It’s been a while since I took a moment to share how I’m genuinely doing. As many of you know, mental health can be a rollercoaster, and I want to provide an honest update on my current state. Mental health-wise, I’m pleased to say that my depression is at bay at the moment. While it’s reassuring, anxiety still lingers in the background, as it often does for many of us. Over the years, I’ve learned to manage it better by recognising my triggers and avoiding certain situations that tend to heighten my anxiety levels. This awareness has been instrumental in my journey toward feeling more balanced.
Managing anxiety is not just about avoiding triggers; it’s also about finding effective coping mechanisms. I’ve discovered that simple practices, like taking deep breaths or stepping outside for fresh air, can make a world of difference when I start to feel overwhelmed. In the past, I might have ignored those feelings, leading to further stress. Now, I try to listen to my body and mind when they signal for a break or a change of scenery. I’ve also been attentive to my body, realising that both diet and exercise play a significant role in mental health. I adhere strictly to regimented workouts or diets. This approach, which has helped me maintain a healthier mindset. I’ve been sticking to a 90/10 diet, where I aim to eat clean, whole foods 90% of the time, allowing myself some freedom to indulge the other 10%. This method has made a noticeable difference in how I feel overall. Listening to my body has become a priority. If I’m hungry, I eat; if I’m not, I don’t. It’s interesting to consider how long humans have existed without strict meal times. The notion of breakfast, lunch, and dinner is relatively new in the grand scheme of things. I believe this rigid structure contributes to why many people struggle with their weight today. We often eat simply because the clock says it’s time, rather than paying attention to our bodies' actual signals. This phenomenon can swing both ways. Some individuals may eat despite not being hungry because it’s “dinner time,” while others may skip meals even when they’re hungry because it’s not “breakfast or lunch time.” Additionally, calorie counting often leads to unnecessary stress around food, when our bodies usually provide the right cues about whether we’re eating too little or too much. The idea of calorie counting often creates a toxic relationship with food, where it becomes a numbers game rather than a source of nourishment. Workouts have also played a significant role in my mental well-being since I started home workouts last year. Although I don’t always look forward to exercising, I know that my body will thank me afterward, which is why I’ve managed to do back-to-back 30-day workout plans for the last year or so without any real breaks in between. I’ve learned that rest days are important, but since I target different muscle groups each day, it hasn’t been an issue. Having a structured workout routine is crucial for success, whether you’re hitting the gym or working out at home. Going in without a plan usually yields mediocre results, at best. Another aspect that has significantly helped my mental health is journaling. Long-time readers of my blog will know I’ve always been a huge advocate for this practice. I use my blog to share thoughts, but I also have a physical journal where I write whenever the mood strikes me. Sometimes, I won’t use it for weeks, while other times, I jot down my thoughts daily. It’s comforting to know it’s there, serving as a straightforward way to practise self-care. Everyone has access to a pen and notepad, so I encourage anyone to give journaling a try. What do you have to lose? Over the past six months, I’ve also rediscovered my love for reading. I've always enjoyed it, but in my twenties, I was constantly immersed in books, finishing one and picking up another immediately. Life got busier in my thirties, which led to a noticeable drop in my reading time. It wasn’t that I no longer enjoyed it; I was simply busy living. Now, in my late thirties, I’ve rekindled that passion, finding more time to sit and read in this quieter, drama-free life I’ve cultivated for myself. It’s also a great alternative to screen time. I used to lose hours scrolling through TikTok, consuming mindless content. Reducing screen time has positively impacted my life, especially given the negativity prevalent in today’s online culture. So overall, I’m doing alright. I find that establishing a routine helps significantly with my mental health. Good food, quitting smoking and drinking, journaling, reading, and getting early nights, alongside cultivating a quiet, private, and drama-free life, are all vital components in my ongoing effort to improve my mental health day by day. Comments are closed.
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