Being “healthy” is so hard to maintain as it pertains to your overall well-being, which can be so overwhelming when you break it all down into physical fitness, mental wellness, and emotional health. It’s too hard to balance it all!
I’ve been there. Thinking that being a happy, healthy, mentally stable person is too much work. I got depressed, gained 50+ pounds, and I felt like I was going through the motions and not really happy. Until I implemented these 3 things into my life, which I am going to share with you!
In this blog post, I will be going over the 3 life hacks that led to a happier, and more mentally stable me. You know, that girl!
So if you have tried and tried and tried again to promote mental and emotional well-being; all while going to work or school, maintaining relationships with the people in your life, etc, then this blog is for you!
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Life Hack #1 – Therapy
That girl is about self-empowerment and promoting physical, mental and emotional health. The backbone to wellness is having a good, stable state of mind. So we’ll start with my number one tip on promoting mental wellness! Therapy!
Now, I know what you’re thinking… you’ve heard this before, have tried it, and it didn’t work. I totally get it. It’s hard finding a therapist, spending money to see said therapist, having the energy to work through previous traumas and coming up with a plan to combat issues in every day life due to these traumas. Especially since it might have taken up a lot of energy to acknowledge and make your mind up to get help.
I’ve been there too. But I can honestly tell you that therapy changed my life. Even if you do it for 6 months it will benefit you. I recommend CBT – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. You can chat with your therapist about past traumas, things that happened last week that bothered you, or whatever you want. The therapist will help you understand your reaction to these situations and how to turn these reactions around so that we can reduce the risk of getting too depressed or anxious to the point of dysfunction.
If you’re having a hard time getting in with a therapist, I have a few suggestions!
I have personally reached out to these online platforms and would recommend at least checking them out. Therapy can be a little pricey but some of these suggestions allow for texting with your therapist throughout the week! Online-Therapy, Talkspace, and Betterhelp are all online platforms to try out. Talkspace will even check to see if your health insurance will cover your therapy through their platform!
UPDATE: Betterhelp is giving away one month of free therapy if you sign up by December 5, 2024! Click here for more information.
Another way to find a therapist is to log in to your health insurance and look up providers in your area. I personally enjoy online/phone therapy better but you can find in-person (and online) therapists in your area that way.
Life Hack #2 – Start your day with intention
Another way to maintain or improve your mental and emotional health is by starting your day out right with a morning routine. This life hack will tie into the next!
A common struggle with mental health disorders like depression and anxiety is having the energy and mental preparedness to actually do the things we need or want to do in a day.
I’ve tried multiple things to get myself going in the morning and I’ve been the most successful when I plan the night before, to get up and commit to one thing that day. And then I get up and do something for myself first rather than jump into the chore I need to get done.
Even if you have things to do, deadlines to meet, I think starting your day with intention and care is the best way. Wake up, wash your face, brush your teeth, put your favorite fuzzy socks on, and walk to the kitchen to make some coffee, tea, or hot chocolate (I’m obsessed with hot cocoa!)
Try to remember that making our day-to-day about our to-do lists and meeting goals and deadlines, may be the reason we’re in a bout of depression or struggling with anxiety. The old saying “stop and smell the roses” comes to mind when I find myself trying to check off every item/chore/goal without taking a break. Life is what we make it, so make your days count when you need them to but sit down and enjoy the morning air with your hot drink before jumping into it all.
So start your day with intention and keep your mental health in mind when you do.
Life Hack #3 – Give your day direction
So this life hack ties in with starting your day with intention. A to-do list will set the tone of your day, but remember that you get to create that tone!
During depressive episodes, boost your self-esteem by guiding your day with, and completing your to-do list.
Now, I am not encouraging long lists here. Especially if you’re in the midst of a very difficult time.
Make a to-do list that includes the following things:
- something to do with getting dressed or ready for the day
- One or two easy to moderately difficult tasks
- One or two wind down activities
A daily to-do list isn’t about completing the most tasks in one day. It is to be used as a reminder and a guide for how you want your day to go.
You can put vague tasks on your list like “get ready for the day” or specific tasks like “clean the microwave.” Don’t forget your wind down reminder though! I like to use something like “relax/tea time” which I typically do in the evening before bed.
You can find out more about why winding down and having a nighttime routine is important in my post next week!
Make realistic to-do lists and take your time with your tasks, enjoy your day, make time for self care, and remember to be kind to yourself.
That’s it. The point of implementing these life hacks is to not make it hard on yourself. The point is to guide yourself back to a more stable state of mind, even becoming content, productive, and back to yourself again. Just like ‘that girl.’
These life hacks really helped me settle back into who I really am and take control of my well-being. It was very hard to do in the beginning but as the days went by, it got easier because it became a habit.
Start your day right.
Once I learned these tips and implemented them into my life, I felt like I had more control over my feelings, my day, and ultimately, my life! I finally had a routine that was achievable, I had energy, I was happy, and I felt like THAT GIRL!
I want this for you too! If you’re ready to focus on working on being the best version of you, I urge you to get started with looking into therapy, getting a bulk supply of your favorite morning drink, and setting your day up with success with a notebook for your to-do list! I love this one!
Thinking of you all.
xoxo Jen
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