The last few months of the year are often the busiest. As calendars fill up, self-care gets pushed to the side, and people begin to feel stretched thin. These busy times become most important to take care of ourselves and prioritize mental health above all else.
World Mental Health Day falls on Oct. 10 and was developed by the World Health Organization in 2013. The purpose of this day is to enact a global push to raise awareness about mental health around the world and mobilize efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues.
While mental health as a whole encompasses much more than these self-care practices, start by taking some time for yourself on World Mental Health Day with these tips from Guide.
Unwind with a free yoga class in Bo Diddley Plaza
After a long week, it is important to find some time in the day to unwind through exercise that focuses on the mind and body. A free yoga class while watching the sun set over downtown Gainesville while in mountain pose is the perfect way to take some personal time.
Free yoga classes are offered with instructor Jackie Moróne each Tuesday and Thursday evening in Bo Diddley Plaza. This is a great opportunity to end the night relaxed and ready to take on tomorrow.
Practice mindfulness through journaling
An important part of self-care is listening to yourself and taking some time to reflect. Writing down thoughts is a powerful tool. Finding small things to be grateful about can be a positive way to conclude the day. Guided mindfulness journals, like this one from Target, can be a great way to kickstart this process.
Get some Vitamin D on a walk through Devil’s Millhopper State Par
Vitamin D is an important aspect of mental and physical health, and it is taken in through sun exposure. Luckily, there is no shortage of sunshine here in the Sunshine State. There is also plenty of beautiful natural scenery to soak it up in.
With 1.6 miles of trails and a miniature rainforest at the sinkhole site, Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is the perfect place to take in some fresh air and appreciate nature’s beauty. Find more places to appreciate GG’s natural beauty in Guide’s full list.
Put on some happy tunes and dance around the kitchen
Research has shown that listening to happy music can improve mood. The universal language of music has the power to positively influence moods and emotions. Music helps release dopamine, the feel-good hormone, as shown in this study from The Journal of Positive Psychology.
Guide curated the perfect feel-good playlist to brighten up any day. Listen to it on Spotify — you may even start dancing around in the kitchen.
By Hannah Schoff.