Daily Habits
What are some good practices that promote wellness and mental health?
There are many good habits, practices, and activities for maintaining wellness and mental health and recovering balance when you feel a little off-your-game or stressed. There’s no way to list them all. Here are a few to get you started.
Sleep
- Rest deeply and regularly
- Go to bed and wake at the same times every day
- Include quiet and calm activities before sleep
- Avoid caffeine after 12 pm
Nutrition
- Drink water and other healthy fluids with little to no sugar, caffeine, or alcohol
- Eat healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables
- Pack a healthy snack of fruits and vegetables every day
- Avoid fast-food, food from vending machines, and those with a lot of salt, sugar, saturated fat, partially hydrogenated oil, and wheat-based carbohydrates
Exercise
- Move your body uninterrupted at least 20 minutes per day (e.g., walk, jog, dance, stretch, lift)
- Take a walk during lunch and other breaks
- Use stairs instead of elevators when you can
Mindfulness
- Slow down
- Breathe deeply and intentionally and settle into a natural, calm state
- Plant your feet firmly on the floor or ground and notice your connection to the earth and its soothing energy
- Be curious
- Pay close attention to and enjoy what you are doing in the moment without judgement of self, others, and situations
- Notice your feelings and thoughts without judgement
- Accurately name your emotions to own the energy and use it for positive change
- Honor your feelings of safety and danger and take action to care for yourself and others
Social Connections