Having the right state of mental health is a great contributing factor to your general well-being. Being mentally healthy allows you to effectively manage your thoughts and emotions and take more risks. It’s said that robust mental health helps you cope with difficult situations without getting sucked into them. 

While the topic of mental health has gained much attention in the consciousness of the American public, more people are reportedly still experiencing mental problems. It’s recommended that you take a route to gain sound and strong mental wellness.

When it comes to enhancing your mental status, you may hear others, including healthcare professionals in different states in the country like Oregon, talk about different relaxation methods, eating healthily, doing exercises, and attending therapy. Although these traditional techniques can elevate your mental situation, there are still a few unconventional ways in which you can try to help boost your mental health before it deteriorates further. In fact, some of these methods are so unusual that you’ve probably never thought of doing them before.  

Here are eight life hacks strategies you can do to strengthen your mental health. Continue reading to learn more.

• Jump On The Bed 

You’ve probably tried jumping on your bed when you were still a child. If you can still remember, you often felt excited and overjoyed every time your parents were away and you had all the bed to yourself. But did you know that jumping on the bed as an adult can also boost your mental health?  

Doing this will help you reconnect with your inner playful child and can be an effective technique to shake off the stress and just have fun. In short, it’s said that jumping on your bed can be the quickest way to access joy and lift your moods. So, whenever you’re feeling stressed or frustrated about adult things, you can go to your bedroom and jump on your bed until you feel free and at ease.  

• Talk To Yourself 

This may sound silly, but talking to yourself can positively impact your mental health. It’s said that every time you talk to yourself, it forces you to slow down, unleash your hidden thoughts or emotions, and process them differently. This will also help reorganize your mind. Suppressing your thoughts is believed to eventually cause you to feel stressed, anxious, or irritated. So, whenever things start to feel overwhelming, give yourself some privacy, and talk to yourself. 

Meanwhile, suppose you’re having difficulty talking with yourself. In that case, it may also be best to speak with a professional from Insight Northwest Counseling Portland or other mental health counseling within your area. Talking is instrumental in ensuring that you can cope with the problem and having a professional with you can help you process your feelings and feel less alone.  

• Try The Laugh Therapy 

It may sound ironic to force yourself to laugh when you’re in the middle of a stressful situation. But the truth is, laugh therapy can help improve your emotional and mental well-being. Every time you laugh or at least smile, your brain produces more dopamine. Dopamine is the chemical responsible for your feelings of happiness; it’s also considered a natural painkiller. 

Thus, whenever you’re feeling down or troubled about something, give yourself a break and listen to a comedy podcast, watch a funny movie, or read a comedy book. Anything that makes you laugh out loud is good for your mental health. 

• Sing Or Dance As Often As You Can 

Singing and dancing aren’t only meant for talented people. These activities can also be a great technique to enhance your mental health. 

Every time you sing, the musical vibrations will travel through your body and positively alter your emotions. This also promotes your body’s production of endorphins linked with feelings of happiness and pleasure. And so, you feel calmer and more at ease.  

Just like singing, dancing can also do wonders for your mental health. Aside from being an excellent form of physical exercise, dancing can also improve your mood and cognitive skills. Dancing also allows you to socialize and make new friends when you attend dance classes, such as Zumba classes, belly dancing, contemporary dances, or any social event that involves moving to the beat.   

• Do Bird Watching

Perhaps you’ve been too busy with your work and other responsibilities that sometimes, you forget to take a moment to pause and stay in the moment. Unfortunately, the less mindful you live your life, the more stressful it’ll be for yourself, especially your mental health. One way to help you de-stress and strengthen your mental health is to stay still and watch the birds from the outdoors. You can have a birdwatching session from your bedroom window, garden view, office window, or seashore.  

Watching birds of any kind is said to be helpful in lowering the chances of you falling into depression, stress, and anxiety. Further, birdwatching, also considered interaction with nature, can improve your moods and promote healing. So, set a few minutes of your day to check the outdoors and watch the birds.  

• Cook Your Own Meals 

Cooking may seem like a chore for most people, but in reality, it’s also beneficial for your mental health. It’s a form of creative expression since it gives you the freedom to experiment with different flavors and create favorable tastes. Plus, every time you cook, you tend to focus on the task, practice patience, and be mindful. Once you’re done cooking, being able to provide food for your family will make you feel good about yourself and eventually boost your self-esteem. 

• Clean Your Bathroom 

Like cooking, some people also consider bathroom cleaning just a simple household chore, and others would even dread doing it. But on a positive note, cleaning your bathroom can also help reduce stress and anxiety. Since your bathroom is much smaller and more contained than the rest of the rooms in the house, it’s not too overwhelming to tidy up. 

Although the idea of dealing with grime or mold when you clean the floors or toilet may seem gross, seeing the after results can boost your mood and signal your brain to release positive hormones as a means of rewarding you for a job well done. 

• Consider Journaling  

When you think about journaling, most people associate it with writing study journals, research papers, or lengthy essays in school. But the thing is, journaling can be a great way of controlling your emotions and feelings, affecting your mental health. When you write down your thoughts and feelings, it gives you an overview of whatever you’re going through and puts them into perspective.  

Thus, consider keeping a journal dedicated to writing down three things you are grateful for every day. You may also expand on the things you want to write about, such as your daily, monthly, or weekly achievements. Jolting down your wins and accomplishments can boost your mental health and make you feel good about yourself. 

Alternatively, you can also write down your thoughts and feelings that bother you to release your stress and frustration, which helps boost your mental health.   

Key Takeaway 

Mental health is vital in ensuring your general health and well-being and keeping you safe from thinking of self-harm. So, if you ever find yourself with deteriorating mental health or stuck in stressful situations, you may want to try unconventional methods before choosing a medication. As a golden rule, it’s always ideal to consult with a professional to guide you toward the right course of action in achieving sound and resilient mental health.