13 Ways Writers can improve their Mental Health
Writing is largely a creative and imaginative process which requires a lot of depth and ingenuity to deliver what may be considered as the best piece of writing any Writer can produce.
Even though what maybe termed as the best piece of writing is a subjective view, this is one of the challenges Writers encounter in this creative journey.
Lately, there have been cases of Writers committing suicide and experiencing bouts of depression. It is all an attestation to a breakdown in mental health.
This blog post will be advising Writers on thirteen (13) easy ways to improve their mental health. Since the brain is the faculty of imagination and understanding, it is necessary to keep that part of the body insured and secured from mental issues of all sorts.
1. Exercise and Eat Healthy.
Dear Writer it is necessary to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle and workout routine. Your body is your greatest asset. Eat properly and at the right time too. Maintain a healthy balanced diet and make sure to exercise often. Also adopt a simple exercise routine that helps in keeping your joints and muscles flexible.
2. Relax More.
As someone once said, "The Writer's curse is that he puts his feelings into everything." Dear Writer, don't stress much over the tiniest things, relax and breathe. Live every day like it's your last, hold no grudges and take on only the much responsibilities that you can handle.
3. Associate with Positive people.
Who are your friends? What spirit or energy do they give when you are around them? Are they pushing you up without pressure or pulling you down with so much intimidation? These are reflective questions you should ask yourself. You should associate with fun loving, optimistic and goal oriented people. Friends who would liven your spirits.
4. Stop bad habits.
Bad habits are a clog in the wheel. They stagnate you and never help you move forward. Is it smoking cigarettes, pornography, promiscuity? Whatever habits that suck up your productive time should go in the bin. Leave these habits behind and improve your health.
5. Ask for help.
Most of the Writer's time is spent in solitude and it is enough room for pessimistic thoughts and a defeatist mindset to bloom. When these dark thoughts or feelings arise. It is good to ask for help. Please ask for help. Speak to someone about it. Whether it's the loss of a job, a rejection from a contest, or delayed response for publication. Speak to a psychiatrist, doctor, psychologist, friend any positive person who can be of help.
6. Do what makes you happy.
When you begin to feel sad or down? Do what makes you happy. Engage in those activities that liven you up. The things that get you cheery and bubbly, do them.
7. Volunteer.
Sharing your skills and impacting in the lives of others is another way to get your mind away from the things that bother you. It is in service that we loose ourselves and embrace who we are. Volunteer your skills in activities you are passionate about, spread kindness and see your mental health improve.
8. Keep a Diary.
It's okay to keep a diary, to document how you feel, how many times you feel down and how you have been able to overcome these episodes. Journaling will also help you say those things you wish to say on paper that you could not say out to anyone.
9. Communicate More.
A balanced mental disposition is obtainable in people with good communication habits. Communicate more with people around you. If someone hurts your feelings, let them know, life is too short to hold grudges. If you want something ask nicely for it.
Most of the things we want and desire are the things we have not been bold enough to seek or speak of.
10. Keep a Gratitude journal.
Another way to improve mental health is to adopt a thankful mindset. It's sad that people who suffer from depression only see more of their failures than their triumphs. Be thankful for every win, no matter how little they maybe. Be grateful for every accomplishment and note it down. Look back on your wins more often, be proud of yourself and be motivated to know you can do much more.
11. Stay away from the Internet.
Have you ever imagined what life without the internet seemed like many years and centuries ago? Williams Shakespeare, and notable Writers of that time lived and flourished in their art without Facebook, busy timelines and worrisome hash tags. Sometimes keep your phone away and get comfortable with your surrounding with your immediate environment and discover the possibilities in it.
12. Pamper Yourself.
Dear Writer, you are what matters first, before your writing. Find time to relax, to burn out pressure and stress. Treat yourself to warm baths, have a good hair cut, make that hairstyle you have being dreaming of. Go to the spa, eat that meal you have craved for. Just reward yourself for you.
13. Encounter Nature.
Nature is beautiful, nature is so much peace. Nature will afford you the solitude and companionship you need to say those things that you have bottled up for long. A visit to a recreational resort or natural space will bring you the placidity that should help you achieve bliss.
A balanced mental health is important, especially in today's world where there's a lot of toxic attitude and lifestyle that can threaten one's sanity.
We hope you find this post enlightening.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @moncoeurglobalconcept for more tips and writing education.
About the Author
Even though what maybe termed as the best piece of writing is a subjective view, this is one of the challenges Writers encounter in this creative journey.
Lately, there have been cases of Writers committing suicide and experiencing bouts of depression. It is all an attestation to a breakdown in mental health.
1. Exercise and Eat Healthy.
Dear Writer it is necessary to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle and workout routine. Your body is your greatest asset. Eat properly and at the right time too. Maintain a healthy balanced diet and make sure to exercise often. Also adopt a simple exercise routine that helps in keeping your joints and muscles flexible.
2. Relax More.
As someone once said, "The Writer's curse is that he puts his feelings into everything." Dear Writer, don't stress much over the tiniest things, relax and breathe. Live every day like it's your last, hold no grudges and take on only the much responsibilities that you can handle.
3. Associate with Positive people.
Who are your friends? What spirit or energy do they give when you are around them? Are they pushing you up without pressure or pulling you down with so much intimidation? These are reflective questions you should ask yourself. You should associate with fun loving, optimistic and goal oriented people. Friends who would liven your spirits.
4. Stop bad habits.
Bad habits are a clog in the wheel. They stagnate you and never help you move forward. Is it smoking cigarettes, pornography, promiscuity? Whatever habits that suck up your productive time should go in the bin. Leave these habits behind and improve your health.
5. Ask for help.
Most of the Writer's time is spent in solitude and it is enough room for pessimistic thoughts and a defeatist mindset to bloom. When these dark thoughts or feelings arise. It is good to ask for help. Please ask for help. Speak to someone about it. Whether it's the loss of a job, a rejection from a contest, or delayed response for publication. Speak to a psychiatrist, doctor, psychologist, friend any positive person who can be of help.
6. Do what makes you happy.
When you begin to feel sad or down? Do what makes you happy. Engage in those activities that liven you up. The things that get you cheery and bubbly, do them.
7. Volunteer.
Sharing your skills and impacting in the lives of others is another way to get your mind away from the things that bother you. It is in service that we loose ourselves and embrace who we are. Volunteer your skills in activities you are passionate about, spread kindness and see your mental health improve.
8. Keep a Diary.
It's okay to keep a diary, to document how you feel, how many times you feel down and how you have been able to overcome these episodes. Journaling will also help you say those things you wish to say on paper that you could not say out to anyone.
9. Communicate More.
A balanced mental disposition is obtainable in people with good communication habits. Communicate more with people around you. If someone hurts your feelings, let them know, life is too short to hold grudges. If you want something ask nicely for it.
Most of the things we want and desire are the things we have not been bold enough to seek or speak of.
10. Keep a Gratitude journal.
Another way to improve mental health is to adopt a thankful mindset. It's sad that people who suffer from depression only see more of their failures than their triumphs. Be thankful for every win, no matter how little they maybe. Be grateful for every accomplishment and note it down. Look back on your wins more often, be proud of yourself and be motivated to know you can do much more.
11. Stay away from the Internet.
Have you ever imagined what life without the internet seemed like many years and centuries ago? Williams Shakespeare, and notable Writers of that time lived and flourished in their art without Facebook, busy timelines and worrisome hash tags. Sometimes keep your phone away and get comfortable with your surrounding with your immediate environment and discover the possibilities in it.
12. Pamper Yourself.
Dear Writer, you are what matters first, before your writing. Find time to relax, to burn out pressure and stress. Treat yourself to warm baths, have a good hair cut, make that hairstyle you have being dreaming of. Go to the spa, eat that meal you have craved for. Just reward yourself for you.
13. Encounter Nature.
Nature is beautiful, nature is so much peace. Nature will afford you the solitude and companionship you need to say those things that you have bottled up for long. A visit to a recreational resort or natural space will bring you the placidity that should help you achieve bliss.
A balanced mental health is important, especially in today's world where there's a lot of toxic attitude and lifestyle that can threaten one's sanity.
We hope you find this post enlightening.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @moncoeurglobalconcept for more tips and writing education.
About the Author
Francisca Ogechi Okwulehie is the founder of Moncoeur Global Concept and Author of two Fiction books.
She holds a B.A and an M.A in Philosophy from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Her works has appeared in the Afriworiliterary Project Anthology; The Different Shades of a Feminine Mind (2017) and the 84 Bottles of Wine For Wole Soyinka Anthology (2018). She has a penchant for highlife music.
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