Making conscious choices that enable you to feel well is at the heart of mental self-care, and when it comes to the human brain, you can only be as mentally healthy as the proper functioning of this mighty organ. Thankfully, there are many approaches to nourishing both the mind and the brain to achieve optimal wellness and psychological resilience.
Mental health involves behavioral (how people behave), emotional (how people feel), and cognitive (how people think) well-being in its broadest terms. It touches every aspect of daily living — from physical health and interpersonal relationships to stress management activities and a lessened risk of illness. However, mental health is pivotal to leading a joyful, healthy lifestyle beyond merely the absence of a mental illness. Caring for your mental health can help you boost your energy levels, expand your ability to cope with life’s challenges, and, ultimately, savor life to its maximum potential.
While there isn’t a rule book or infallible view on talking about mental health issues, it is worth reckoning how alternative remedies can be utilized in addition to and complementary of mainstream treatments. These treatments won’t stop mental health challenges alone, but they can be valuable tools to restoring balance and fostering a sense of mental wholeness.
Keep on reading to learn a few tips and infuse your home life with brain-happy vibes regardless of your lifestyle routine.
Create A Safe, Relaxing Space
There is nothing like feeling secure and at peace in your own space, whether that’s the bedroom, the living room, or the entire house. Indeed, having a stress-free sanctuary you can retreat to is crucial to good mental health, a place where you can soften, relax and be thoroughly you.
Begin by asking yourself, what do I like? What soothes my senses and makes me feel invigorated? Then, let your mind expand and take your creative juices up a notch by considering color, smell, texture, sound, visual elements, and overall aesthetics, to name a few.
Go Herbal
Multiple spices and herbs can be beneficial to your mental health because of their ability to support cognitive function and general healthiness. From a scientific perspective, these are some herbs that have been studied and analyzed for their effects on specific diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia:
Nutrition Is Always A Powerhouse Starting Point
It is no surprise that metabolic health is inextricably linked to mental health because when you eat for your brain, you eat for your fundamental well-being.
By focusing on whole, unprocessed foods, you’ll be paving the way to better and improved metabolic vigor, insulin sensitivity, and mental health all over. Here are a few easy but tasty foods to incorporate into your daily eating regime:
- Healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil, wild-caught fatty fish (think sardines or sockeye), etc.
- Fermented, gut-friendly foods like miso, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, or kombucha.
- Leafy greens such as kale, microgreens, arugula, beet greens, spinach, collard greens, romaine lettuce, watercress, to name a few.
- Dark chocolate! Packed with brain-flourishing compounds (hello, antioxidants and flavonoids!), cocoa and dark chocolate might be a good way to improve memory performance or combat memory decline.
The Takeaway
Mental health is a pillar of long-term, sustainable wellness, and while it may look different for everyone, it is crucial to find and explore what resonates with your goals and needs the most. In addition to creating a stress-free sanctuary, proper nutrition, and herbs, many other remedies can help you address your mental health integratively, from striking a yoga pose to supplements and beyond.
