Soul Sustenance: Simple Tips to Brighten Up Your Mental State

As a mom with a busy schedule that demands 110% from you personally and professionally, some days it can be difficult to maintain a positive, bright, and uplifting outlook on life. When those challenging days hit, you may need a few tools in your toolkit to help you power through and feel better. So if you have been searching for simple tips to brighten up your mental state, here are a few to get you started:

Engage With Your Kids
It’s easy to fall into the mom routine and get stuck in a rut of interactions, or feel as though you’re missing out on important activities due to a busy work schedule. If you’ve been feeling down lately, consider reframing how you can engage with your kids. Creating a shared activity or checking in with them while you’re away could help boost your mood. 

Show Yourself Compassion
Many of us have successful careers and home lives due to our drive and determination to succeed. While this intrinsic motivation is helpful, it can also lead to a heavy dose of self-criticism, when we don’t live up to our sky-high expectations. Give yourself a little more compassion, and try not to guilt yourself about work-life balance being, well, out of balance.

It can also be helpful to surround yourself with people who support you. Often, just being around a trusted friend or family member can make the worst day feel a little better. Your support system is there for you through all of life’s ups and downs, so don’t be afraid to reach out and schedule some quality time when you need it. 

 
Complete Outstanding Home Tasks
If you own a home, then it’s likely those necessary, but not-so-enjoyable, home tasks may be weighing on your mind. According to House Method, a simple way to improve your mental state is to take care of home improvement necessities that have been looming over your shoulder, like getting your HVAC system fixed before summer begins.

Get Outside
One of the most effective ways to change your perspective and boost your mood is to step away from your desk, your responsibilities and any other frustrations by taking a walk outside. Spending time in nature is ideal, but even a quick walk around your block can work wonders to give you a fresh perspective. You can go it alone, or bring the whole family with you--whatever you need to reset and refocus. 

Laugh
It may sound a little cheesy, but smiling and laughing, even when you don’t feel like it, can be a highly effective tool for lifting your spirits. Whether you find a funny video, think of a happy memory, or simply look in the mirror and crack a smile, this is an excellent and fast way to change your mood. 

Remember, it’s common and natural to have days when you feel down. And when those days happen, these tips can help. However, if you feel that your mental state is a symptom of a larger problem, do not hesitate to contact your doctor, so you can receive proper care.