What better month to officially recognize mental health than January?
It’s a time when we are all in high gear, finally making those doctor appointments we put off for the last six months, dragging ourselves to the gym at the crack of dawn to set the productive tone for our day, eating foods that don’t drag us down and maybe even seeking out a meditation class or two.
While we’re already on the path of healthy living, Philosophy‘s Wellness Ambassador and New York Times best-selling self-help author, Gabby Bernstein, shared seven powerful tips with the beauty brand in honor of Mental Wellness Month that should keep regular folks like you and me (relatively) sane all year ’round.
Keep reading for Bernstein’s guidance for improving your life dramatically in the simplest of ways!
Tip 1: Take a me break!
Commit to a me break at least once a week. Take time out to focus on yourself. This is a powerful habit to create early in the year. Need some suggestions? Take a long yoga class or prepare a nice meal for yourself.
Tip 2: Get creative.
This year, I commit to spending more time painting. This creative hobby takes me out of my daily patterns and ignites my inner spirit. Pledge to engage in a creative project or even take a trip to the museum. You’ll find that time spent in creativity heightens your happiness and gives you more energy for the other areas of your life.
Tip 3: Sit back and receive.
I work hard to balance my go-getter mentality with my “sit back and recieve” approach to life. This year, welcome stillness and receptivity. Begin a meditation practice today [see Tip 4 for an idea].
Tip 4: Be less irritable.
Let’s face it, no matter how happy or serene we may be, there’s always those friends, family members or co-workers who can get under our skin. This technique offers you a very quick solution for releasing stress when people piss you off. You can practice this meditation anytime and anywhere. You can begin right now.
Get Calm How-To:
Gently press your thumb against your pointer finger, then your middle finger then your index finger then your pinky finger.
When you touch your pointer finger say: PEACE
When you touch your middle finger say: BEGINS
When you touch your index finger say: WITH
When you touch your pinky finger say: ME
Breathe deeply as you say each word. Go as slow or as fast as you’d like. Use this technique in line at the bank, under the desk in an office meeting, or in the middle of a fight with your lover. This technique will get you through all kinds of crazy emotions and help you release resentment fast.
Tip 5: Choose a new thought and move with it!
Saying positive affirmations can be a great way to shift your mood and release stress, But there’s nothing more effective than combining your new thoughts with physical activity. I like to use a trampoline. This is an awesome stress buster! I jump on the trampoline while reciting an affirmation. So if I’m feeling stressed, I’ll jump on the trampoline and say, “I am calm, I am balanced.” Ten minutes a day with this activity can help me release all of my stress and move through my day with grace.
You can bring your affirmations to any kind of physical activity. Swim, run, walk, dance and repeat your affirmation, “I am calm, I am balanced.”
Tip 6: Laugh!
It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of life, negativity on the news, or the self-inflicted stress that takes over at any given moment. The key to quickly getting out of these anxious moments is to laugh. By simply laughing we can detach from stress and choose to see a better perspective. If something silly is bothering you, this tool can help you let go of littleness and center back into your happy reality. Let laughter melt away the petty fears that consume you. If it sounds simple, that’s because it is.
Tip 7: Talk less, listen more!
Ever walk away from a conversation feeling hungover from all that you spewed? Do you ever lose track of your filter and overshare? Or are you someone who is totally unable to listen to other people and instead only ramble on about yourself? Let’s get honest here. If we want to keep our private life private then it’s important to use today’s tool.
Whenever you notice yourself oversharing simply say to yourself: W.A.I.T: Why am I talking? This simple acronym will take you out of the ego behavior and center you back into your truth. Even if you’re mid-sentence it’s okay to W.A.I.T. Use this tool as often as possible and you’ll become a great listener!
