{"id":11839,"date":"2022-01-19T06:52:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-19T12:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shieldagency.com\/blog\/?p=11839"},"modified":"2022-11-18T13:50:07","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T19:50:07","slug":"22-tiny-mental-health-habits-that-can-improve-your-life-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shieldagency.com\/blog\/22-tiny-mental-health-habits-that-can-improve-your-life-in-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"22 Tiny Mental Health Habits That Can Improve Your Life In 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Huffpost.com<\/a> | By\u00a0Amber Gibson<\/a>12\/28\/2021 06:44pm EST | Mental Health | Health Insurance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-care won’t solve every problem, but these quick and easy activities may at least bring some happiness to your day.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another roller coaster year is coming to an end, and the lingering effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have certainly taken a collective toll on our mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no way to know what 2022 has in store for us, nor can self-care erase<\/a> the grief, trauma or other challenges we may have endured over the last 12 months. But as we look toward the new year, we can adopt healthy new habits to help incrementally improve our days, even if just for a moment. Sometimes, that\u2019s more than enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are 22 happiness tips to try in the new year:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Start a gratitude journal.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This only takes a few minutes. Recording positive things<\/a> about your day, whether major achievements or simple pleasures, can reduce stress<\/a>, improve sleep and even foster better relationships by building a sense of empathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThere is no right or wrong way to write a journal, but I recommend that this becomes a daily exercise,\u201d <\/p>\nJohn Lee<\/a>, director of clinical psychology at Executive Mental Health<\/a>.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Lee suggests journaling at the same time each day, whether before dinner or before bed, and identifying at least one item for daily gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take five deep breaths.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStress has many physical manifestations,\u201d explained Amanda Goldstein<\/a>, a psychiatrist in California. This can include issues like stomachaches or other digestive problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy changing your breathing pattern, you can trick your brain into suppressing your fight-or-flight sympathetic nervous system<\/a> and increase your parasympathetic activity, or rest and digest. Not only will this make you feel calmer, but it will also help you digest your lunch better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep a light therapy lamp on your desk.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour circadian rhythm regulates your sleep-wake cycle<\/a>, which affects bodily functions and behavioral responses,\u201d Goldstein said. \u201cExposure to sunlight, especially first thing in the morning, helps keep your clock on time. Since most of us work indoors, a light therapy lamp serves this purpose and gives a nice boost in energy and mood. And as an added bonus, it provides excellent lighting for video calls.\u201d (Here\u2019s how to use one properly<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drink water.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our bodies are made up of 60% water<\/a>, yet up to 75% of Americans<\/a> are chronically dehydrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sara Cullen, founder and CEO of GEM<\/a>, said drinking enough water daily helps boost her mood. \u201cWater is the essence of us and what we need in order for our micronutrients and functions to operate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the rest of the story…<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Wanna see more great articles in the Shield Insurance Agency Blog?<\/h2>\n\n\n