The world has been more chaotic than usual lately. The pandemic, the sense of uncertainty –although things are returning to normal– and the news, are all enough to fill anyone with a sense of dread and anxiety. 

This is why if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone. Lots of people are feeling the same way. But there is a group of individuals who are taking control of their feelings and actually doing something to help improve their mental health. If you’d like to do the same, here’s how.

Take Good Care of Your Mind

Start by taking care of your mind. This means tuning out every negative stimuli and information. It may look like a small thing, but it’s pretty huge and can make all the difference in the world. 

The sense of apprehension you feel is probably from all the news you read and listen to. It’s from all the negative commentaries that you hear every day. So, shut that down. Resolve to stop listening to the news or commentaries. 

Then scrub your social media feed of everything negative. If you can’t then take a social media break. Unplug from all that noise. Do this for the next week and see how you feel. Most people report a significant sense of tranquility after doing this. 

Get in Shape

It’s summer, so you should be out there getting in shape. If you haven’t worked out in “forever”, now is the time to start. Exercise floods your body with dopamine and endorphins. 

These “feel-good” hormones improve your sense of well-being and can make a ton of difference in your day. People who work out frequently are hardly depressed or anxious.

Here’s a tip: whenever you’re feeling a little down, sad, or just lethargic, go do a 10-15 minute run, strength training, HIIT, or weight lifting. You’ll feel a lot better instantly –maybe a bit tired, but it’s the good kind of tired. And do this at least 4 days out every week. 

Do Something New

It’s time to spice up your life. Try a new drink, a new recipe, eat something different, do some dancing, learn a new skill, go on a warm winter weather escape… just do something to get out of the rut. 

Sometimes, anxiety and depression stem from being stuck in a routine, and things just get boring. Every now and then, you need to spice things up and you’ll find that you’re not as stuck as you thought you were.

Hang Out With Old Friends and Meet New people

Although this might be a bit scary to do –what with the new delta variant and all– you can still hang out, have fun with family and friends, and meet a few new quality people. 

One of the easiest things to do is attend open mic night –warning: you might hear a few deez nuts jokes, don’t freak out–, improv classes, or comedy shows. Laughter is great medicine, and best shared in a room or outdoor location filled with friends and some new people. 

Make an effort to make new friends and widen your circle. You never can tell the opportunities that they may bring your way. If you do these things, you’re likely to have better mental health, an improved sense of well-being, and an overall great view of life.