May is Mental Health Awareness Month! In our fast-paced world and busy lives, it’s easy to forget about self-care and neglect our social and emotional needs. This month is a time specifically dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and serves as a reminder for us to take care of our mental well-being. In this article, we’ll not only share tips on how to care for your mental health, but we’ll also include some fun activities you can partake in, either alone or with loved ones. Let’s make this month one that’ll leave you relaxed, refreshed, and renewed!
Mental Health Tips for Self-Care
Tip #1: Eat, sleep, exercise
If you’re a loyal follower of this blog, then you know that we constantly preach the importance of eating, sleeping, and exercising. These are the pillars of our physical, emotional, and mental health! If you haven’t prioritized these 3 crucial factors, then May is a good time to start. Make sure you’re eating a rich diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night also allows your mind and body to recharge. Finally, incorporate some physical activity into your daily routines. This ensures the release of endorphins, which will naturally lift your mood!
Tip #2: Stay hydrated
Stay Hydrated is our motto. Hydration plays an important role in maintaining mental clarity and overall well-being. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and more if you’re physically active or in hot weather. Herbal teas and infused water can also be refreshing options!
Tip #3: Prioritize you
If you’re a busybody like me, then this is a tough one. Regardless, you have to make self-care a priority. Amidst all the chaos and extended to-do lists, it’s easy to put our own needs on the back burner. That’s why setting boundaries and learning to say “no” when necessary are crucial actions to take. Remember, self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential for your mental health.
Activities to Boost Your Mental Health
You’re probably wondering: “Well, what can I actually do?!”
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a list of our favorite activities, especially during Spring and just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month!
Connect with nature (hiking, camping, etc.)
Spending time in nature has proven to boost our mood and improve our mental health and well-being. I mean, every scientific journal has data to back this up. There’s something about the trees, the sound of birds singing, and the ocean waves that signal serenity and peace in our minds. No wonder a camping trip in the wilderness helps us feel refreshed, like hitting a reset button.
To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, plan a hiking or camping trip with friends! Or if you prefer, go alone (but be safe). A short day hike through a scenic trail or camping under the stars will allow you to be fully present with the natural environment so that you can connect with your surroundings and yourself.
We recently posted an article about the benefits of nature and outdoor activities. Be sure to check out our article on “The 7 Benefits of the Great Outdoors”!
Connect with friends and family
With beautiful weather in May and spring in full bloom, it’s a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and family. Human connection is a fundamental part of our well-being, and connecting with our loved ones is important to our mental health. You can even double up on these activities and spend quality time with friends and family in the great outdoors! Two birds, one stone.
Remember that prioritizing self-care and caring for your mental health means prioritizing those who are important in your life. Strengthening these bonds provides a sense of belonging and support, especially during challenging times. Spending time with those closest to you should make you feel fulfilled and replenished.
Practice mindfulness
If you haven’t already done so, incorporate mindfulness activities into your daily routine. Don’t just do this during the month of May, but use this opportunity to develop a new habit! We’ve written so many articles about the importance of mindfulness. This practice helps us to ground ourselves in the present moment, to be with ourselves, and to cultivate a sense of peacefulness.
Activities like meditation and deep breathing exercises are forms of mindfulness. Taking a walk in nature while noticing your surroundings is also a form of mindfulness. Whatever you’re doing, be sure to tune into your senses, observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment, and guide yourself back to the present moment if you start to wander.
Be sure to check out our article on mindfulness!
Acts of kindness & volunteering
There is so much joy in giving back. If you ask all the happy and successful people out there what brings them the most joy or what makes them feel most fulfilled, they’ll tell you it’s giving back and making a positive impact on the world. Giving back through random acts of kindness or volunteering at a soup kitchen is not only rewarding but provides a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and interconnectedness with ourselves.
When we do good and give back, and when we’re compassionate, it’s contagious, and everyone wins. So take advantage of Mental Health Awareness Month this May and participate in some volunteer activities around mental health!
Do yoga
I’m sure you’ve heard of all the benefits that yoga can provide. This holistic practice combines breathing, movement, and mindfulness to boost our mood and improve our overall well-being. Yoga offers a space for us to be with ourselves, to reflect, care for, and discover our inner selves.
Whether you’re doing a yoga flow at the studio or in the comfort of your own home, this beneficial practice will help you connect with your body, mind, and spirit, leaving you feeling grounded and at peace. Check out yoga studios near you to see if there are any Mental Health Awareness activities and events!
Go to a concert
For many people, music is a profound coping mechanism and tool for boosting mood and improving mental health. If you’ve ever been to a concert, you know what that shared experience is like, even with the strangers around you. Music has a beautiful way of evoking emotional responses, whether that’s joy, sadness, or nostalgia. And in those moments, we embrace all the emotions that arise. It’s pretty therapeutic if you ask me.
Attending a concert, especially with friends and loved ones, can be a great outlet for processing emotions, reducing stress, and most importantly, fostering a sense of belonging. And with summer fast approaching, there are many concerts and shows to choose from!
Get artsy (painting, pottery, etc.)
Creative activities not only help us with self-expression but also have significant effects on our mood and mental health. When we engage in creative endeavors like painting, drawing, sculpting, or any sort of design, our brain undergoes positive changes. These activities stimulate the release of dopamine (pleasure and reward), which can evoke feelings of happiness and satisfaction.
Beyond that, creative activities can improve cognitive function and emotional regulation by promoting mindfulness and what we call “flow states,” where you become fully immersed in the present moment with your art. When we create, we explore our thoughts and emotions, nurture our mental well-being, and give ourselves space for self-discovery and growth.
Final Thoughts
We hope you’ll take advantage of all the resources available to you this May in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month! Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. Reach out for support if you need it, and to be kind to yourself. Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!
