SoulMete - Informative Stories from Heart. Read the informative collection of real stories about Lifestyle, Business, Technology, Fashion, and Health.

Do these 4 things every day to be happier and more resilient: mental health experts

[ad_1]

“Resilience” has emerged as one of the most popular buzzwords since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, a catch-all for coping with the turbulence of the past two years. It appears in headlines applauding front-line workers pulling double shifts and presidential speeches rallying people to steel themselves for future crises. 

But what does it mean to be truly resilient? 

“People need to understand that being resilient means you are experiencing something at a high stress level, and we are not meant to function at such a level for an extended period of time,” Dr. Jessica Jackson, a psychologist and global clinical diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging manager at Modern Health, tells CNBC Make It

She continues: “When we think about building resiliency, we have to acknowledge that resiliency doesn’t always mean being hard – resilience can also be rest, it can be vulnerability and processing emotions, so it’s easier to navigate a stressful situation.” 

There are a few habits you can adopt to build your mental strength and resilience. Here are four recommendations from Dr. Jackson and psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman.

1. Do a five-minute check-in every morning 

We’re quick to ask others “How are you?” – but when’s the last time you asked yourself the same question? 

It’s easy to block out emotions and operate on autopilot until you’re on the verge of burning out. “Think about a car: You might not notice the oil leaking because it’s always moving, but when it’s parked for a while, and you move it, suddenly you realize there’s a puddle of oil underneath,” Jackson says. “It’s the same thing with our mental health.”

Set a timer for five minutes each morning and take note of how you’re feeling. Dr. Jackson suggests starting with the following questions: 

  • How do I feel?
  • What do I need today?
  • How do I want today to go?

Sitting in silence and thinking through these questions can help you process negative emotions and figure out any adjustments you need to make in your schedule to stave off stress, whether it’s going for a run, ordering takeout or a different self-care activity. 

2. Create ‘micro-moments’ of positivity 

Our brains are hard-wired to look for danger, giving weight to negative emotions over positive ones. The antidote for this bad habit is what Boardman calls “micro-moments” of positivity: seeking out the people or things that bring you joy. 

“A meaningful connection or an uplifting activity enhances our resilience by acting as a buffer between us and the stress we’ll inevitably encounter in our lives,” she says.

Think about how you can incorporate these moments – calling a friend or listening to your favorite music, for example – into your routine. Boardman suggests setting reminders on your phone for such activities so you don’t let your “well-spring of vitality run dry.”

3. Conduct a technology audit 

Social media has been widely linked to anxiety and depression in both teenagers and adults, undermining our well-being and emotional resilience. 

While it’s not feasible to quit the internet cold turkey, Boardman recommends evaluating your tech habits to see if there are any pages, or people, you should reduce or eliminate from your consumption. 

“Channel [tidying expert] Marie Kondo: If something doesn’t spark joy on some level, if it makes you feel bad, mute it, or limit the time you’re spending on it,” she says, adding that we should aim to spend “less than two hours” online outside of work. 

4. Practice setting boundaries 

[ad_2]
Source link