if not thousands) of free online seminars and courses running every week.
Covering everything from beginners Greek to coding and buying cryptocurrency, find something that interests you.
Trying new things is a big confidence and mental health booster, you might even discover a new passion or make a friend on the other side of the world.
Getting Creative:
There is something truly liberating about getting a little bit ‘Picasso’ every once in a while.
The man himself once said “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
For many Australians’ lockdown has provided the opportunity to find their inner artist with some even selling their work on Etsy or Instagram for some added cash flow benefits.
Even if you don’t want to show your masterpieces to anyone, consider getting crafty for the mental health benefits of self-expression and stress relief.
Mindfulness:
For many, meditation and mindfulness goes hand in hand with good mental health. Unsurprisingly the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has reported a rise in the use of mental health services and an increase in psychological distress since Covid-19.
Find a meditation group and connect. Most are running online and you’ll be able to sign up fairly quickly and easily enough to start meditating and helping ease your mental health under these pressing times.