Ways to Grow a Healthy Mindset
We all know how we’re supposed to take care of our bodies. We should engage in healthy eating, regular exercise, and stay away from alcohol and processed foods. In fact, we may hear these messages so often it can feel like they’re practically drilled into our heads!
Indeed, it’s essential to know how to take care of your physical health. However, there’s another major part of ourselves that doesn’t receive the same kind of attention: our mindset. A healthy mindset can be just as important as a healthy body when it comes to our overall sense of well-being, so you should really make sure you’re taking care of both.
If you have yet to learn some ways to grow a healthy mindset, we’re here to help. Check out our tips below.
Engage in Self-love and Self-acceptance
A lot of people have a hard time loving and accepting themselves, and that’s perfectly understandable. It feels like we’re being constantly bombarded with images from social media and TV of what our lives are supposed to look like, and it’s easy to get down on ourselves if we feel like we just can’t compare. However, this doesn’t make self-love and self-acceptance impossible - it may just take a little bit of work.
Try reminding yourself that every individual is unique, so there’s really no point in comparing yourself to others. Focus on being your own authentic self and love who you are, flaws and all. When you replace those negative thoughts about yourself with more positive ones, you’ll be able to approach the other areas of your life with a healthier mindset.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude can be great for the mind. It involves identifying and appreciating the positive things in life, from the beauty of nature to recovering from a serious condition.
There is actually research that demonstrates the positive effects of gratitude on mental health. For example, one study showed that regularly practicing gratitude can help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety.
To incorporate more gratitude practice into your own life, you have lots of choices. You can try journaling, telling people you’re grateful for them, meditating on the positive things in life, or even giving thanks through prayer. Everyone has the ability to practice gratitude, even if it's only for a few minutes a day.
Live in the Present
Mindfulness is all about being aware of and living in the present moment, and it can do wonders for your mental health and mindset. Research shows it can reduce rumination, stress, and emotional reactivity, and at the same time improve working memory, focus, and cognitive flexibility.
It can be difficult to live in the moment and not think about the past or present, but you can get there if you’re willing to put in the effort. Those that are brand-new to mindfulness practice may want to follow a guided meditation to help familiarize themselves with the process. With all the positive benefits mindfulness can have on your mindset, it’s certainly worth a try!
Looking for more ways to contribute to your overall sense of well-being? Contact cedar + sage today to ask about our wellness services!