Mental Health – Have fun
Slow down. Smell the roses…Stop filling every moment of your life. This is easier said than done, but the less things you are committed to the more time you will have to relax, catch-up and reap the benefits of a simpler life.
We all need to take time to slow down and relax. It is a big part of managing stress and enjoying our lives. When we do not take time to slow down, stresses can add up until we feel too overwhelmed to do anything. When we relax, it is easier to see problems and solutions clearly. It is easier to manage difficult feelings, and it is easier to see the good sides of things.
It is easier to focus on what is happening now instead of worrying about the past or future. How you relax is up to you. Yoga, meditation, tai chi and breathing exercises are popular activities or just not overcommitting to other people. Mental Health – Have fun, Other people relax by reading, doing art, exercising, spending time in nature or playing with pets.
Managing your time effectively, reminding yourself you need to slow down and factor in ‘you’ time every week. Become committed to you and letting your brain and body rest. Many community centres or community groups have classes you can join. You can also learn more online or in books.
Once you slow down there is more room to have fun! Which sounds frivolous but is actually a critical part of the well-being puzzle,
When life is full to the brim of things we have to do we forget what even having fun is about. It’s about doing things we enjoy, and this is good for our health. Downtime, having fun helps us feel refreshed, and helps us feel good about ourselves. When there is more balance in life, it’s easier to cope with stress and other problems.
When we feel sad or worried, we often stop doing the little things that make us happy. This makes us feel worse. Make a list of the things you can do each day that make you happy. Then give yourself time for these activities. Use your problem-solving skills to find ways to add more of these activities in your life. Here is an example. You may put “reading books” on your list, but you think that you do not have time to read. After doing some problem solving, you might start bringing your book to work or school to read during your lunch break. You may commit to a free computer/email day every week. A switch off day where it’s about being outdoors, not rushing and reconnecting with what makes you feel happy.
