How to strengthen your inner life

Your mental health influences multiple areas, for instance your thoughts, feelings and behaviour in daily life. It also affects your ability to cope with stress, overcome challenges, build relationships, and recover from life’s ups and downs.

Currently, it is no wonder that psychological issues, such as depression, stress, overthinking, exhaust, feelings of loneliness or anxiety can show up since our everyday lives have suddenly changed in a drastic way. The avoidance of social contact, accompanied by a new unfamiliar environment and the struggle to find motivation to accomplish goals while being stuck at home, can precipitate side effects.

Luckily, there is always a way out. You can tune in on your inner strength with some key exercises that will be listed and described below. Those will help to lower stress and overcome mental health issues.

Silence as a healing effect

Quietness is a rare power in a world full of noise. If you do not live alone somewhere in the middle of nature, you are probably surrounded by noise for most of the time. It may be the neighbour who has just decided to mow the lawn or perhaps your family watching their new favourite TV-series at high volume etc. Sometimes you just need to get out and spend some time in silence. Set aside a moment where you connect yourself with nature and just sit in your thoughts. Remember to keep your focus at a high level to get the best chances of calming your inner chaos. Meditation at home or at a silent place is also another good option.

Indulge in physical activity

Stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, are designed as protection against immediate bodily harm when we are under threat. However, stress in our modern world is mostly caused by other situations nowadays and so physical exercise can be used to get rid of excessive stress hormones and ultimately helps us to feel mentally healthier. Physical activity can also bring out other important benefits such as deeper relaxation, improve the quality of sleep, memory and cognitive functioning, higher self-esteem, and spiritual connection. So, when you feel stressed and tense, just go for a brisk walk. Try to incorporate some physical activity, for example walks, gymnastics, runs or bicycling tours, into your regular daily routine.

Let your creativity run wild

According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, writing about positive emotions – for example about one’s most beautiful life experiences – may help to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as common health complaints (such as headaches, colds and back pains).

Simultaneously, having your negative emotions written down may help you deal with thoughts and feelings and improve your mood too. Getting things “off your chest” normally always improves one’s mental health.

Another creative method to find your inner circle is art. Children in particular understand instinctively the power of art as they paint or draw whatever they feel or comes to mind. Art made freely and according to one’s own whims is probably one of the best ways to express oneself and one’s feelings. Furthermore, creating art can help alleviate stress and issues of mental health; not only can it steer your mind from troubling thoughts, but potentially allow one to enter the state of flow, which is similar to meditation.

It is easy to incorporate a few of these techniques into your daily life. Not only are they the key to wellbeing but also to handling your emotions better and lightening up your mood.

 Sources:

https://www.inc.com/kevin-daum/7-ways-to-cultivate-your-inner-strength.html

https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/stress-tips.html

https://www.verywellmind.com/art-therapy-relieve-stress-by-being-creative-3144581

https://theconversation.com/to-reduce-stress-and-anxiety-write-your-happy-thoughts-down-99349

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/physical-activity-and-your-mental-health/about-physical-activity/

https://www.bbrfoundation.org/blog/everyday-mental-health-tips