Mental health is an integral part of our lives, and we must take care of it. It is ingrained in daily tasks from interacting with others to ourselves on an intimate level.
Here are some tips to help you protect your mental health:
1. Breathe
Literally “Stop and smell the roses” when life becomes too much. Try to be in the moment and be present. Pause for a second, minute, or however long it takes for YOU! Try yoga or meditation to find stillness within yourself- these are wonderful methods to release stress and anxiety. Take time out for yourself as often as you can. According to research, different emotions are associated with different types of breathing, so simply changing how we breathe can affect how we feel. When you are happy, for example, your breathing will be regular, deep, and slow. When you are anxious or angry, your breathing becomes irregular, short, quick, and shallow. When you practice breathing patterns associated with various emotions, you will begin to feel those emotions. Next time the emotions are near, put your hand over your chest, close your eyes, and feel your chest rise and fall. Breathing does wonders!
2. Speak Positively
This encourages positive things to happen. It's as simple as that: "put good in... get good out." Negativity is never productive and only leads to more negativity. Only focus on the positive and avoid negative people as much as possible. Studies show a direct correlation between negative thinking and poor health, so keep your mindset positive and focus on what you want in life. Let’s be realistic for a moment, we know we cannot just “cut-off” those negative thoughts and emotions- but finding a healthy balance (more positive) between the two does wonders for the soul.
3. Unplug
everything and eliminate all the chaos [noise]. Unplug all devices – phone goes into airplane or do not disturb mode for a certain period of time, television, computers, all smart devices, log out of all social media accounts - to quiet the mind and be one with yourself. You would be amazed at how peaceful life can really be.
According to numerous studies, technology makes our brains less effective at problem solving and creative thinking. So put away your phones and go for a walk instead! Reduce your screen time and focus on what's really important in your life. Listen to soothing music and try to meditate every day for 5 minutes to clear your mind. Being disconnected with the outside world can help us reconnect with our true selves and help us become happier, 
healthier human beings. Wellness never looked and felt so dam good!
4. Alone Time
Some call it “Me Time.” This time is critical for developing mental strength. Begin with five minutes of uninterrupted time each day. Bring peace to your world during this time. Do whatever makes you happy during that time; read a book, listen to music, meditate, write in a journal, etc. It is your time to reconnect with yourself and enjoy some quiet time. This will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed. Try to have at least one full day each week to yourself with absolutely no distractions. Studies show a clear link between happiness and time spent alone; people who value solitude tend to be happier than those who don't. So make time to spend with yourself as often as you can!
5. Ecotherapy
Make contact and connect with nature. Try the art of grounding by walking barefoot in the grass (we will discuss this in later post). Consider what the universe is attempting to tell you. Meditation in nature can clear your mind of all clutter and give you a sense of clarity while strengthening your inner being. Let the sunlight shine on your face and feel its warmth as it penetrates your skin and fills you with positive energy. Communing with nature is essential to maintaining your health and your happiness. According to recent studies, being exposed to nature relieves stress, boosts mood, improves sleep, and reduces pain and inflammation in the body. When we're surrounded by natural beauty, we feel more calm and peaceful which has a huge impact on our well-being. Spend time outdoors every day to revitalize your spirit and release any negative energy you may have accumulated throughout the day.
6. Challenge Yourself
The mind and body gets bored with doing the same tasks over and over again. Step outside of your comfort zone, whether it's by cooking a new healthy meal or trying yoga for the first time. Taking on a new challenge is good for your mental health, it stimulates different pathways to be built in the mind, and will help build self-confidence. By pushing past our comfort zones we are building emotional and physical resilience and preparing ourselves to handle future obstacles and challenges in life. Studies show a link between taking on challenges and positive feelings such as joy, excitement, pride, inspiration, motivation, purpose, and greater life satisfaction. There’s no greater feeling that accomplishing something and it’s your first time doing it.
Support
Why are we all afraid to use and access our support system and tools? Use Fly Trap Yoga Health & Wellness accessories. These yoga accessories will decompress and align your spine, minimize aches and pains, and reduce stress and tension. In addition to providing all the benefits of a regular yoga practice, these tools are designed to increase circulation and promote better health. You'll feel like you're flying- seriously! Practicing yoga has proven benefits such as improved posture, strengthened muscles, and improved flexibility and mobility. To top it all off, it's fun and relaxing too!
8. Control
Believe it or not…. We do not have control over anything! So why spend time on trying. Never spend time and/or energy on things you have no control over, which is almost everything in life. When this happens, take a step back and assess the situation. "Everything happens for a reason," I always say. Remember that you cannot change other people's actions, only your own response to their actions. If you feel like something is unjust or unfair in your life, trust that the universe is working in your favor, even when you can't feel or see it in motion. The more you trust in the universe's plan for you, the happier you will be.
Wrap Up:
Take care of your mental health – following steps from this guide is only a nice introduction into the mental health realm. This takes time. Be patient with you, love you. And don’t forget to tell yourself that. Oh yea… Don’t forget to breathe.