30 Minutes In The Sun
My therapist told me that every day it is sunny, I should go outside for 30 minutes. She explained that I should take the time to go outside, and that a busy day should not keep me from feeling the sun on my skin. We already do not get enough vitamin D, so try to get as much of it as I can.
According to Healthline, “Studies have shown a link between vitamin D deficiency and depression. Researchers behind a 2013 meta-analysis noticed those study participants with depression also had low vitamin D levels. The same analysis found that, statistically, people with low vitamin D were at a much greater risk of depression. The researchers believe that because vitamin D is important to healthy brain function, insufficient nutrient levels may play a role in depression and other mental illnesses. An earlier 2005 study Trusted Source identified vitamin D receptors in the same areas of the brain associated with depression.
Eat More Fruits and Veggies
A healthy intake can simply make you feel better overall. It is one of the simplest wellness tips. I found making a smoothie that gave me enough for 3 servings a day made me feel WAY better. I increased my fruit and veggie intake in a delicious drink, which also gave me more nutrients than I had been. My body physically was changing, I was sleeping better and I had more energy.
Take Cold Showers in The Morning (not hella cold)
According to Healthline, “Increased circulation is one of the top reasons experts recommend cold showers. As cold water hits your body and external limbs, it constricts circulation on the surface of your body. This causes blood in your deeper tissues to circulate at faster rates to maintain ideal body temperature.”
Don’t Touch My Phone First Thing When I Wake Up
Using your phone in the morning can affect your brain’s ability to prioritize tasks. “The information overload that hits [you] before you’re fully awake interferes with your ability to prioritize tasks,” Dr Said Nikole Benders-Hadi, a psychiatrist, was quoted as saying by Elite Daily.
Create a Routine
Having a routine can keep you from falling or even staying in a slump. For so many days I did nothing with the hopes of doing something but it was easier to maintain being active and productive when I had a good routine and regime.
Habit Tracking, Planning, and Writing
Make lists of things you need to do, and mark them off. For me this gives me a sense of completion, when I complete tasks it makes me more likely to want to complete more tasks. Plan out your day so that your important items get complete even if your smaller ones don’t and be sure to account for your routine. I have been blocking off time on my work calendar to workout and even get a walk in the sun. Lastly, write about how you feel, even if it is just for yourself. Do not think about it, just put the pen to paper to let your thoughts get out.
Support System
Having people who support your health is always important. People who hold you accountable for the things you should or should not do. People who check on you, encourage you, hype you up, and people who give you your important love languages.
Avoiding Negative Things
Stop creating space for negativity, even if it isn’t about you. Opening your life up to negative thoughts, information and people can be damaging to your progress. This can include gossip, negative thoughts about yourself, or even the news.
Cleaning Up/Redecorating
As I mentioned in another post, cleaning up has always been a good way to pull me out of a slump. I am sure it is a combination of getting up and moving, completing the task, and having the final product of a clean space. Something about that clean space feels so good and less like chaos and sadness
Make an Excuse to Look Nice
One of the things I have started was to find a reason to get dressed, even if it’s to run errands. Because feeling good is oftentimes linked to looking good.
So, if you are in the fight like I am… I encourage you to make opportunities to look good. Go ahead and wear that cute outfit you have been saving, have a weekly spa day at home, take all the selfies you want, and be cocky when you do because no one is better at being you than you.
