three ways to practice mental self-care
Today Is World Mental Health Day! The World Health Organization states that this day is meant to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
No matter what you’re doing today, a great way to contribute to World Mental Health Day is by contemplating your own mental health.
What do you think about when you hear the word mental health?
For me, I think of self-care — taking care of your mental state to be able to persevere through struggles and live your best life.. But I also think of mental health in a different sense.
What about those mental self-care activities that are just for the health of your mind? You know, the ones to keep your mind sharp and healthy? The mind is a muscle that needs exercise every now and then in order to stay healthy. So in honor of World Mental Health Day, here are three “unconventional” ways you can practice mental self-care.
1) Puzzles
How do you keep your mind “sharp”? I love using puzzles or other strategy games that require me to think. In fact, I like to play a few strategy games early in the morning during the week to help wake up my mind. Some of my favorites are Sudoku (level hard only), Wordle, Quordle…really any game that requires strategy and analysis!
2) Reading
Of course, reading keeps your mind sharp! This is true no matter the genre (so yes, even smut lol). When I read a word I don't know, I take a few moments to look it up in the dictionary (that could be the nerd in me). If you are struggling with reading, start with an easy goal, like ready 10 pages or a chapter per day. Every page counts! Also pick a genre that interests you! There is absolutely no reason to read the “classics” or historical fiction if you love thrillers or romance novels.
3) Learn something new.
When is the last time you learned something new? Better yet, when is the last time you learned something new for yourself and not for your job/career?
I LOVE learning a new topic of my choice!
One good thing about Al Gore’s Internet is that you can learn anything you want at the click of a button. Want to learn a new language? Try DuoLingo. Want to learn about finance and the stock market? Try this free “Financial Markets” course from Coursera, a website with some of the courses taught by professors at Harvard, Yale and more.
What’s one “unconventional” mental self-care activity you can add to your daily routines?