Most people tend to focus on their physical health without paying much attention to their mental health— until they start to experience the unpleasant repercussions. Your general wellbeing, as well as your productivity and even your happiness, all depend on your mental health. So before you find yourself on the verge of a breakdown or a burnout, take matters into your own hands and start taking care of your mind as well as your body. 

If you’re not exactly sure how to go about it, here are some simple and fun ideas to help you stimulate your brain and build a stronger mental foundation.

Crossword Puzzles and Word Games

Crossword puzzles and word games such as Scrabble are classic brain trainers. They combine the best aspects of language and strategy, giving you the perfect opportunity to expand your vocabulary while keeping your brain stimulated and engaged at the same time. You can’t win these games using only basic words. This means that, in order to come up with the highest-scoring words from the tiles you have at hand, you’ll have to search your memory for long, sophisticated words that you already know but don’t normally use. As a result, your brain will be active and you’ll stay mentally alert.

Another great advantage of these games is that you can play them both online and offline. This can come in especially handy if you want to occupy your mind on the go. You can simply look for puzzles and other word games to download on your phone, and if it ever gets too difficult, consult an online word finder until you get the hang of it. You’ll find numerous websites and mobile games that’ll allow you to play anytime and anywhere against an AI bot or with your friends.

Physical Activities

Physical activity is scientifically proven to be a natural antidepressant. This is because cardio exercises and aerobics such as running, cycling, swimming, and dancing involve exerting a lot of effort, which will elevate your heart rate and boost your blood circulation. As a result, the endorphin levels in your body will increase. These chemicals trigger a sense of euphoria, often accompanied by stress and pain relief.

In addition to the mood-boosting benefits, engaging in any physical activity for around 30 minutes several times a week will allow you to recharge physically. When that happens, you become mentally energized as well.

Breathing Exercises and Meditation

Meditation trains your mind to shut off all external and internal distractions, allowing you to be grounded and present in the moment. As you focus on your breathing while sitting or lying in a still position for 5-10 minutes a day, yesterday’s regret and mistakes will stop mattering, and tomorrow’s tasks and obligations will fade away. When you reach this state of mindfulness, even for a short period of time, your stress levels will decrease and you’ll start adopting a more positive attitude towards yourself and your life. This, in turn, will boost your mental health in a powerful way, both in the short- and long-terms.

Breathing exercises can be especially beneficial if your day-to-day schedule is particularly busy. Studies show that those who lead stressful lives and tend to multitask on a regular basis can have trouble performing activities that require prolonged and sustained concentration. Breathing exercises can help with that. Just a few minutes of deep breathing a day can significantly increase your attention span and focus, which, in turn, can improve your performance and productivity.

Adult Coloring Books

Adult coloring books have grown to be incredibly popular nowadays and for good reason. Coloring allows you to take your mind off negative thoughts, and it also gets your creative juices flowing— without requiring any intrinsic abilities or artistic skills. This activity is particularly helpful because, unlike many other approaches, it stimulates the brain without being too mentally invasive. In a way, coloring can even be a form of meditative exercise. As you focus on the beautiful colors and the flowing shapes, your thoughts will fade away, and you’ll fall into a steady and peaceful rhythm that allows both your body and mind to finally relax.

Your mind can either be the key to your happiness and success, or it can be the cause of your misery and failure. It all depends on how much time and attention you devote to your mental health. So, take your pick from the above-mentioned activities and start today! But remember, your mental health will only become stronger with regular maintenance. You’ll have to dedicate enough time in your schedule for these activities if you want to see any long-term progress.

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