As a new year rolls in and new priorities and goals start to be your focus, is your mental health one of them? 2019 was a huge year for mental health awareness, as has every year prior in recent times. We as humans are becoming more and more aware of mental health conditions, so why will 2020 be any different?
It is often easy to dismiss your mental health because someone will always feel worse than you. But even if you don’t have depression, anxiety, bipolar, any mental health condition, you still need to look after your brain.
Learn to take a break
As a blogger and social media content creator, I know it can be quite easy to get locked into working on my content on my days off from my 9-5 job. I am very self-motivated so I just kind of gravitate towards working on my blog when I have some downtime, rather than taking that time out to chill. In recent months though I’ve reminded myself more that I need to put down my computer and enjoy some time doing something else. I actually bought myself a new Xbox recently to remind myself it’s okay to take a break doing something I really enjoy and can lose myself in.
It’s always okay to take a break. Also, that break doesn’t have to be on your day off. If you feel like you’re suffering you need a break for your mental health, there is nothing wrong with taking a day off work for it. Ultimately you need to be feeling the best version of yourself and that should be your main priority. I know that’s easier said than done, but it starts with not feeling guilty about taking a break.
Know when to say no
The people around you do not know when you are at full capacity, that is down to you to relay if you want to. Whether it’s with your workload, physical commitments, social ones or mentally. If you are being asked to do things that may just be one step too far from you, it is okay to say no. Don’t let yourself be guilted into doing things you don’t really want to do. Or maybe you do want to do them, but you know that right now isn’t the best time for you.
It is okay to say no.
Try to take more time for yourself
Whether you’re working or at school or currently unemployed, life can become a routine. Similarly to taking a break, part of looking after yourself is taking time to do things you really enjoy. So once you’ve decided to take a break and have said no to activities you don’t really have the capacity for, why not run a bath? Or find your favourite film and stick it on? It’s all well and good taking a break, but are you using it to do something that will make your heart happy?
I realised that throughout 2019 I had stopped listening to new music and now I’ve amended that I really enjoy sticking my headphones on and discovering some new songs. That is an example of me using my time to do something I really enjoy.
Pick up new hobbies and methods of mindfulness
Try to embrace new opportunities that could make you feel less stressed and more happy and relaxed. Yoga and meditation is a fantastic way to help practice mindfulness and really feel present and one with yourself. Discovering something like this could offer you an outlet you never knew about and give you the space you need to focus on your mental health.
I try to go to the gym three times a week and this helps me get exercise but also have dedicated time just to myself. I also find it’s really great for me when I do have bad days, it helps me revitalise my body and feel more myself.
Make sure in 2020 you put yourself first and learn to take care of your mental health.
This is something that I’m taking VERY seriously in 2020. 2019 was a year that almost broke me with how busy I was. My husband and I joke that “2020 is the year of E!” 🙂 Thanks so much for posting this!
I most definitely think it should be the year of E! I hope it helped!
I definitely am still learning to say no when I’m at full capacity and taking time for myself. I’m such a giver that I always forget to care for myself as well. But 2020 is definitly going to be the year that I work on me. And even splurge on things that I want because I want too. haha. Thank you for this wonderful post!
I definitely am still learning to say no when I’m at full capacity and taking time for myself. I’m such a giver that I always forget to care for myself as well. But 2020 is definitely going to be the year that I work on me. And even splurge on things that I want because I want too. haha. Thank you for this wonderful post!
Great post!
I’m being forced by my health to take more time for myself. It’s also making me learn to say NO to things I felt obligated to agree to before. That’s been quite liberating, even though dealing with the repercussions from those used to me saying ‘yes’ to things has been annoying. Often those ‘yes’ are enabling poor behaviour on the part of the asked. They don’t like that I’m now refusing to enable them. 🤣
Lovely post, Beth!! This is all such great advice! I think that one of the biggest challenges I face is choosing to take a break. I always feel guilty whenever I leave blogging for a given amount of time (especially if it’s unannounced). But, I’ve been getting better lately. <3