11 Soothing Activities to Positively Impact Your Mental Health

When your life feels tricky to manage and overwhelming, there are a number of different ways in which you can deal with it. You could send yourself into a panicked spiral and start to list off all of the reasons why you should feel stressed out right now. On the other hand, you could immerse yourself into a soothing activity to take away your anxiety and regain some mental clarity.

Depending on how you’re feeling personally and what type of activities you enjoy doing, you may find that the following eleven soothing ideas have a positive impact on your mental health.

Whether you’re considering wellness retreats or hoping to spend a little bit of time at home doing a puzzle, there are a wide range of options for you to explore. Consider some of the following tips and you might be able to find a tranquil activity to help you feel at ease during stressful days.

1. Meditation

Meditation is such a calming and enjoyable activity to undertake when your stress levels start to spiral. Centering your thoughts and allowing your brain to switch off from any anxiety inducing situations can work wonders for your mental health. Follow a guided meditation and allow yourself to soak in each moment of this quiet time in your day.

2. Gentle Exercise

Carrying out vigorous exercise isn’t the ideal way to help your brain switch off from stressful moments in your life. This is why you should opt for something gentle and calming so that you aren’t putting any undue pressure on your body. Heading outside for a gentle walk in the fresh air, doing a spot of Pilates or taking your dog for a quick run around the park is the ideal tonic to help your mental health.

3. Games and Puzzles

When you want to distract yourself from stressful events in your life, you can turn to mentally challenging games and puzzles such as chess. You don’t need an opponent in the same room as you either; with online chess you can get stuck into a game anytime and anywhere! This type of activity not only helps to keep your brain stimulated, but it will also help to maintain some of your core cognitive functions for the long term too!

4. Reading

Opening up a book and getting lost in a whole new world is something that can never be ignored as a tranquil and relaxing activity. If you want to make positive impacts on your mental health, reading is such a cost effective and enjoyable activity to try.

5. Watching a Comfort TV Show

Why not delve into a new and exciting television show during this moment in your life? Well, it might put you on edge and cause your mental health to take a turn for the worse. Instead, you should opt for one of your go-to comfort shows so that you know exactly what’s going to happen next!

6. Calling a Friend

Gaining some words of encouragement and speaking about any notable events that have recently happened in your life is certainly going to help you feel better and more on top of your mental health. Calling a friend will instantly give you the comfort you need to feel more positive and optimistic. They may be able to offer a fresh perspective on certain situations too, which is always encouraging!

7. Singing

Grab your hairbrush, crank up your speakers and allow yourself to become Taylor Swift for just five minutes at the start of your day. Singing is a surefire way to boost your mood and give you an endorphin boost when you need it the most. Even if you’re tone deaf, there is something so refreshing about singing one of your favorite songs in the car or in the comfort of your own home.

8. Painting

You don’t have to be particularly artsy or creative in order to paint a stunning canvas from scratch. Painting is such a wholesome and enjoyable activity that will instantly help you to escape from any negative situations you may be experiencing in your life. Pick up your paintbrush and allow your imagination to dictate what you do next!

9. Cooking

Cooking is something that many people find to be therapeutic, relaxing and enjoyable, particularly if you’re looking to make the most of some free time. Cooking healthy and nourishing meals can provide you with boosted energy levels so that you can feel better on a day to day basis.

10. Journaling

There are so many benefits that go hand in hand with journaling, especially when you’re hoping to take care of your mental health. Pulling out a book and writing down your thoughts, feelings and emotions at the end of the day can help you sleep more peacefully at night as your mind is free from negativity.

11. Skincare and Beauty Regimes

Now would be the ideal time to enjoy a touch of skincare indulgence and self-care whilst you prioritize your mental health. Putting on a face mask, exfoliating your skin or putting an extra moisturizing hair mask onto your hair is a great way to look after yourself and give yourself a break from the day to day stresses of life.

All of these ideas are very easy to carry out in the comfort of your own home, and they’re extremely cost effective too. Not only will you be able to discover a new activity that you enjoy, but you’ll also be able to spend some time away from the day to day stresses of your life.

Whether you’re enjoying an online game of chess, or indulging in some much-needed skincare, you can make a huge difference to your mental health in just a few simple steps.

Remember, your self-care routine and soothing activities should be a priority in your day to day life, especially if they help you to feel calmer. Finding a soothing activity that helps you to regain your self-worth, mental health and confidence is the ticket to happier days and a more fulfilled life!