Creating a consistent mental health routine can make a big difference in your overall well-being, happiness and fulfilment. Your philosophy is based on your perspective, and if we internally define something as hard or a chore, we tend to fail in even the most simple of routines.
So, before you start to build a new routine, ask yourself how you want to shift your thinking and mindset to see the journey of self-care and mental health differently. Remember, your philosophy creates your attitude, actions and results.
First things first, if you don’t already have one, purchase a journal or diary/planner. After all, routines start with organisation, structure and consistency.
Here are our 5 tips for a mental health routine that works:
1. Determine what makes you happy and do it every day
This could come down to the most simple things such as enjoying your morning coffee at your local cafe, going for a walk with your dog, sweating it out at the gym, having a hot bath or cup of tea after a day of work.
A top tip to make this consistent is to write it in a journal or planner at the start of the week and tick it off each day. Finding things that make you happy and doing them each day will shift your mindset from thinking that routine is monotonous or a “chore” but rather something you look forward to, and a non-negotiable for your day.
3. Figure out what triggers a bad day
If you can figure out what makes you anxious, stressed or feel uneasy within your day or week, write it down and decide what you can do to stop the pattern from happening. This could be anything from noticing that certain days of the week bring more stress to you at work, or which people in your life don’t serve you. Once you notice a pattern and what causes a bad day or week, you can act intuitively to deal with them better or have less of them.
4. Choose what you ‘take in’ each day
The content you consume on social media, tv or in books has a huge impact on how you see yourself and what you value. Think about the time you spend scrolling on social media with a feeling of self-doubt, jealousy or angst toward the lives of people you see.
Then imagine how you would feel if you didn’t have to see the things that made you feel that way. Let’s call it a social media breakup. Although hard, unfollowing people who don’t serve your purpose or fill your cup can make you realise a lot about yourself and take away factors that push you toward a person you don’t want to be.
5. Choose what people you interact with each day
You know the saying, “your vibe attracts your tribe?’ – live by that! If you can choose who you spend time with in your day you will notice how different you feel when you spend time around people who don’t lift you up or allow you to feel yourself. Staying true to yourself can help you send out the right “vibe” that ultimately creates the people you spend most of your time with.
5. Use resources around you that align with you
There are so many tools and resources online and around you – but finding the right tools that speak to you can be a journey and something that constantly changes as you go through different stages in your life. Do your research and find tools that work for you and that you enjoy.
Depending on your goals or mindset at the time, try and write down when you will use them throughout the week to stay proactive. This could look like writing in your diary when to listen to your favourite weekly podcast or what days you will leave work early to complete an online program or course.
Happiness Co has a range of online programs for mental wellbeing as well as a daily 10-minute podcast which you can listen to here.
If you are interested in any online programs, live workshops or would like to learn more about what we offer. Head to our website.