Easy self-care solutions for people with no time to spare

You’re taking in the last few sips of summer. Your schedule is starting to fill up for the rest of the year. Maybe you’re going back to school or just taking less time for yourself. When life gets busy, being proactive about your mental health falls to the back burner. It may seem like you couldn’t possibly have any time for self-care, therapy, or any other great mental health tools, but life is never too busy to take just a moment or two for your mental health.

Here are six different ways to better your mental health, even when your schedule is packed full.

1. Healthy Eating

It’s easy when you’re in a rush to eat whatever is readily available. But sometimes, the food that’s most accessible doesn’t help fuel your brain properly. Science has shown that food can be an extremely powerful tool in dealing with mental health conditions. The healthier you’re eating, the healthier your mind can function. You’re likely already dedicating a little bit of time to eat anyway, right? So take that as an opportunity to make a healthy choice. Your brain will thank you.

2. Deep Breathing

This may seem like an obvious one, but we put this here as a reminder to consciously take some deep breaths throughout your day. You can do this while you’re getting ready in the morning, right in the middle of your workday, or even when you’re in bed at night. The power of your breath is amazing. That simple act allows you to check in with your emotions so you can be mindful and proactive in addressing anything negative that you’re potentially feeling. When your schedule seems overwhelming, just take a few deep breaths—it’ll only take a moment before you feel better.

3. Positive Thinking

When you’re moving from the minute you wake up until the minute you fall asleep, it can be hard to focus on the positive. But there’s some great science behind positive thinking. Research shows that positive thinking can actually transform your brain in some cases. Sometimes positive emotions can feel fleeting, while negative emotions can stick with us for the long-term. If you start to focus on the positive more often, your brain starts to connect to areas that weren’t previously stimulated. It then starts to associate those thoughts with other behaviors, and slowly that positivity turns into a habit. It takes no additional time in your day to try and think positively.

4. Quit Multitasking

With a podcast going in your ears, eight tabs open on your computer, and your phone in your hand, it can feel like you’re accomplishing everything you need to—all at once. It’s so easy to spend your day working on a dozen tasks simultaneously, but in reality, it’s lowering your productivity and impacting your mental health. Trying to accomplish more than one thing at a time can heighten negative emotions and make you feel more anxious, stressed, and irritable. Instead, try to end one task and intentionally switch gears to place all of your attention on another one. With some practice, you’ll be accomplishing more while feeling better.

5. Schedule 10 Minutes

No matter how busy your schedule is, deliberately carve out ten minutes that’s just for you. This can happen at any point in your day that works best for you, but don’t forget to set an alarm to remind yourself how necessary it is. In these ten minutes, you can meditate, go for a walk, stretch out your muscles, or even just make yourself a good cup of coffee. That time is about you and whatever is going to make you feel your best for the rest of the day.

6. Cut out the Unnecessary

This one is tough. An extremely busy schedule isn’t a sustainable way to live, and it certainly doesn’t help your mental health. The best thing for your mind may be to sit down and really think about what is actually helping you or making you happy. Cut out all of the obligations that just seem to weigh you down and all of the time-wasters that don’t fulfill you. Yes, that means scrolling through your phone for an hour. Sometimes, it may feel that every part of your schedule is essential, but for the long-term, really think about which aspects of your life are no longer serving you.

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It’s important to take care of yourself, and even more so when your schedule gets hectic. There are going to be moments when your free time is limited, but that doesn’t mean your mental health shouldn’t be a priority. Remember to take care of yourself, even when you’re busy, and use these simple habits to help keep you grounded and healthy.

6 Mental Health Habits for Your Busy Schedule