So, I've had a few people ask me why I am focusing on mental health to start off my healthy living blog. They are quick to point out that this time of year everyone is looking for good advice on diet and exercise, and I agree. There are, however, just as many people offering some great blogs on diet, exercise, and all of the New Year's Resolution type health related topics. I think that this time of year we tend to forget about our issues that affect mental health, both in ourselves and in others around us.
With that, I am going to continue on a topic that I started on yesterday. I shared one of my passions with you, photography. I also shared how finding that passion helped me through depression and anxiety that I was facing. Today I want to look at some ways that you can find your passion, and ultimately improve your mental health.
Finding your passion can be just as beneficial as the actual hobby that you fall in love with. You've already taken the first step by realizing that you are suffering, either from grief, depression, stress, anger, or something else. Now you want to be better, and you are looking for something that will help get you there. The first step is to take a good look at yourself. What made you happy BEFORE you felt like you do now. Do you love animals? Reading? Taking Pictures? Is there something that you have always wanted to try? How about gardening, a sport, or working on your car?
Don't go crazy and pick five different things to try, just pick one. Then take that one thing and run with it. Force yourself to do it, or think about it, every day. Carry that camera with you everywhere. Get out into your garden every day. (Or carry your camera out into the garden and you might just catch a moment of beauty like this one!) Go down to the animal shelter and volunteer to walk the dogs, then keep going back. The important thing to remember is that you are doing two things for yourself. You are forcing yourself to take a look at the things in your life that have (or have had) a positive impact, and then you are bringing those things back into your life by focusing on them.
It doesn't matter what you're dealing with in your life, self awareness is often a big step in the direction of getting back into a rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle. It all starts with you, are you ready?
With that, I am going to continue on a topic that I started on yesterday. I shared one of my passions with you, photography. I also shared how finding that passion helped me through depression and anxiety that I was facing. Today I want to look at some ways that you can find your passion, and ultimately improve your mental health.Finding your passion can be just as beneficial as the actual hobby that you fall in love with. You've already taken the first step by realizing that you are suffering, either from grief, depression, stress, anger, or something else. Now you want to be better, and you are looking for something that will help get you there. The first step is to take a good look at yourself. What made you happy BEFORE you felt like you do now. Do you love animals? Reading? Taking Pictures? Is there something that you have always wanted to try? How about gardening, a sport, or working on your car?
Don't go crazy and pick five different things to try, just pick one. Then take that one thing and run with it. Force yourself to do it, or think about it, every day. Carry that camera with you everywhere. Get out into your garden every day. (Or carry your camera out into the garden and you might just catch a moment of beauty like this one!) Go down to the animal shelter and volunteer to walk the dogs, then keep going back. The important thing to remember is that you are doing two things for yourself. You are forcing yourself to take a look at the things in your life that have (or have had) a positive impact, and then you are bringing those things back into your life by focusing on them.It doesn't matter what you're dealing with in your life, self awareness is often a big step in the direction of getting back into a rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle. It all starts with you, are you ready?
