There are many simple ways to look after your mental health on a daily basis. A lot of emphasis is put on maintaining your physical health as you age, but taking care of your mental health is just as important.

In celebration of World Mental Health Day, we’ve put together some tips that you can incorporate into your daily routine to improve your mental health. They’re a great reminder that even small acts of self-care can have a big impact.

Connect with others 

Our relationships serve as the support systems in our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic made it evident to a lot of us that connecting with people is one of the most important things we can do to brighten up our days. Even if your loved ones don’t live near you, technology has made it easier to talk to friends and family. If you feel lonely, a simple call or text can change things around. And when you’re in need of physical support, head out to coffee with a friend at Seasons, or go for a walk with another fellow resident you just met. Don’t underestimate the power of connecting with someone, even if it is with a stranger! It’s often in those moments that you truly experience life’s simple pleasures.

Practice gratitude 

Tune in to the small everyday details of your life and notice the good things you might sometimes take for granted. Practising gratitude has incredible effects, from improving our mental health to boosting our relationships with others. One of the easiest ways to add this practice into your daily life is by keeping a gratitude journal. Every day, try and create the habit of writing three things that you’re grateful for in your life. Keep track of things that made you smile each day, or things that stood out to you as even being possible. It can be as small as being grateful for a warm cup of coffee or hearing the birds chirp in the morning. Life isn’t always easy, and when things get tough it’s easy to focus on everything that’s wrong, instead of everything that’s right. Gratitude is a wonderful way to remind yourself of all the little things that make life worth living.

Get some daily exercise 

Exercise can affect your mental health in ways you might not expect. Exercise releases natural feel-good hormones, called endorphins, which have powerful effects on your mood. And the more exercise you get, the better it works! Activities like going on a walk to hopping on your bike will help relieve pent-up muscle tension, burn off stress hormones and increase blood flow to your brain. If you’ve been feeling down lately, getting your body moving is a great way to connect with yourself.

Do something you enjoy every day 

We’re all guilty of becoming too caught up in our daily routines. Many of us forget to take time to be present and do things that we really enjoy. It’s important to remind yourself to take a break and put yourself first. This can look different for many people, but one sure way that always works is by doing something you love every day. Whether it’s baking your favourite cake, going on a walk, or reading that book you’ve been wanting to get to – make sure you take time to do something that makes you happy.

Be kind to yourself 

It’s easy to beat ourselves up for things we think we’re not doing well enough. We can get caught up in all of our flaws, and forget to be kind to ourselves and recognize all the great things that are already present in our lives. Praise yourself and your accomplishments, instead of focusing on the negative. Oftentimes, learning to quiet your mind and control your thoughts is one of the best ways you can be kind to yourself. That’s why meditation is so effective – it allows us to take a step back and focus on the present moment. You’re not just thinking about a single thought, but instead, you’re observing them, realizing they don’t last forever, and letting them go as they come. With time and practice, you then become accustomed to replacing your bad thoughts with good ones. Soon, that voice inside your head that tells you “you’re not doing enough!” becomes “you’re doing the best you can, and that’s what matters”.

Taking care of your mental health is one of the most important things you can do. These tips are some simple ways to incorporate self-care into your daily routine. And remember, if life ever gets too hard, seeking help is always a possibility.