There are all kinds of reasons why we find ourselves feeling down in the dumps – whether it’s due to a missed job opportunity, relationship issues or a simple case of the post-holiday blues, it’s normal to find yourself in a slump every now and again. Luckily, there are some tried and tested ways to get yourself out of the rut – what can you do to be happier and nurture your mental wellbeing this summer?
Create a plan for each day – When we’re feeling sad, the days can seem to roll into one and things can quickly become disorganised. By sticking to a routine (including sleeping and eating at regular times) and tackling one day at a time, you’re less likely to become overwhelmed. To boost your wellbeing and self-esteem, set yourself small SMART targets or goals for each day (these should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) – by taking small steps, you could make rapid and tangible progress.
Get out and about – While it may be tempting to stay at home when you’re in a slump, make sure that you go out at least once a day! Social interaction, mental stimulation and physical activity are crucial if you want to maintain a healthy mind, so ensure that you take the time to get out and about, whether it’s having lunch with friends, shopping, jogging in the park or going on a solo day trip by train – travelling has been proven to improve mental wellbeing, reduce stress and broaden the mind.
Keep your mind occupied – Engaging in exercise and other practical activities is one of the easiest ways to get your mind out of a slump and meet new people. Try to keep your mind occupied by picking up therapeutic hobbies and doing the things that you’re interested in, whether that be joining a sports team, painting, writing, learning an instrument or signing up for dance classes.
Practise self-care – In order to ensure that your mental state is in tip-top condition, practise proper physical self-care – while it can be easy to lose interest in our condition when we’re feeling down, incorporate essential needs (like eating, washing and brushing your teeth) into your daily plans and take some time to reward yourself with a treat each day. To put things in perspective, consider writing a gratitude journal, in which you can list all of the positive things in your life – remember, it’s not all bad!
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