5 Positive Steps To Mental Wellbeing In 2023

Do you ever feel like your mental health isn't as stable as it could be? Struggling to ignore the negative thoughts invading your head and struggling not to let your anxiety and stress take over? You're not alone.

It's more than just a feeling, according to Jacqueline H. DeRubeis, M.D., director of psychiatry at Penn Medicine's University of Pennsylvania Health System - it's a problem that affects 1 in 4 of us every year- a whopping 75 million people. A study has shown people have over 6,000 thoughts per day - most of which are negative.

(Image source: The Mighty)

But you know what? You can make positive steps towards stability and happiness by making some alterations in lifestyle choices and daily habits. There's no reason that you should continue to live an anxious, frustrated and dissatisfied life. There's also no reason to take medications if you don't need to like so many people do without realizing other options are available.

Here are five steps towards your well being in 2023:

Don't dwell on the past. Learn from it.

Critique yourself with kindness - you can't change what happened in the past, but you can learn from it and move forward with a positive perspective. You're not a failure or a mistake just because things didn't turn out as planned or imagined. You're exactly where you need to be, just in a different place than you thought you'd be. So embrace the journey, learn from your mistakes and be proud of the things that have worked out.

Smile more and laugh often

You know that it's true, laughter is the best medicine for any issue or stress in life! Do something fun/funny each day - reading a comic book or watching a funny movie are two great examples. Learn how to value the present moment by laughing at situations rather than getting upset about them and living an unfulfilling life as a result. Remember - laughter is contagious, so make sure everyone around you is happy too.

Get a pet

Studies have shown that interaction with animals leads to lower blood pressure and releases endorphins in the brain. Even a virtual pet could be a good place to start. Not only that but caring for the animal can lead to a positive outlook on life and responsibility regarding taking care of someone or something other than yourself.

Start each day with gratitude

Before going to sleep every night, write down three things you're grateful for from the day. This will help teach you how to look forward to each new day because there are good things that happen as well as bad things. However, it can be hard to see the good when we consume our thoughts only on the bad. To help you with that, there’s an app called Gratitude which makes it easy to note the things you’re grateful for. Just download the app on your smartphone or tablet.

Keep an eye on the big picture

Strive to be a person of principle and honour, but keep your feet firmly planted in the present moment. Don't let your mind wander or worry about things that won't affect your life right now. You don't know how the day will turn out, and you shouldn't live with those worries in your head, so redirect them towards productive things that will help you feel happier and healthier.

Exercise for a better mental state

From anxiety to depression, symptoms of mental illness often stem from the fact that we are not taking care of ourselves during the day. Therefore, in order to really feel positive and happy, it is essential to take a few steps each day during your routine and allow yourself to take care of your mind, body and spirit.

(Image Source: Elevate Fitness)

You can start today by exercising. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins in your brain, which makes you feel good. Exercising also helps you clear your head so that you can make good decisions with the least amount of stress possible. You'll also find yourself being more productive when you are physically active rather than sitting at a desk all day long. The healthier you are, the better you'll feel!

Here are some exercises to get you started on the right path towards a better mental state:

Stretch it out: Often, when we feel stressed, it is because we are not taking care of our bodies. As a result, our muscles get tense and tight, and that causes a feedback loop where we feel anxious or stressed. Stretch your muscles out using a foam roller so that your whole body feels relaxed and loose. This can help you feel more positive overall.

Do yoga: Yoga is an amazing way to find peace, clarity and strength within yourself. If you are looking for a new way to feel better, try a yoga class! You'll feel rejuvenated and educated in the process. These poses help your body stay healthy and happy so that you can think straight when you're stressed or in a mental rut. In addition, yoga helps you know how to relax your body and provide deep breathing exercises and visualisation techniques.

Exercise your mind: Working out your muscles does its job outside, but if you want to get fit for the brain, try exercising your mind instead. Brain gym is an exercise program that focuses on what's called neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). This means that while we are physically exercising our bodies, we are also training our brains.

This is great for mental health and can keep you thinking positive, productive thoughts throughout the day. You'll also see that when you practice these techniques regularly, they will become a natural part of your routine. The more you practice them, the better you will feel overall.