MENTAL HEALTH BOOSTS
MENTAL HEALTH BOOSTS
How to get motivated, the easy way.
When I woke up this morning, it was like my brain was offline. There was no feeling. No thoughts. No motivation. So I used the only tool of mine that requires no brain power, I walked.
When pressure and stressors make you want to rush, do this.
You have a growing mental list of #allthethings and boom, stress strikes! You just want to rush it and escape that uncomfortable feeling of pressure. But what you really need to do, is get calm and get centered. Try this.
Your 40M brain cells need you to get this.
Serotonin is known to affect mood, but did you know it also helps with your sleep, digestion and even how well your immune system responds?
Whether or not you experience full depressive episodes, symptoms, or just down days, it’s important to recognize that serotonin might be playing a role. Serotonin deficiency is known to wreak havoc on you. It can show up as insomnia, digestive issues, low mood, anxiety and so much more.
Sometimes You Just Need a Mom Hug
Hugs are an age-old and universal way to communicate emotion, and help to regulate emotions by decreasing stress and increasing resilience. When you need a hug, and have a safe person to seek out, do it and ask for a hug.
Earthing/Barefeet: Not Just for Kids and Hippies
Science says et outside with no shoes and walk in the grass, the sand, the dirt. Go barefoot whenever you can and it is safe to do so. Let your feet get dirty, you can always wash them before bed!
The Anticipation Trick
The positive experience of looking forward to something has a name when it comes to behavioral economic theory: Utility of Anticipation. Take it from noted author Thomas Hardy, “Pleasure not known beforehand is half-wasted; to anticipate it is to double it.” (The Return of the Native)
Stop it with the “I’m FIne” BS
Isolation doesn't just happen when we are physically apart from our circle. You can be with your people, AND hiding in plain sight. This is the “I’m fine” story playing out, and it can lead to an even more devastating feeling of loneliness than actually being alone.
Feeling Guilty?
Guilt makes you want to confess, it’s an evolutionary thing, but so is avoiding admitting wrong.
The Frustration Intervention
Controlling your frustration can be, well, frustrating. Here's how to intervene and gain back your control before frustration completely takes over.
Stick it to Your Next Blah Day
It’s not exactly a bad day, because nothing ”bad” has happened. And it’s not some full-on depressive episode. It just feels… blah.
Fight Seasonal Depression (SAD) with Science.
Welcome to January, the season of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), better known as seasonal depression. Here’s how to fight back, naturally.
Moon Jar Activity
Help your kids decorate and label three jars/containers/piggy banks: one for saving, one for spending, and one for sharing. Not only does this model generosity, but scientists have found that giving stimulates the reward center in the brain — releasing endorphins and creating what is known as the “helper’s high.”
Guilt, Shame And Halloween Candy
Guilt and shame. Both contribute to feelings of stress, anxiety and depression, and can drive you to eat more sugar. Happy Halloween!?!
Fall Into A First, As in a first date with yourself.
You know you need a break, but taking yourself on a date seems not only selfish, but frivolous. It's neither. Do it, love it, and activate the play areas in your brain, reaping the bounty of rewarding brain chemicals.