4 Simple Things to Boost Your Mental Health Fast

Here's what's happening on the HealthyPlace site this week:

• 4 Simple Things to Boost Your Mental Health Fast
• From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs
• Video: Bipolar and Suicidal Thoughts
• Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans
• Mental Health Quote

4 Simple Things to Boost Your Mental Health Fast

How can you boost your mental health fast? While mental health is an ongoing process rather than a one-and-done event, there are simple things you can do to give yourself a boost any time you need it.  Try doing these four simple things to boost your mental health.

1. Breathe deeply—with citrus. Pausing briefly to breathe deeply bathes the brain in the oxygen it needs. Citrus enhances moods, energizes, and reduces stress, so cut fruit and inhale the aroma or use oils.  
2. Hydrate. Dehydration makes us feel sluggish, and irritable, and can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. What you drink matters. Swap soda and sugary drinks for iced tea made from your favorite tea bags.
3. Stretch. Move your muscles to increase blood flow to the brain; relieve tight spots, aches, and pains; and stimulate the flow of energy through your brain, spinal cord, and muscles. Use poses from yoga or Tai Chi, or simply move your muscles deliberately from head to toe.
4. Throw Rocks. If you’re near water, gently tossing rocks can relieve stress. Throw a rock into the water, hear the sound it makes, and watch the ripples move outward. This is a mindfulness exercise that helps you turn your attention away from problems and into the moment.

If you’re looking to give your mental health a boost, these things can be done every day, throughout the day. The more you do them, the greater the mental health benefits.

Related Articles Dealing with Boosting Your Mental Health

• 10 Mental Wellness Tips to Improve Your Mental Health
• Breathing Exercises to Reduce Stress
• Why Take a Mindfulness Medication Course?
• Relaxation Techniques for Relief of Anxiety and Stress
• Anxiety Relief Techniques for Quick Relief from Anxiety

Your Thoughts

Today's Question: What is your favorite thing to do to boost your mental health when you need it? We invite you to participate by sharing your thoughts, experiences, and knowledge on the HealthyPlace Facebook page and on the HealthyPlace Google+ page.

From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs

On all our blogs, your comments and observations are welcomed.

• Bipolar Disorder and Motherhood: Should I Have a Child?
• Least Restrictive Environment: Including Special Needs Kids
• Meditating Through Physical Sensations of Anxiety
• Self-Harm Stigma: Feeling Embarrassed About Self-Harm
• Realistic Self-Care in Bipolar Disorder
• Are Threats Abuse? How to Recognize One When You Hear It
• Anxiety Strategies for Getting Through Your Day in Peace
• A Relapse Prevention Plan Is Essential to Addiction Recovery
• Coping with Rejection When You Have Depression
• I'm Not Sorry I Have Bipolar Disorder
• How My Good Friend Helps Me Cope with Depression
• Living with Your Parents as an Adult and Your Self-Esteem
• Understanding Eating Disorders for Family and Friends
• Testing Your Limits in Mental Illness Recovery
• Making New Habits to Cope with Anxiety Can Increase Anxiety
• Unrealistic Positive Thinking Can Harm People with ADHD

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments at the bottom of any blog post. And visit the mental health blogs homepage for the latest posts.

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From HealthyPlace YouTube Channel

I'm Hannah. I Have Bipolar 2

Bipolar and Suicidal Thoughts

I want to talk about a sensitive subject today: bipolar and suicidal thoughts. Suicidal thoughts are always present when living with bipolar disorder. However, it doesn't necessarily mean you are looking to act on those thoughts. They’re just present; especially during periods of depression. When you are in a deep depression, you feel very distant and disconnected. It feels like you are physically ill and just slowly withering away. I believe this partly contributes to suicidal thoughts. (Watch Hannah)

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Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans

Here are the top 3 mental health articles HealthyPlace Facebook fans are recommending you read:

1. Anxious Emotional Overreaction in Schizoaffective Disorder
2. Time Anxiety: The Feeling That 'There's Never Enough Time!'
3. Don't Say Things that Make Depression Worse for a Loved One

If you're not already, I hope you'll join us/like us on Facebook too. There are a lot of wonderful, supportive people there.

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Mental Health Quote

"I have this problems: I isolate myself, then become upset because I'm lonely."

Read more borderline quotes.

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