Your mental health is fundamental to your life and goals, and it's about time we all started giving it the attention it deserves. It's not only a question of serious diseases like dementia that could be waiting for you in old age if you don't take good care of your mental health; there are also significant impacts, ranging from the everyday stress, blues and lack of focus, energy and motivation in your daily life, to more serious conditions like depression and anxiety, that affect people in all stages of their lives.
It’s essential to have a calm, healthy and composed mind as you take on life's many challenges. So we have compiled a list of five simple activities that can help you boost your mental health.
5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Mental Health
Exercise
Physical activity is perhaps the most vital contributor to our mental health, and has been shown to be one of the most powerful cures for depression and anxiety -- more even than antidepressants. When you exercise, your body produces endorphins, which transform your state of mind and gives you the clarity and positive drive you need to sail through your days, even when stresses or pressures threaten to knock you off track. So next time you get off work and find yourself sinking into your social media feeds or binging on Netflix, catch yourself. Try spending that time jogging, working out, doing some yoga (which alone has huge mental benefits), or even just engaging in simple exercises at home.
Take a break, meditate
Take some time between work to relax and center yourself. Step away from the noise and clutter. Allow your mind to take a breather. When you do this, it allows your mind to be more attentive and fully present. You will become more aware of yourself, and will experience greater mental clarity as a result. You can also take this time to write down what is bothering you so that you can find a solution to that in due time.
Furthermore, when you increase your capacity for self-awareness, your creativity will increase, and will ideas come more freely to you. Keep a notepad handy to jot them down so that you don’t forget them. You can make the most out of this practice when you wake up in the morning too, where you can note down the ideas you had the night before.
Dark chocolate? Coffee? Where?
Ever wonder why you feel so good every time you enter a coffee shop or catch a whiff of the fresh beans brewing? Studies have suggested that the aroma of coffee beans might serve to ease feelings of stress, and drinking it can even help to reduce the risk of depression. If you are prohibited from too much caffeine and are trying to cut back, green tea with added lemon and honey can do the job of oxidizing your blood and activating your mind and body just as well.
Talking about body and mind activation, dark chocolate contains theobromine and various flavonoids that improve mental capacities. It also has caffeine. So keep one bar of dark chocolate hidden in your fridge, and help yourself to a little piece here and there. Do this every week and savor the chocolate moderately rather than gobbling it down.
Laugh and smile more
Laughter is truly the best medicine. Yes, we know Reader’s Digest does have a whole section on it. And for good reason; laughter reduces stress and anxiety. Smiling also reduces your heart rate and helps a feeling of calm wash over you in times of stress.
So take the time out to watch a comedy or TV series that gets you going with laughter. You could also goof around with a funny friend or watch funny videos online. Or you could go out of your way to help someone. The effort itself is memorable and rewarding.
Put down that phone
But only after reading through this article, of course. No, but seriously. All that unnecessary exposure to harmful rays, skimming and skipping through content, multi-tasking, constant notifications, bad posture -- the combination of bad habits they encourage have been shown to take their toll on your mental health over time.
Take this challenge today and make it go viral: Pick the right moment, and go without your cell phone for the day. Set all emails, alerts and notifications aside, and go about your daily routine without interruptions. Instead, talk with friends or coworkers face-to-face when you need to discuss things or communicate. It’s more than doable.
We hope this helps you out. Best of luck with trying these activities, and let us know if we missed out on your favorites.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.