As easy as it might be in theory to ‘think
positively’, those suffering from depression, anxiety, or
other mental health issues can find this to be one of the
most difficult things to do in practice. While positive
reframing, mindfulness, and meditation are all helpful,
focussing solely on mental and emotional aspects may not
always result in desired outcomes.
Rather, oftentimes
a far more practical way of improving one’s mental
wellbeing is to focus on completing physical, doable tasks.
Science shows that doing an action actually results in
feeling motivated to repeat the action – not the other way
around. In other words, starting an exercise routine not
only motivates one to finish it but to be more willing to
undertake exercising again in the future.
For those in
a mental health slump, choosing a simple task like washing
even just a single plate can help. Chances are, by taking up
that single simple action, one will ultimately end up
cleaning the whole kitchen. Indeed, simple daily activities
like making the bed or going for a brief walk can
significantly improve one’s mood. Setting and sticking to
established morning and evening routines that exclude
screentime and include relaxation techniques like deep
breathing and stretching can also result in improved mental
health outcomes. That’s because there’s a direct link
between physical and mental health, with one feeding into
the other.
Aside from embarking on simple physical
activities, attending regular talk therapy sessions with a
trained professional can prove beneficial. Many
psychologists, like those practising at Psychology Care,
employ cognitive behavioural therapy as a way to integrate
and promote physical and mental wellness. Instead of trying
to ‘force’ positive thinking, it is possible to, over
time, reprogramme the brain to better cope with stress and
manage an array of mental health issues through physical
action.
© Scoop Media
Discussion about this post