When I work with clients in mental health counseling, I emphasize the importance of nurturing the mind, body, and spirit every day. But what does this truly mean? It’s about recognizing that our well-being isn’t solely dependent on physical health; mental and spiritual health play equally vital roles. By adopting a holistic approach that integrates all three aspects, we can more effectively manage and heal from mental health challenges, creating a balanced and healthy life.
Practices for a healthy mind:
Do something to stimulate your mind every day. Doing so helps manage and prevent depression, anxiety and other mental illness or mental health symptoms. Focusing on the mind helps heal trauma, helps with stress management and, helps prevent dementia.
Create a Mantra
Make a mantra, and utilize it three times a day, helps our minds to work towards freedom from negativity and dispels negative self-talk or negative running commentaries. Examples of mantras include, “I love and accept myself”. “I am peace. I am calm. I am joy.” “I feel good physically, emotionally, and spiritually”.
Talk to a Counselor
Mental health therapy is a great way to treat your mind. Working with a Licensed Mental Health professional ensures support for being as healthy as you can be. Reading material about being healthy, watching documentaries on being mentally healthy, reading books to better your knowledge in any area and researching ways to manage your mental health symptoms are all good ways to work on assisting your mind in being as mentally healthy as possible, every day.
Journal
Journaling is another positive activity for the mind and can also be a spiritual practice. Journaling is a great way to set positive intentions for the day, set goals, help shift your thoughts from negative to positive; to help process overwhelming emotions and situations, help heal trauma and manage PTSD.
Simone Biles, the GOAT of gymnasts, spends up to two hours every day journaling. She jots down her goals for the day, positive words to say to herself that are inspiring and positive, and journals about issues she may be having. She has talked about this habit, for her mind and spirit, being instrumental in working through trauma she has experienced in her life.
Write a Gratitude List
Keeping a Gratitude list is another great idea to treat your mind and spirit Some may think it sounds hokey, but I’ve actually witnessed people’s mind sets change when they do keep a gratitude list and combine it with other ways to shift thinking to the positive side. Every day, list three things you are grateful for. The trick is you can’t repeat something you have listed on another day.
Challenging yourself to keep a gratitude list shifts your focus on what you are missing in life to what you can be grateful for. Studies have shown gratitude is not just a temporary fix. Being grateful can promote greater happiness, insight, and better overall health for us. Science has also shown that practicing gratitude daily can help ease anxiety, promote better sleep, better mood, and overall better physical health.
Practices for A Healthy Body:
When we treat our bodies well, they will serve us well. Taking care of your body ensures the body can help the mind do a healthy job. Treating the body means you are:
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eating properly,
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taking any medication you are prescribed and regularly taking,
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getting proper nutrition by eating three healthy meals a day,
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getting the right amount of sleep your body needs, nightly, and
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exercising for as close to 60 minutes a day as you can do.
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Practices for a Healthy Spirit:
Treating your spirit is something that is personal to each of us. Some may have a specific religion or faith they follow. Some may have a spiritual lifestyle they follow, and some may have a higher power that helps guide them. Your spiritual beliefs are part of maintaining good mental health which includes focusing on spirituality every day. Spirituality may be practiced by:
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- praying,
- meditating,
- practicing yoga, or
- talking to your higher power.
Conclusion:
Incorporating a holistic approach to mental health counseling by treating the mind, body, and spirit daily is essential for fostering overall well-being. By engaging in practices that stimulate your mind, nourish your body, and nurture your spirit, you lay the foundation for a balanced and fulfilling life. Whether through mental health therapy, journaling, or practicing gratitude, these daily habits can empower you to manage stress, heal from trauma, and cultivate a deeper sense of peace. Remember, prioritizing your mental health is not just an act of self-care—it’s a commitment to living your best life.
If you are suffering, are unhappy, are experiencing difficult relationships, or dealing with stress and other negative situations, contact me today to setup your first appointment and start incorporating mental health counseling into your self-care routine.
In kindness,
MM