If you suffer from anxiety or depression, you might find your mental health affecting different areas of your life when left unchecked. As someone who gets the blues often regardless of the time of year or what’s going on in my life, I’ve found that the key to starting and ending every day on the right foot means relying on a few daily rituals.
Sleep More
Fatigue and sleeplessness are considered common symptoms of depression, so getting enough sleep is something I prioritize. It helps me feel less lethargic and more excited to face the day. When I’m stressed about something or going through a busy period, sleep tends to fall by the wayside, and my resulting tiredness can heighten my feelings of anxiety. Making sure I get enough sleep is as simple as setting up a bedtime alert on my iPhone that lets me know 20 minutes before I have to be in bed if I want to hit my sleep goal.
Be Active
If feeling lazy and unproductive is a trigger for you, making time to do something that gives you a sense of accomplishment can be a way around that. In the past, I’ve put myself down and forced myself into a punishing workout to make up for simply missing a Spin class or not getting up early enough to work out. When I know there’s absolutely no way to squeeze a workout into my day and don’t want to deal with the emotional fallout of feeling unaccomplished, I do small things like walk up the escalators rather than stay stationary and walk the long way home rather than get the bus.
Blast Some Music
While it may seem rude to most people, plugging my earphones in and listening to my favorite tunes helps to focus and calm me when I’m feeling particularly overwhelmed during my workday. It’s also no secret that listening to music can trigger the release of happy hormones in your brain, which makes you feel loved and increases your sense of well-being.
