Sustain a Healthy State of Mind
Green Goal #5
When we think of green goals or living green, we don’t often think about our mental state of being. But as we’ve discussed, just being in nature can have a profound effect on our mental health. So, as we think of living more sustainable lives, we should also consider sustaining a healthy state of mind as well.
May is Mental Health Awareness month. This month we reflect on and pay more attention to our social, emotional, and psychological well-being. Being mindful of our stress levels and triggers, practicing self-care daily, and managing our health through diet and exercise are great starts toward better mental health. We’ve come up with a few more activities you can try that are fun and will have you feeling like you’re walking on sunshine. Come on, Perksters, it’s time to feel good!
Mind Your Mood
We’ve all felt angry, stressed, anxious, or even depressed and that’s ok. “Adulting” can be hard. In fact, according to Mental Health America, “anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in America,” affecting over 42 million adults in the U.S. alone. These feelings can often lead to low self-esteem, avoidance of loved ones, and mood swings if left unchecked. Doing little things to boost our mood periodically, and even daily, helps us cope with life in a more fulfilling way and does wonders for our mental health and overall well-being.
Top 5 Mood Boosters
- Volunteer – Volunteering creates a sense of connection with others and gives us the “warm fuzzies” inside.
- Listen to Music – Ever heard of music therapy? Music affects chemicals like dopamine in our brain, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure and joy, reducing our stress levels. Try platforms like Spotify or Pandora to play your favorite songs or discover new melodies that please.
- Switch Up Your Personal Space – Change the energy in your personal environment with a pop of new color or by rearranging your furniture. Think, “Feng Shui!”
- Green Exercise – Take a nice long walk or hike in the woods and allow nature to take its course and begin your healing process.
- Make a Calming Candle – Aromatherapy is very useful for relaxation and reducing stress. So, add some calming lavender, chamomile, or sage oil to your candle.
“People who volunteer actually experience a boost in their mental health”
– Elizabeth Hopper, Ph.D. for Greater Good Magazine
The Mental Perks of Retail Therapy
Retail Therapy, believe it or not, is a real thing and has been proven to jumpstart those chemicals in the brain that we previously spoke of, giving us huge boosts in our mood and attitude. According to clinical psychologist, Dr. Scott M. Bea, shopping has psychological and therapeutic value. We get an immediate rush of joy and euphoria and even a sense of control in our lives when shopping. And when rewarded or given a “perk”, that feeling of joy is heightened! We not only feel great about the pure act of shopping but we’re getting rewarded for it in the form of a discount or savings as well. It’s that feeling you get at the grocery store when you hand the cashier your coupons and smile as the total drops lower and lower right before your very eyes.
So go perk yourself up and sign in to your EnviroPerks account. Shop small and save big with deals at local shops in your area or reward yourself and the planet with eco-friendly products from EarthHero. And don’t forget to check out the incredible rewards on Perks+! We promise it’ll make you feel better. Wink, wink.
Traveling Your Way to Peace of Mind
Sometimes the best way is to get away. Traveling or taking a vacation is a wonderful way to alleviate stress and get ourselves back to the center.
“Travel itself can be a break from stressors piled up back home; a literal escape where you can focus on your own pleasure and yourself can be a welcome change of pace, and help reduce your body’s stress hormone overdrive.”
– Jean Kim, M.D., psychiatrist
Whether it’s a nice, relaxing vacation on the beach or a fun-filled vacation with the family, traveling and experiencing new things allows us to free ourselves of the mundane which helps to stimulate our brains. Our cognitive skills are improved, the reward circuits in our brains are reactivated, and it boosts our mood.
And as a Perkster, you can find great ways to “vaca” through Perks+! Use a little retail therapy and get deals for airline flights, hotels, and even vacation packages. Simply sign in to your EnviroPerks account and look for the Perks+ icon at the top of your screen. Click, and begin your trip to a better you.
Mindful Planeteer
The truth is that life can be hard, but we can make it easier on ourselves when we take care of ourselves. Our emotional and psychological well-being matters and the way we feel and see ourselves dictates how we experience life on this planet and the way we treat it. So, go find your bit of sunshine and try to sustain a healthy state of mind.
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Jammica Boone is a writer and content creator for EnviroPerks
***If feelings of depression, anger, or anxiety persist or become simply unmanageable, please seek medical attention and care immediately.***