2020 was so out of this world that you can’t fault people for losing it a little bit.
People got sick, they lost their jobs, and they lost their freedoms. Staying sane and mentally healthy was a very difficult task for some of us last year. It’s 2021 now, however. New year, new you. The, uuhhh, things might hit the fan again at some point in your life, and you need to be prepared to handle it in the best way possible.
I have compiled a few things here that you can start doing to keep yourself sane in these trying times, and be more ready just in case another 2020 ever happens. ::shudder::
– Learn to breathe the correct way.
You most likely have two nostrils. If you have more or less, cheers to you. What’s important is that you learn and train yourself to breathe out of those nostrils, and not your mouth. Deep breaths, in and out. Relax, and keep your tongue at the top of your mouth. You don’t have to be all spiritual about it, although no harm in that at all. Just remember that taking control of your breathing can and will positively affect your overall physical – and mental – health. Best of all, it’s free!
– Exercise
I am an advocate of daily exercise. That sounds like no fun and all that but I am not telling you to live in a fitness center. Just get up and MOVE! Take frequent walks, and occasionally make them brisk ones. I love the word “brisk.” I am glad to have an excuse to fit that in here.
In all seriousness, though, becoming more active is a necessary step to a mentally strong existence. It’s one of the finest stress relievers that exists. Whether you lift, walk, run, whatever, just do it as much as possible.
– Read
Buy a book. Stop scrolling those stupid apps and read an actual, published book. After you finish reading our articles, of course.
One easy way to add more quality reading into your life is through the Kindle app. Available free on your phone’s app store, you can get access to the entire Kindle catalogue right there on your finger’s tips. Now you can easily switch between the Twitter experience and the Kindle experience, and you can use the latter to feed your brain stuff that is “exponentially” less toxic. It’s what worked for me, that’s how I learned what the word exponentially meant.
– Don’t isolate yourself.
It can be tempting to put your headphones on [backlink to gift blog?] and mind your own business, not talking to a soul on the planet. That’s ok, I won’t lie. But the key is not to do it all the time.
Reach out to family or friends every once in a while. Even just a text. Humans need to interact with each other, as we are social animals. So please resist the urge to hibernate all the time when you feel stressed out. There’s always someone there for you, whether you realize it or not.
2020 is in the rear view mirror. Or better yet – a trash can, one that isn’t for recycling. That doesn’t mean that life will avoid testing you, though. By keeping on top of your mental health with these tips, you will be on your way to staying sane, and never having a 2020 ever again.
What do you guys use to keep yourselves sane? Let us know!
