Every once in a while, taking a big deep breath is just what the doctor ordered. We know it probably seems impossible to relax when you’re running on pure adrenaline and have an endless to do list every day. But finding that time is extremely important for your mental health.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, our friends at Virtua Health put together this list of five mindfulness activities to help you relax, take a deep breath, and calm your mind.

• Gratitude Lists

  If you’re stressed out and feel like nothing is going your way, take time each day to make a list of between five and 10 things that you are grateful for. This will help ground you and allow you to focus on all of the good things in your life.

• Journaling

  Journaling is proven to help with emotional processing and self-reflection, both of which are important for mental health. It can be done in a variety of ways, such as answering a specific prompt or by writing about how you’re feeling. You will be more relaxed once you get your feelings onto some paper!

• Yoga

  When it comes to mental health, yoga is amazing. It helps to boost mood, reduce stress and anxiety, improve quality of sleep, and help you feel more connected to yourself. It also improves cognitive function and can help your entire body relax. Best of all, it’s something that anyone can do from anywhere.

• Coloring Books

  One of the most fun ways to help calm your mind is coloring. Coloring can help reduce both anxiety and depression. There are a ton of different coloring book options to choose from, but we recommend a “mandala” like adult coloring book to help your mind simmer down. Happy coloring!

• Cold Plunge

  Taking a dip in a freezing cold tub and taking ice cold showers have been huge crazes lately. And rightfully so. This trend greatly benefits both your mental and physical health. It helps reduce depression, provide stress relief, enhance quality of sleep and more. Talk to your doctor to make sure it’s a good option for you.

• Now more than ever

  Now more than ever, it’s important to put your health first. If you aren’t feeling like yourself this season, our friends at Virtua Health can get you the care you need. Get the conversation started and connect with one of their primary care physicians today.

• For more:

  Visit Highway to Health.

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