Hello everyone! I’m curious to know what are some healthy habits or practices you engage in when life isn’t treating you too well at times. I’ll start first!
I used to think that only a few hours of sleep such as 5-6 hours is enough for me to get through the day. However, that actually contributed more towards the stress and anxiety I was already facing. Not having sufficient sleep further clouded my thoughts and judgement, as someone who is a chronic overthinker. Looking back, I am really happy that I have made progress in trying to overthink lesser and not always catastrophising every issue. I’ve learned that having a good night sleep (7-8 hours for me) helps me have a clearer mind the next day, enabling me to assess a situation better and realise that things actually are not so bad after all!
With that said, it might not be so suitable for everyone especially those who are already struggling with insomnia. I’m hoping that this post will help anyone who reads to pick up a thing or two, so please do share some of yours habits!
Hey, thanks for sharing with us! I certainly agree with you that having more and a better night of rest also leads to a healthier mind in the day! Other habits I do to keep myself engaged in life are practicing my hobby which is drawing, or when I’m feeling particularly down, I try to eat better and healthier, which hopefully cheers me up!
i personally like to take a longgg shower. there’s just something really comforting and relaxing when taking a nice hot bath! i get to temporarily escape from any problems or responsibilities, spend some time taking care of myself, and just recharge before i get back to work.
mmmmm i give myself full permission to enjoy the rest of the day making myself feel well and rested, and to not worry abt meeting expectations others have on me or anything else that may be holding me back from resting…
so usually the resting would look like watching my fav sitcoms or just doom scrolling, AND eating my fav food~
if life comes knocking on the door, i do what i must and then immediately return to the mental state of “not today, try again tmr” hahahaha
so far im lucky to find that after having a few good hours of prioritising just me, i feel a bit more ready to be present for others (be it family, friends, work, etc) in my life again heh!
I listen to music whenever i find that life is too hard. Due to a past incident, I have developed trauma and thus the song I find helpful is Who by jimin . As it helps me feel that I’m not alone, and it helps me think who is that someone special in my life that I’m finding a opportunity to repay her for her help.
Usually being active in sports helps me to reduce my anxiety and overthinking! I also like to write my thoughts down in a diary and use this app call “FreeCBT” to help reframe my negative thoughts. Another thing I did was to do regular blood test to check my health, I learnt I had very low vitamin D which may have contributed to my paranoia, anxiety and overthinking. Doing what you love such as your hobbies help to reduce your stress level.
Sometimes the environment you are in also plays a part. If your environment is stressful naturally you will be stressed out and anxious too. Naturally, you’ll need to assigned some time off in a week to blow off steam and that’s usually the weekends.
i clean up my room! sometimes i feel like my mental state is a reflection of the physical state of my room haha, so when it gets too messy, i decide to drag my legs and have no choice but to clean up my room – on one hand it makes it easier for me to do work, since i have made a more conducive space in my room to study. and on the other hand, its interesting to always look through the pile of notes that lie in each part of my room from my friends as i slowly read each and every one of them, i am encouraged and i remember how loved i am by my friends! i always receive notes of blessings and encouragements, that i look forward to glancing at every time i clean my room.
Self care when life gets tough is important! I have been using this app called Finch that tracks my moods, and reminds me to do self-care activities if it notices a lower mood like writing reflections, doing a breathing exercise, etc.
I also put in my more routine care activities for myself to make sure I keep up with taking care of myself
Hey there! I love how you shared your experience with sleep—it’s such an important reminder!!
For me, another practice that’s really helped during challenging times is intuitive writing . It’s a simple way to get in touch with my feelings and clear my mind. I just grab a journal and start writing whatever comes to mind, without any judgment or structure. It’s amazing how writing in this free-flowing way allows me to process emotions, reflect on what’s going on, and gain some clarity. It’s become a mini ritual that helps me stay grounded and present.
Highly recommend it if you’re looking for a way to ease stress and make sense of your thoughts!
And..
I also highly recommend doing it with your morning coffee, hot chocolate, or whatever drink you enjoy - it really adds to the experience!
Thank you for sharing your experience with sleep and how it has positively impacted your mental health. It’s great to know that you’ve found a routine that works for you and helps you manage stress and anxiety better.
When life isn’t treating me too well, i find that engaging in regular physical activity, like going for a walk or doing some light exercise, really helps clear my mind and boost my mood. Sometimes throughout the day i would focus on my breathing and be present in the moment, which helps me to reduce overthinking and bring a sense of calm.
Another habit that has made a difference is maintaining a balanced diet. Eating nutritious meals and staying hydrated can have a significant impact on how i feel both physically and mentally.
I resonate with getting adequate sleep to clear my mind. It does help me to feel more refreshed! For me, I would take a 15 minute walk around the park in the evening when life gets tough. Being immersed in nature helps me to calm down and recollect my thoughts.
as i slowly read each and every one of them, i am encouraged and i remember how loved i am by my friends! i always receive notes of blessings and encouragements, that i look forward to glancing at every time i clean my room.
. It’s a simple way to get in touch with my feelings and clear my mind. I just grab a journal and start writing whatever comes to mind, without any judgment or structure. It’s amazing how writing in this free-flowing way allows me to process emotions, reflect on what’s going on, and gain some clarity. It’s become a mini ritual that helps me stay grounded and present.
