Hi everyone! I know, it’s been a while. I seem to take these sporadic breaks from blogging, and coming back with motivation to last me maybe 2-3 posts. This time, I really think I’m going to go for it. If I’m being honest, these last couple of weeks have been really hard on me mentally. I didn’t know how to separate my brain from my full-time job. My thoughts both in and out of work were focused around my stressful 8+ hours spent in the office, and the toll of not having a real break since March has taken its course. I found myself negatively talking about work all the time. Any time I opened my mouth, I felt like I was complaining about something work-related. All the negativity has taken a toll on my mental health over these summer months.
Granted, everyone is going through something – especially during COVID. Loved ones getting ill, the fear of contracting the virus, stressing out about going outside, really feeling the physical distance between your friends and family; all weighing down on every one of us. I’d be selfish to say that I have it bad. I really don’t have it bad at all. I am grateful that none of my family members, friends, and coworkers have fallen ill to the virus, my family members have jobs, my brother is still in school, I still have a job, and we have a roof over our heads with food on the table. I am privileged and I know it. But, I have learned to accept all the emotions that this year has thrown to me. It hasn’t been easy to take it all in, but I am learning to do so for my own personal growth.
It has really taken me the last couple of days to realize that I need to change the way I think and talk to myself. You know in the movies where there’s an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, talking to the main character? Well it seemed like my devil tied up the angel and it was the only one speaking into my ear. After this weekend, I decided to make a real change. If you know me, I’m a total planner. Before I dive into anything, I create lists, pros and cons tables, game plans, flow charts, you name it. I’ve compiled a list of my methods to achieve mental peace. I’ll check in at the end of August to share my thoughts and experience with my…
“5 Steps to Mental Peace”
*Disclaimer, I am no way an expert in mental health. I am sharing what I found to make myself happier and what I have learned from others*
Be mindful of the way you talk to yourself. I found myself always talking negatively, so I in turn, felt negative all the time. I couldn’t explain it, but it felt like the gray cloud above me was raining down all the time. Now, I have to make the mental effort to give myself positive affirmations. Even if I have to talk to myself out-loud and say my name! It makes me feel silly at first, but the slightest bit of silly-ness can make me feel better in a stressful situation. Being mindful of the way you talk to yourself can inspire you to do great things, and get you through the day.
Move! Physically and mentally get moving. Sometimes when I catch my thoughts encircling one topic too intensely, I move my focus temporarily to something else. Even your thoughts need a break sometimes! I like to put on a YouTube video, a short show episode (the ones that are light and not too intense are great!), or even grab out a pencil/pen and paper to doodle. After a rough day at work as much as I want to take a nap, I push myself to do some sort of exercise. On my days when it’s a real struggle to exercise, a 20-30 minute stretching session can do me wonders. It’s like the tension that builds up in my body is being streeeeetched out with every move. When I have extra energy, the pump of a strenuous weight-lifting workout makes me feel so accomplished afterwards.
Get some fresh air and sunlight. I cannot stress this enough! Especially now with the quarantines and the mandates to stay at home, it is important to get some fresh air and sunshine every day. During my lunch breaks I could stay in my office and take a nap, but I found that taking a short walk across the street to eat my lunch outside makes me feel so much better. Feeling the warmth of the sun and the breeze after hours in a stuffy building feels amazing. There are even articles that say that sunlight boosts Serotonin, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for your mood stabilization, well-being, and sense of happiness.
Take the time to do something you love. Whether that be cooking, cleaning, reading, exercising, shopping, making art, learning new things, putting on face masks, hanging out with family and friends, and even taking naps! It is important to make time for the things that are important to us. This has been something I’ve struggled with lately. I have so many hobbies that I enjoy, but I don’t prioritize them high enough to actually do them! It is actually one of my New Year’s Resolutions to get back into some of my hobbies. Just today at the end of my workout I felt like dancing. With no choreography, I just grooved to the music that shuffled on my playlist. I’m definitely not a freestyle dancer, nor have I ever enjoyed freestyling, but in the moment it felt so good to dance again. It’s actually what inspired me to write this post! Taking the time to listen to your body and give it what it’s craving (in healthy proportions of course), can be beneficial to your physical and mental health.
Sleep. Ah yes, the one-word cure to many of my problems, yet I have the hardest time following through with this one. I love staying up late. I don’t know what it is about it, but I have always been a night-owl. With my new job, waking up at 6:15am is definitely not my ideal situation. I really have to make the conscious effort to go to sleep earlier and plan my after-work schedule to line up with the hours of sleep I need. Of course, the recommended amount is 8 hours. I get close to it with 7 hours, and one day I believe that I will make it to the full 8 hours of sleep in one night. I heard it does wonders for people! I take many naps over the weekend, and that helps me to reset and recharge. Even a good 20 minute nap can lighten my mood and give me the energy to make it through to the end of the day.
Of course, I could go on and on with my list, but that can be for another time. I will do my best to stick to this, and report back to how I’m feeling at the end of August. What do you like to do to achieve mental peace? Until next time..
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