Looking for ways to better your mental health? Welcome to my 3 helpful lifehacks to get you started.
1."Box Breathing" method
Feeling scattered? Try bringing yourself some calm with just one breathing pattern. To start, inhale deeply through your nose for a count of four seconds, then hold the breath for another four seconds. Next, exhale slowly through your mouth for four seconds, releasing any tension.
This method is a 9/10 for me because it's extremely relaxing and instantly calming, especially during panic attacks. When you're in that moment where your chest feels tight, your brain is sprinting, and everything feels overwhelming, this technique forces your mind and body to slow back down.
2. "5-4-3-2-1"
When your mind feels overwhelmed, ground yourself by tuning into your senses. All you have to do is name five things you see, four things you can touch, three things you hear, two things you smell and one thing you taste.
The 5-4-3-2-1 method is a 6/10. While it is calming to the mind to find objects around you, it is also very boring and is really hard for people with ADHD. It can be extremely difficult to stay focused long enough to actually finish the full process without getting mentally distracted or annoyed with it.
3. Clean one corner rule
When life feels a little messy, clean just one small area. For example: your desk, your bed, your backpack. Even a small amount of order can bring a calm mindset. Instead of trying to clean your whole room or fix your entire life at once (which can feel impossible), pick one small area and let it give you a sense of control.
Lastly, this method is a 10/10, while it is hard for procrastinators to actually start, it gives you a sense of control, and instead of staring at a messy room and getting overwhelmed with what to start first, this method helps you break it down mentally and discover what area you actually want to clean first.
Credits:
Created with an image by Jenna Hidinger Photo - "Sadness Concept, Depression Concept, Unhappy Concept"