Mental health care is getting more airtime and many people are realizing that there is help beyond just going to a therapist once a week. While therapy is one component of good mental health, especially during a crisis, people who are just having intermittent struggles can try certain habits that make a big difference in their mental wellness. For many, the right habits, practices, and lifestyle can give them the boost they need. Whether it’s setting better work-life boundaries, taking ice baths, or reducing anxiety and stress naturally, people have options. Here we look at some of the little known ways that ordinary people work to improve mental health.
Cold Plunges to Improve Mood and Lower Stress
More people are turning to cold plunges and ice baths than ever before. While you might think this alternative practice is for extreme athletes and fitness enthusiasts, there are plenty of benefits for ordinary people. You can keep it as simple as adding ice to your bathtub or invest in a cold plunge with chiller if you need to use it more frequently.
People who use a cold plunge for mental health and wellness find that they improve their overall stress response. This can help people navigate everyday situations with better emotional regulation. While it’s not going to treat severe mental illness, it can help average people with their moods and health.
Using Sleep to Relieve Anxiety
Anxiety when unmanaged can become debilitating. While getting mental health care is important when it gets out of control, there are natural things that regular people can do daily that helps ease anxious feelings. Getting enough sleep is one of the most important things.
While it may feel like self-care to doomscroll into the wee hours of the night, it can also make you more anxious overall. Start by creating good sleep habits that include putting your phone down an hour before bed and picking the same time to sleep each night. This consistency can help lower anxiety and boost your mood and wellness.
Learn to Set Work-Life Boundaries
Have you ever felt upset when someone didn’t respect your boundaries? What would happen if they did it over and over again? Some people don’t create great boundaries for themselves between work and life. They feel like they need to be always on, checking emails, answering calls during dinner, and scheduling meetings when they need to be home instead.
If you want to make your mental health better, create better work-life boundaries. For example, don’t answer calls or texts after 6 p.m. and make sure to give your home life the attention it deserves. When you set better boundaries and hold to them, no one can cross them without your permission. This means that if you don’t respond during dinner, people may stop calling you at that time because they will realize that you aren’t available.
Explore Unusual Hobbies
When people can explore new things, it helps with mood and emotional regulation. The excitement from participating in hobbies is a natural mental health boost. Some odd, but fun options include trainspotting, sand sculpting, soap carving, and even competitive dog grooming. Some of these have the added benefit of a community of hobbyists that you can connect with in person.
Solo hobbies are also great too. Cooking new foods, wood carving, and even yoga are all something you can do on your own as well. Sometimes simply doing something you love for the fun of it is what makes a hobby so great. You aren’t doing it for money, recognition, or fame, but just because it brings you joy.
Shake Your Body
This one sounds a little out there, but people are watching videos on TikTok on shaking the body for mental health, and it’s working. Moving the body by shaking your arms and legs helps improve circulation, lymphatic drainage, and can help move stuck feelings out of the body. It also reduces signs of worry and distress and can help with emotional regulation.
One option is to use trauma release exercises, somatic shaking, or find a movement routine that gets your body letting go of the stress and strain. There are even products out there like vibration plates that accomplish a similar goal.
