Just like your physical health, your mental health is something you can cultivate with self-awareness and consistent habits. Mindfulness practices, rest, self-reflection, activities that bring you joy and quality time with supportive people are all forms of “exercise” that can help you build your mental health muscles. Avoiding activities you use to numb yourself or avoid your feelings is also helpful. To see long-term benefits, you need to find coping skills that help you stay present and build resilience.
In this article, we’ll share seven key elements to include in your mental wellness routine.
Key elements of a balanced mental wellness routine
Your mental and physical health are interrelated, so caring for one supports the other. Your mental health can be further broken down into the core processes of thoughts, emotions, behaviors and relationships. The elements on this list are fundamental building blocks that support these core processes. They work best when they’re personalized to suit your specific needs, so your routine will look different from someone else’s. It may take some trial and error to find the right approaches for you.
Most people will need the following elements to create a balanced mental wellness routine:
Care for your physical health
Sleep hygiene, balanced nutrition, and physical activity tailored to your abilities and preferences are all necessary for both physical and mental wellness. Think of it as giving your body and brain what they need to function at their best.
Mindfulness practices and healthy coping skills
These tools work together to help you stay grounded, manage your emotions and combat stress. Practicing mindfulness regularly helps you tap into a deeper state of calm in moments when you’re experiencing pressure or tension. This includes activities like meditation, deep breathing, yoga or mindful walking. You may also work on skills for self-soothing and relaxation or spend time outdoors.
Supportive relationships
You’ll need different types of relationships to feel a sense of belonging and connection. Your friends, family, mentors, care providers and other community members all play unique roles. Make sure you have a few different people whom you feel safe talking to when you’re not feeling your best.
Creative or meaningful activities
Hobbies and projects that bring joy and purpose to your life are important for your mental well-being. Think about activities that help you feel present and fulfilled, such as making art or music, writing, volunteering or playing a sport. Schedule time for these activities or find a group to meet up with regularly.
Boundary setting
Boundary setting isn’t just saying no to things: it’s a way of protecting your time and energy. To set boundaries with other people, you need to define and maintain boundaries within yourself first. What do you need to feel your best and fulfill your responsibilities? What can you do to make sure those needs are met? Keep in mind that not all boundaries will apply to all situations. Healthy boundaries are neither too rigid nor too porous or flexible.
Self-reflection
Self-reflection is how you keep yourself accountable and uncover insights that help you live according to your values. You might pair your self-reflection with an activity that helps you think clearly, like going for a walk. Try journaling a few times a week or making regular mental health check-ins a habit.
Professional support
Everyone could use some psychoeducation to learn about how their mind works and build skills for mental wellness. A therapist can also help you work toward specific goals or manage symptoms of depression or anxiety. If you ever feel like you’re not able to cope on your own, you should talk with a licensed clinician.
Building your mental wellness routine
A balanced mental wellness routine provides the foundation for emotional stability, giving you tools to navigate life’s inevitable challenges. Again, you’ll need to personalize these activities to suit your goals, your needs and your lifestyle. It may seem like a huge project, but if you start small and build your habits gradually, you can make sustainable change.
Wellness routines play a critical role, but they’re not a replacement for professional treatment. At Lightfully, our licensed clinicians provide personalized, whole-person-focused primary mental health care. That means they see our clients as people first, not a list of symptoms or a diagnosis. Our clinicians use evidence-based treatments to help you find relief while building habits that will support your mental wellness in the long term.
If you’re ever considering higher levels of mental health care, please contact us. We’re here to talk about what you’re going through and how we can help.
