Mental Wellness Tips
StarVista’s Counseling Center Clinical Supervisor, Karen Jaffe, LCSW, shares mental wellness tips you can use to support your mental health and well-being year-round.
Connect
Connecting with others in a meaningful way can improve thoughts and emotions. A sense of social connection is an important human need. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a large group of friends, a few meaningful connections are all you need.
Sleep
During sleep, the body and brain repair themselves. Inadequate sleep can interfere with the connection between the Amygdala (which processes emotions) and the Prefrontal Cortex (which manages impulse control and decision making). Make a good night’s sleep a priority.
Be Mindful
Being mindful is simply being present in the moment and cluing into what’s going on with you. The goal is to focus on how you are feeling at that very moment. Body Scan is a mindfulness technique you can do anywhere. Check-in slowly from your head to your toes and notice how your body feels. Gently release any area(s) that feels tight.
Exercise
When you exercise your body and brain produce hormones and neurotransmitters that have a positive impact on your mood. Cardiovascular and aerobic exercises are recommended. Pick an activity that you enjoy doing. Even the simple exercise of fast-paced walking can benefit your mood. Exercise can also help with sleep.
Practice Gratitude
Keep a gratitude journal. A gratitude journal is a tool to keep track of the good things in life. Before you go to sleep list five things you are grateful for. It can be as simple as a sunny day or a good snack. Remembering what we are grateful for can provide us with much-needed perspective at the end of a rough day.