One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to have fun. And we get it, easier said than done! But “having fun” should be an intention when you think about how to best maintain your mental health.
Setting an intention allows you to achieve the desired experience through action. For example, it is scientifically proven that smiling can actually make you happy. If you practice smiling every day, even if you don’t want to, there is a chemical reaction that happens that helps fight off stress and release other neurotransmitters like serotonin, a natural antidepressant.
Eventually, the more you smile, the more you feel good. And when it comes to mental health struggles, it can feel like an uphill climb to remember to smile or have fun. That’s why we need to make it an intention! Much like smiling, there are other practices you can put into place through intention to help you keep feeling good.
Here are five ways you can support your mental health while having fun:
Attend a cooking class or another activity that you’re passionate about.
Do yoga, work out, or dance.
Go through a guided meditation with your best friend.
Learn about aromatherapy and use it during times/activities that bring you the most stress.
Take up a hobby, such as gardening or knitting.
There are a lot more examples we can provide, but the rule of thumb is that how you maintain your mental health should include intentions and practices that bring you joy. Throw everything else out of the window! Don’t actually do that, but you know what we mean!
And again, easier said than done, but consistency helps build routines. Sometimes, routine, coupled with a little bit of fun, is the best way to support your mental health.