The Best Ways To Unwind
Mental health feels like a big buzzword in all aspects of my life at the moment whether it's the wise words of 30-somethings preaching about the adjustment period after University, or cautions from my Mom about overexerting myself in work.
It's not just my life; as I'm writing this, news stories are fretting about the effect of social media on the mental health of students, council-funded groups being critiqued for not putting effort into their mental health schemes and a whole load of other articles.
Now I've always felt writing, and blogging helped me unwind after a day of crippling anxiety or an exhausting day in the office. But now I work in the online world; It can make it difficult to separate the work-life from home life. I try to keep this blog as an outlet for whatever I want to write about rather than stuff I feel will be relevant to people looking through my site (and that works well to separate work from play if anyone is reading this in the same business).
Even though the phrase feels trivialised by millennials, blogging and writing are a fantastic way to 'cure my anxiety'; it might not be everyone's cup of tea though. So I explored some other ways to relax and separate yourself from the day to day stresses.
Find a Pen Pal
The joys of working in a digital world, I have a great appreciation for old habits or dead arts. I listen to vinyl, I own a polaroid, and I write letters to my friends. Writing letters is a lost art, but it's the perfect way to keep contact with university friends and even friends who live just around the corner.
It feels to say that that's the only time I write with a pen, it's probably the case with many of you. Letter writing is entirely different from texting or writing an email; it allows the writer to think as they write and properly articulate their response. When you sit down to write a letter, you have the chance to reflect on your thoughts before retelling it to the recipient.
Why not keep the lost art alive for a little longer? If you don't have friends who are willing to join you, there's loads of website that connect wannabe penpals.
Know When You Need Time Off
Taking time off is such an important one at the moment. In today's society, it's so challenging to have the confidence to say I need the day off to look after me, but it makes all the difference when you do. Unlike working the 9-5 in the office, self-care days require doing absolutely nothing. You could spend all day without moving out your bed and binging your favourite show on Netflix, or you could spend the day experimenting with your new skin regime. Self-care days need to make you happy, and nobody else, the only downside to them is they're few and far between.
Here Are A Few Ideas For What You Get Up To:
Reconnect with old friends.
Have a hot bath.
Read a book.
Read a magazine (requires less thought).
Binge watch some Netflix.
Meditate.
My idea of the perfect self-care day is sleeping in past 8 am, watching YouTube videos until midday and hiding out in a local coffee shop writing until 5. It's the simple things that matter, and it's not that hard to book a day off!
Exercise
Although many of us hate the gym, it's been proven to help your mental wellbeing. It doesn't have to be a full-on hour of cardio or hardcore weightlifting if it's not something you're used to. It can be as simple as merely going for a walk outside on your lunch break rather than eating up your desk.
Why not just go for a brisk walk around the area or nip the shops for a fruit pot?
Like I said, the key thing with unwinding is that it's what you like to do to relax. This blog can only serve as a way to inspire you to find your own way to relax.
Make some time for you. :)