Unusual mental health hacks: How to stay sane when life throws you curveballs
The only constant in life is change. Yet, we all struggle when life throws curveballs at us. While some may embrace them gracefully, many find it challenging to cope with the changes. At times, curveballs can wreak havoc, and life seems to have come to an end. But the reality is there's still hope and a long and meaningful life to live ahead.
In 2018, when I was at the peak of my professional life, I had to quit my job and embrace freelancing due to certain circumstances. I felt lost and didn't know what was lying ahead of me. I had financial responsibilities, and without a full-time job, I had no clear plans.
Yet, here I am, slaying the freelance life.
So, from my life experience, all I can say is:
“Change is inevitable in life. Whether you ask for it or not, it will happen to you. Both change for good and change for bad.”
You have the power to navigate through change and adjust your life. Trust that power and believe you will become stronger no matter what.
While navigating the changes, we find the coping mechanism that helps us thrive in the situation. For me, dancing is a good option. Those few hours of intense practice releases enough happy hormones to help me deal with my stress. Yours could be something else!
In this article, we will share some unusual mental health hacks that we asked our community about, and here are some interesting ideas you can consider trying.
Spending time in nature
As Heidi mentions, nature has a powerful impact on our mental health, so she decided to become a forest bathing guide, where she shares the practice with others. She mentions, "Now, I spend at least 15 minutes Forest bathing each day. Not hiking or gardening (although I do that too). I just sit still in nature, practice awareness, and engage my senses. The impacts are profound (and well researched)." Why not give it a try when you feel blue on days?
Creating hope boxes
Atul Sharma suggests having hope boxes. A hope box is a box that you fill with stuff that makes you feel good. It can be movie tickets, photographs of a place you loved visiting, photographs of your favorite person, your favorite savory sachets, or anything that gives you a positive feeling. On days when you feel low, just looking at your hope box will make you feel good.
Watching feel-good shows
Some people forget their worries when watching some good television shows and movies. If you're into Korean dramas, we recommend watching Boys over Flowers and Hometown Cha Cha Cha. 🙂 If that’s not your thing, how about watching some true crime documentaries or may be horror movies?
Brain dumping and journaling
Another fun way to stay sane is brain dumping and journaling. Grab a notebook, pen, or smartphone and jot down all the emotions and thoughts that are flowing through your mind. Brain dumping allows your emotions to flow, and regular journaling practice will help you feel better.
Try a new dish
If you love cooking, why not try out a new recipe that you learned last time from your favorite cookery show? This will not only help to divert your mind, but the joy of creating something new for yourself will also make you feel good.
Snooze off
Napping can be a good way to sleep off your worries when nothing seems to work. A good nap is a powerful way to rejuvenate your brain cells and make you feel better.
Loud jam/dance sessions
Personally, this is my favorite coping mechanism. Play loud music in your living room or shake your legs to groovy dance music. A quick dance session helps release happy hormones, helping you forget the difficult times and look at life more positively.
Go for a walk
If you find yourself in a difficult situation that takes a toll on your mental health, just walk away from it. Going for a stroll has a great effect on calming the nerves.
What are your unusual mental health hacks?
Taking care of your mental health is important to stay productive at work and maintain sanity in your personal life. Hope you find these mental health hacks useful. And if nothing seems to work for you, taking the help of a professional counselor is always advisable.
Now, tell us your strategy to stay calm when life throws you curveballs.
FAQ
How can I improve my mental health?
Regular exercise, healthy eating and sleeping habits, writing a gratitude journal, and staying connected with loved ones can have positive effects on mental health.
What are the 7-pillars of self-care?
A well-balanced self-care routine should be based on these 7 pillars: 1. Social 2. Mental 3. Emotional 4. Physical 5. Environmental 6. Spiritual 7. Recreational.
