Mental Health

Everyday mental maintenance: daily habits for mental wellbeing

Find out why the little and often approach could be the most effective for supporting your mental wellbeing

We manage to make time for daily physical maintenance, like brushing teeth, showering and cleansing our faces, right? So why shouldn’t we prioritise our mental maintenance habits in the same way? Taking daily steps to look after our mental health and wellness is more effective than a sticking plaster approach.

So instead of burning the candle at both ends then looking for quick fixes, think about the simple habits you can create to support your wellness. Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas for everyday mental maintenance from clinical hypnotherapist, author and host of The Calmer You Podcast Chloe Brotheridge.

Check-in with yourself

Make it a habit to regularly check in with yourself and assess how you feel emotionally, mentally, and physically. By reflecting on your thoughts, emotions and how you feel physically, you can identify areas where you may need to make adjustments or seek support. You might not realise you’re holding tension in your stomach, or you’re in a spiral of worrying until you check in. Set a diary reminder in your calendar or pop a Post-it next to your laptop to remind yourself to check in with yourself during the day. This practice encourages self-awareness and can help you take action where needed.

Make time for laughter

A daily dose of laughter is the best medicine. A 2020 study found that laughter helped people to manage stressful experiences.

Try watching a funny video on Youtube, joining a laughter yoga class, making time for stand-up comedy or sharing your favourite memes in your friends’ Whatsapp groups.

Make space for your emotions

It’s important to acknowledge and accept your emotions, both positive and negative. Suppressing or avoiding emotions can create anxiety, stress and tension in the body and could even show up as physical symptoms like IBS or skin rashes. When we feel our feelings, the energy can move through us and be processed. Create a safe space for yourself to feel and process these emotions. This could be journaling, walking through the park with no distractions, or talking to someone you trust. There’s a saying: ‘You’ve got to heal it to feel it’, so give yourself the time and space to feel and heal.

Be open with others

Sharing thoughts and feelings with friends, family, or a mental health professional can help alleviate emotional stress. It’s all about processing your thoughts and feelings so you don’t hold onto them and carry them with you. Next time someone asks you how you are, be honest, especially if you’re someone who usually says, ‘I’m fine’, then changes the subject. You could get into the habit of asking others, ‘How are you, really?’ to foster more open discussions.

Take the time to be alone

While socialising and engaging with others is essential for mental health, making time for solitude is also crucial. Spending time alone can help you recharge, reflect, and better understand yourself. We need time and space alone to tap into our intuition and what’s right for us. Many people find that it’s while relaxing alone that they come up with their best creative ideas. It can be as simple as setting aside time each day for quiet reflection, journalling, breathing techniques, playing your musical instrument, or sitting alone in a café or restaurant.

Natural remedies for mental maintenance

Incorporate natural remedies like the Bach Original Flower Remedies into your daily routine. These remedies are easy and gentle to use and can be tailored to meet your needs and preferences. Popping drops in your water glass or bottle is a simple way to add flower remedies into your daily routine. Each essence corresponds to a specific emotion or feeling you may be experiencing. Adding these remedies, you can proactively support your emotional well-being and maintain a balanced mind.

Taking care of your mental health is an ongoing process that requires commitment and consistency. By practising everyday mental maintenance through self-curiosity and activities that support your emotional well-being, you can create a solid foundation for good mental health.