The 5 Keys to Balance

The 5 Keys to balancing your mental health are the best tips I’ve ever learned on my journey. These keys not only make you stop and take an internal status check but also give you an opportunity to ensure that you have everything you need for the next step of the adventure of your life!

Sometimes, with our day-to-day life, we forget about ourselves. We often find ourselves racing through tasks and not realizing that we’ve forgotten to recharge our batteries and have some well-deserved me-time. This can lead to a wide range of mental health issues, including but not limited to depression, manic hyperactivity, overthinking, bipolar disorder, sleeping disorders, and insomnia. If you start experiencing any of these issues, I highly recommend seeking professional help. If you’re not sure where to go, you can reach out to your family doctor to find a starting point for your own personal mental health level.

In most cases, when you’re feeling drained, overwhelmed, or depressed, it’s often due to a lack of self-care in your life. The 5 keys to mental health are a great starting point to ensure all your self-care needs are met. When you start feeling like you’re sliding, or you’re in a mood and you’re not sure why, do an internal check by asking yourself:

Did I drink plenty of water?

Did I eat healthy food choices today?

Did I do something for my body?

Did I do something for my mind?

Did I do something for my soul?

Water is essential to ensure our bodies function optimally, but often we don’t get enough water in our day-to-day. I found over the years that I was mistaking hunger for thirst and was overeating when in reality my body was trying to tell me that I was actually thirsty. There are other benefits of drinking water that help in other ways with our body, such as relieving fatigue, improving mood, relieving migraines/headaches, helping the body’s natural digestive flow, aiding weight loss, attentiveness, and boosting your immune system.

We all know the benefits of eating healthy, but when you live life on the go with multiple things to do on your to-do list, it can be hard to remember to eat, let alone grab healthy food choices on the go or when hunger arises. We’ve all been there – so hungry because you forgot to eat lunch and going for the chips in the cupboard or the closest fast-food restaurant might not always be the best option for your mental health.

Meal prepping is a great way to be mindful of what and when you’re eating, but it also helps to take one less thing off your mind throughout the day and gives you more time to eat your meals without having to think about what and where you’re going to eat. By setting yourself time once a week to plan out your meals, you will also give yourself an overview to ensure you are getting the nourishment you need to fuel your body.

Speaking of your body, most of us are either standing and sitting all day. When we ask ourselves “Did we do something for our body today?” this doesn’t necessarily mean physical activity. Listening to our bodies on a daily basis, we can tell if we need to get our bodies moving for the day or rest to heal sore muscles.

If you lack movement throughout your day because you sit at a desk all day, doing some kind of exercise can help with soreness and flexibility. Depending on your current level of physical activity experience, you want to start at a level that is comfortable for you. These activities can range from light stretching throughout your workday to prevent stiffness, to yoga to slowly start building up flexibility and stamina, walking/hiking, or even going to the gym. Ensure you talk to your doctor before starting any new workout programs.

Our minds are often neglected when it comes to prioritizing our mental health. We may spend our days engrossed in work and then resort to mindlessly scrolling through social media or channel surfing in the evenings, instead of actively seeking activities that nourish and strengthen our minds. However, there are many healthy ways to enhance our minds that can improve our overall mental wellbeing. These include activities such as meditation, reading, exercising, practicing gratitude, spending time in nature, learning new skills or hobbies, and connecting with loved ones. By incorporating these activities into our daily lives, we can help to cultivate a healthier and more resilient mind.

Finding time for our soul is something that most people associate with religion or spirituality, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to pray or meditate. It could be as simple as finding the right music that uplifts your heart, indulging in a spa treatment, coloring or doing some artwork, or playing a game that brings out your inner child. Engaging in any creative activity that brings joy or calmness to your heart and grounds you to the earth’s higher frequencies can make all the difference in the world for your overall mental health. Listen to your inner child and be mindful of what truly makes your heart happy.

Additionally, here are some healthy ways to enhance your mind for better mental health:

• Practice mindfulness meditation
• Engage in regular physical exercise
• Engage in creative activities such as drawing, painting, or crafting
• Read books or listen to podcasts that inspire and challenge you
• Spend time in nature
• Connect with loved ones
• Learn something new
• Get enough sleep
• Practice gratitude and positive thinking
• Seek professional help if needed.

In conclusion, taking care of your overall mental health is essential for living a happy and fulfilling life. The 5 keys to balancing your mental health, which include staying hydrated, eating healthy, taking care of your body, engaging your mind, and nurturing your soul, can serve as a great starting point for ensuring that you are meeting your self-care needs. By checking in with yourself regularly and practicing these habits, you can improve your mood, relieve stress, and prevent mental health issues from arising. Remember, self-care is not selfish; it is necessary for living your best life.

In addition to the benefits of engaging the mind to enhance mental health, taking care of the body and soul is also crucial. Regular exercise and physical activity can boost endorphins, improve sleep, and reduce the risk of developing chronic illnesses. Nurturing the soul through creative activities, meditation, or spending time in nature can bring a sense of calmness and peace to your life. By prioritizing all three aspects of your health – mind, body, and soul – you can achieve a greater sense of overall well-being and happiness. So, make self-care a priority and enjoy the benefits of a healthy and fulfilling life.