How to Creatively Boost Your Mental Health

Author: Cheryl Conklin for thy.self

You’ve probably heard a multitude of suggestions about how to improve your mental health.

The same old advice never ceases in popularity - healthy eating, exercising and reducing stress - whilst certainly valid and important, there are other, more creative ways to boost your mental health and they can be more accessible than you realise. Read on to discover more of them from thy.self.

Yoga

Sounds basic but yoga really is a powerful tool - if it works for you. With its unique combination of physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation, Yoga has been shown to significantly reduce stress and anxiety, contributing to improved mental health. Regular practice helps increase body awareness, relieves chronic stress patterns, and promotes relaxation, all of which enhance psychological well-being.

Reading

There’s nothing quite like escaping into a good story to give your mental health a boost. Whether you bury your nose in a good book or settle down with your favourite movie, a couple of hours of release from the real world can make you feel much better.

Optimal Home

Optimising your home environment plays a crucial role in promoting overall health and well-being. Start by decluttering your space, as a tidy and organised home reduces stress and creates a more calming atmosphere. Next, focus on maximising natural light, which can boost your mood, improve sleep, and enhance productivity. Open curtains or rearrange furniture to allow as much sunlight in as possible.

Additionally, consider the role of your kitchen in encouraging healthy eating habits. Stocking your kitchen/ pantry and refrigerator with nutritious options and setting up your kitchen in a way that makes cooking enjoyable and accessible can significantly influence your dietary choices.

By decluttering, welcoming natural light, and fostering healthy eating, you transform your home into a sanctuary that supports both your physical and mental health. Be intentional with this and let us know what it did for you.

Music

Music is a perfect choice for coping with challenging times. Create a playlist of your favourite cheerful and upbeat songs, and have it handy when you’re starting to feel ‘up against it’. Crank up the volume and don’t hesitate to sing along.

No time for creating a playlist? Follow thy.self’s playlists for every type of mood possible here.

Indoor Plants

Indoor plants not only add aesthetic value to your space, but they also have significant mental health benefits. Studies have shown that indoor plants can reduce stress levels, boost mood, and improve concentration and productivity. They are also known to increase humidity and reduce levels of certain pollutants, creating a healthier living environment.

To reap these benefits, it’s essential to properly care for your indoor plants. Consult your local Home Garden Hero for expert tips and care instructions. Their guidance can help you maintain healthy, thriving plants, providing an avenue for relaxation and mental well-being right in your home.

Relocating

Relocating can serve as a psychological & breakpoint; allowing for deep self-reflection and a reevaluation of one’s life, which can lead to improved mental health. Additionally, moving to a new environment can reduce stressors that contribute to depression, and befriending strangers in a new location can enhance cognitive abilities and boost mood. To start your journey towards better mental health through relocation, consider browsing online listings to find an affordable rental that suits your needs for short-let and always let someone trusting know your plans for safety.

Arts and Crafts

Were crafts once your go-to hobby? If so, revisit that! Arts & crafts activities can help boost your mental health by giving you relaxation and satisfaction with tangible results. Always have some kind of project going that you can turn to after a rough day. You’re likely to find your concentration sharper, your mood brighter, and your spirits lifted.

Collecting Things

Don’t think of collecting things as hording. Whilst it may seem strange, try to think of collecting as therapy, because it actually can be. Whether you collect pottery or postcards, you can have a wonderful time studying and searching for your favourite items. Part of the fun of collecting is the hunt, and you can enjoy digging through thrift stores, browsing antique stores, and finding bargains through online auctions. You’re also likely to be thrilled to display your latest find or a perfect home for them.

Laughter

Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine because it can make you feel great. You may binge-watch your favourite sitcom, indulge in a series of hilarious animal videos online, or crack up over misheard song lyrics or embarrassing autocorrect gaffes. A good giggle can make you feel a lot better. Make this a priority today.

Friendship

When you’re feeling out of sorts or down, make an effort to connect with your friends. Even a quick phone call can lift your spirits, but a lunch, movie, sporting event, or walk in the park with a friend is even better. Your friend can provide a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or a much needed chuckle.

Outreach

Friendships are cool but it would be foolish to expect everyone reading this to have supportive friends. In this day and age, sadly having #friendshipgoals can feel like luck of the drawer or a privilege but thankfully there is another alternative. You can also improve your mental health by reaching out to others who are struggling. That may mean spending some time with a neighbour who needs help, visiting an elderly relative, writing a letter to an old friend you haven’t seen for a while or even joining a collective or community like ours! Join the thy.self WhatsApp Chat or our Community Newsletter here. You can get your mind off your problems by reaching out.

We hope this article has been useful to you! It’s important to remember, that mental health boosts (like mental health conditions themselves) can come in all shapes and sizes, so choose the one that is right for you. Whether you choose to start a new business, laugh with friends, relocate to a new home, or stretch your mind and body, it is important to prioritise your mental health and find your own ways to find balance.

One last reminder!

thy.self is a disruptive wellness brand, challenging the norms of what wellness looks like, diversifying the wellness industry and actualising self-care and self-love in an inclusive and relatable way. Get in touch here to see how we can support you as an individual or a business/ organisation.