3 Changes That Can Improve Our Mental State and Anxiety

We often go on in our daily lives with so many unhealthy habits. These habits can be small, but together they can have a bigger impact on our mental health in the long run.

The more I became aware of them and the more I change them, the better I’ve been feeling after a while.

Changing the quality of our inner voice

Some time ago, while talking with a friend, I made a joke about how I was bad at sports. My friend immediately asked me a question that really surprised me: “would you have said that to a friend or a child?”

It might seem like a simple question but with it, I’ve realized how harsh I was actually being with myself. I would never say such things to someone else, and yet I was so carelessly saying this kind of thing to myself.

I’ve then promised my friend, and mostly to myself, that I will be mindful of what I say to myself. At the same time, I also became gentler and more compassionate with myself.

After a while, I began to actually feel better and more confident. Every time I’d feel a negative criticism arise internally, I’d feel tensed up and uncomfortable. But whenever I immediately shifted to a more empathetic self-talk, I began to feel more at ease and loving.

We usually don’t notice our inner voice, as it often runs in the back of our minds, unconsciously generating tension and anxiety. So when we begin to change that, we begin to feel more at ease.

Changing the content I feed to our mind

I haven’t been watching the news for a few years, and the last time I did, it only took me less than 20 seconds to feel the impact of its negativity on my mood.

It’s important to keep up with the major events in the world. However, a lot of the news not only has little value to add to our lives, their negativity often has a depressive effect on us.

I’ve also been avoiding movies that are mindlessly negative, violent or depressive, as I usually can’t learn anything about them and yet my mind would stay anxious and uncomfortable for a while, as if their impression is left at the back of my mind.

Even with music, nowadays I’m careful with the type of songs and their lyrics, as it often conditions the state of my inner world and subsequently, my manifestations. For example, I would avoid songs that portray unhealthy relationship dynamics as it doesn’t resonate with me nor I’d want it to.

These contents are often like junk food. They might seem tasty at first, but they leave our body feeling sick and not truly satiated.

They can also negatively affect our dopamine reward system, keeping us addicted to what’s more stimulating even if it’s unhealthy.

As I purged these out of my mind, I feel overall more positive and at peace.

Changing the food I feed to my body

Years ago, I shifted to a vegan diet and as I began to avoid processed foods, sugar, excess salt and other unhealthy intakes, I began to feel better not only physically, but also mentally. My mind is clearer, and I have more energy overall.

This change really amazed me, as I realized how unhealthy my diet has been and how the presence of unhealthy food actually dominates most shops and restaurants.

If I want to grab something for breakfast, most of the food and drinks sold at the coffee stores are full of sugar, stimulants and dairy products. Healthier food is often more expensive and sold at fancier stores.

After eating cleaner and healthier, my body would react negatively whenever I eat sugar or something processed, which made me realize how big of a difference unhealthy food can be. Whenever I feel sick, my brain would also get foggier and it becomes temporarily less capable of focus.

Summing it all

While it might seem unnoticeable at first, changing these habits one by one and over time has changed my mental health for the better. I get to have more energy, clarity, focus and positivity.

And the healthier my mind is, the more sensitive it becomes to any unhealthy intake. I can really feel the negative impact whenever I fall into the temptation of taking in any mental junkie, that over time their appeal is lessened.

Mónica Valverde is a daydreamer navigating the experience of human life. She’s in love with Spirituality, Inner Work and Relationships.

If you find this interesting, feel free to check out other related articles:

How to Shift Your Inner States of Consciousness Without Gaslighting Yourself

4 Limiting Beliefs that Might Be Delaying Your Success and Abundance

Mind, Body And Negative Patterns Stored in the Subconscious

—

This post was previously published on MEDIUM.COM and is republished with permission.

***

You Might Also Like These From The Good Men Project

Compliments Men Want to Hear More Often

Relationships Aren’t Easy, But They’re Worth It

The One Thing Men Want More Than Sex

..A Man’s Kiss Tells You Everything

—

Photo credit: Author