Terri Ramsey Beavers We all want to be as healthy and happy as possible, which is why most of us are starting to take out mental health more seriously than ever before.
We meditate, go to therapy at OCP, and make sure we get enough vitamin D so that we can keep our brains happy and healthy, but unfortunately, many of us may be unwittingly sabotaging our mental health by doing, or not doing as the case may be, one of the following surprising things that can affect mental wellbeing:
Spending time indoors
Most of us spend most of our time indoors whether it’s at the office for work or when we’re chilling out at home, and of course, we cannot simply give up spending time indoors, but what we can all do is take more time to get outside and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Sunlight is great for our mood and allows us to process vitamin D, which is vital for brain health. Not only that, but nature itself has been shown to have a calming effect on the human body, so if you can be outdoors, you should be outdoors.
How often you laugh
Laughter is, as they say, the best medicine. Numerous studies have shown that people who laugh, even when they are faking it, will feel less depressed than individuals who are not laughing. So, you should make it your mission in life to laugh as often as possible, and ideally, your laughter should be genuine. Watch your favourite comedy show, hang out with funny friends, and make more time to laugh.
Owning a pet
Owning a pet, specifically, a dog, is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. Studies have found that spending time with a dog can lower your blood pressure, reduce your stress levels, alleviate depression, and even lengthen your lifespan, so if you do not already have a dog, and you would be willing to take good care of one, it could be one of the best things you ever do for yourself.
Poor posture
We all know that poor posture can cause aches and pains to arise, but did you know that the way you hold yourself can also affect your mental health? If you stoop a lot. It will make you feel more unhappy than if you stand or sit up straight and that is why it is worth working on your posture and taking regular breaks to stand up and move around if you are stuck at a desk all day.
Your friends
If you have good friends who are always positive and happy, then chances are you will be happier. If you have, however, friends who are negative all the time, chances are you will feel unhappy and depressed too. If you find yourself struggling with negative influences in your social circle, seeking guidance from therapists in Portland or in your local area can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms and build a supportive network for your mental well-being.
Now that you know all of the above can affect your mental health, you can hopefully avoid negative activities in the future and do more of the good stuff to improve your emotional well-being significantly.