- Can we offer you a nice boulder in these trying times?
It seems more people than ever struggle with mental health issues, but that’s probably because we’re only now starting to figure them out. In any case, many of us need a bit of help dealing with our own heads.
When things get difficult, there are small — and strange — things you can do as a bit of a pick-me-up. Here are eight activities you might not expect to benefit mental health, but actual psychology professionals say they do.
Note that these activities are not replacements for expert mental health services. If you suffer from mental health issues, seek professional help.
1. Sing
Singing makes a lot of us nervous, especially if we’re not particularly good at it. But sometimes it can be beneficial to get over yourself and sing your heart out.
Multiple studies have shown that rocking out along to a song you like releases endorphins that boost your mood and make you feel good. It also releases oxytocin, a hormone that can reduce anxiety and feelings of depression or loneliness.
When you’re down in the dumps, try singing—even if it makes you nervous. Soon enough, you might not care anymore.
2. Jump on the Bed
Remember how much fun you had as a kid jumping on the bed? Even if you consciously don’t, your brain does.
See, psychologists say that the child part of our brain that wants to do something spontaneous and fun doesn’t ever really die. It gets suppressed but it’s still there and tapping into it every now and then can help us unwind from the stresses of adult life.
One way to do that is to jump on the bed like a kid. Just make sure your bed is sturdy enough — you’re probably not as light as you were as a child.
3. Pick Up a Rock
If you’re out on a walk to get away from your worries and see a nice boulder, pick it up. Grab that sucker, hoist it up, and hold it in your hands.
Picking up random big rocks is a form of grounding. It can remind us that not all things in life are full of stress and chaos.
Like that rock. Once you put it down, you just might feel a bit calmer. And don’t worry about handing your worries over to the boulder — we promise it doesn’t care.
4. Sweat
The Finnish have officially been the happiest people in the world for six years in a row now. They also have saunas. Coincidence?
Not necessarily. Sweating, whether from being in a sauna or from exercising, has been shown to reduce the levels of stress and anger, and even provide some relief to depression.
Maybe you’re literally sweating your stress out. The next time things seem overwhelming, try visiting a spa — or just crank up the thermostat.
5. Go Fishing
Catching a big fish is always a cause for joy. But just holding a fishing rod by a pretty lake or river can boost your mood.
A recent study found that men who regularly engage in fishing were 17% less likely to suffer from mental health issues. While the study only examined men, there’s no reason women can’t benefit from a bit of angling as well.
Maybe it’s because you’re going out somewhere quiet and secluded to engage in a calm, relaxing activity. Or maybe there’s something about fish.
6. Skip Your Shower
Keeping yourself clean can be important for maintaining good mental health. In some situations, though, skipping the shower can have a beneficial effect as well.
Sometimes, we get too caught up in our strict daily routines and they turn into sources of stress. Breaking those routines can help us feel freer and improve our mood and mental health.
Simply put, it just feels good to occasionally say “F*** it” and not bother showering in the morning. That’s especially true if you’re not going out anywhere and no one cares if you’re a bit stinky.
7. Get Tickled
Tickling can be torturous if it goes on for too long. Yet, in small doses, it can greatly improve your mood — after all, a hearty laugh is always good for us.
Studies done on rats showed that tickling them helped them overcome the fear and trauma caused by electric shocks. Tickle therapy reduced the levels of stress hormones and helped turn the rats into their old curious selves.
Although there haven’t been similar studies done on people, there’s certainly no harm in trying it out.
8. Speak to Yourself
Speaking out loud to yourself is often taken as a sign of a crazy person. Yet, being a bit crazy can help keep us sane.
The thing is, you talk to yourself all the time in your thoughts. Yet, voicing those thoughts out loud makes you slow them down, think about what you’re saying, and articulate your thoughts clearly.
Simply put, speaking to yourself forces you to organize your swirling, chaotic thoughts while also physically engaging different parts of your brain. As a result, the previously unbearable situation may start seeming more manageable.