Since it’s summertime and the weather is becoming warmer, many people are focusing on their physical well being and appearance. After all, it is “beach season” and people want to look their absolute best. However, this pressure of looking “perfect” can create a lot of stress and self-resentment. People can become frustrated with themselves simply because they don’t look like the models or stars that they see on TV or in magazines. This can eventually spiral into a negative attitude that can absolutely ruin your mental state and can be quite hard to recover from. People who aren’t happy with themselves or their body can have side effects such as depressive episodes or self-isolation. However, no matter how dark of a place you are in, there still are ways that you can improve your mental wellbeing and have a positive outlook on life. Here are five things you can do to improve your mental wellbeing.
Stop Comparing Yourself To Others
One of the worst things you can do for your mental wellbeing is to compare yourself to other people. Life isn’t a competition, and comparing yourself to others will only lessen your happiness in the end. Everybody goes through different trials and tribulations, so comparisons aren’t really relevant. You may see people that you believe are happier and more successful than you, but you don’t know the whole story. You don’t know exactly what that person is going through and if they are truly happy. Even if they are, why should it affect you? Stop comparing yourself to other people when it comes to attractiveness and success. So no, you don’t need to starve yourself or undergo treatment like Restylane to look like the movie stars, you’re perfect the way you are and shouldn’t even compare yourself to others. You should instead compare current self to your past self in order to be the best version of yourself possible. After doing this, your mental well-being will greatly improve.
Exercise More
Exercise is a great way to improve your physical health, but can also be a great way to improve your mental health as well. Exercise will allow you to be the best version of yourself, and will increase your overall happiness. If you struggle with weight, then cardio such as running, walking, and cycling can help you lose weight extremely quickly. If you’re looking to add weight, physical activity like weight lifting can allow you to bulk up. These physical changes will allow you to be the best possible version of yourself, improving your self confidence and mental wellbeing. However the biggest mental benefits of exercise stem from the chemicals your body releases during it. Your body will release endorphins when exercising, a chemical closely associated with the emotion of happiness. In addition, exercise can be a positive outlet for stress and frustration, allowing you to improve your wellbeing in a healthy manner. If you’re looking to improve your wellbeing, then exercise should be a key part of your lifestyle
Limit Social Media Use
The Internet and social media has begun to dominate our everyday lives, and in some cases it’s hurting us. An overuse of social media could be very bad for your mental wellbeing. It’s very easy to see what people post on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook and compare yourself to them. What many people don’t realize is that social media depicts the highest highs of peoples’ lives and very rarely shows the lows. Sometimes photos are overly edited or tampered with, creating unrealistic beauty expectations. Not comparing yourself with others can be very difficult if you’re constantly seeing the best part of everyone else’s lives on social media. Improve your mental wellbeing by limiting your social media use and and start focusing on yourself.
Meditate/Relax
Another very important part of improving your mental wellbeing is taking some time out of your day to relax and meditate. This won’t take long, as you probably will only need somewhere between ten and twenty minutes. Relaxing and meditating can allow you to take deep breaths and reflect upon your day. Deep breathing and meditation has been known to reduce stress levels, increase focus, and improve moods. Try taking some time out of your day to relax and meditate and you will surely see an increase in your mental wellbeing.
Sleep Right
Believe it or not, getting an adequate amount of sleep is actually one of the best things you can do for your mental well-being. A lack of sleep can result in you being irritable and not feeling like yourself. Getting the recommended amount of sleep has many health benefits that can help your mental state. You will feel well rested and ready to tackle the day. If you get the right amount of sleep for your body then you won’t have to worry about feeling tired or miserable throughout the day. Getting the right amount of sleep will allow you to feel happier and healthier and will have a major effect on your mental wellbeing.
