If you want to improve your mental health, you might use therapy services, take prescription medicines, and exercise more often. While these are typically the best options for people struggling with emotional and psychological issues, there are also a variety of other activities that can yield surprising mental health benefits. Here are just a few suggestions:

 

Art Therapy

Expressing oneself has always been a great option for those with a lot on their mind, and using various mediums, such as painting or sculpting, can help you to express complex and difficult emotions. People dealing with anxiety or depression can benefit from translating the emotions in their heads onto a variety of mediums while under the guidance of a professional art therapist.

 

Dance

Dancing can be an excellent way to alleviate stress and express yourself. It’s a convenient activity due to the lack of needed materials and the ease of doing it anywhere, at any time, and it’s a wonderful way to express your individual style and creativity. In many contexts, dancing can also be a social activity, and interacting with others can combat feelings of loneliness or being misunderstood.

 

Outdoor Activities

Interacting with nature can be a simple way to clear your head and reflect on life. Being in natural surroundings enables you to reconnect with the world and take your mind off of society and material things.

If fresh air sounds good but escaping into nature isn’t quite what you had in mind, how about a weekend trip to Los Angeles? You could check out some of those restaurants and bookstores you’ve been hearing about, followed by a stop at the Natural History Museum. You could even catch a Dodgers game if you’re a sports fan. You can find discounted tickets online through sites like TickPick which allows you to filter by date, price range, and seat rating. You can also utilize their interactive seating chart of Dodger Stadium to get 360-degree virtual in-seat views before you purchase.

 

Puzzles

Solving puzzles can provide a mental challenge that grants a sense of achievement upon completion. Puzzles offer you chances to pursue difficult tasks without presenting any real-world consequences for failure.

 

Watching Movies

Movies help people escape to other places, view the world through perspectives that are new to us, and present questions about the human condition we may be eager to answer. Studies have shown some surprisingly potent psychological benefits of watching movies.

 

Collecting

Collecting things creates a sense of accomplishment that compounds upon itself as the collection grows. There are also clubs built around collecting different things, so if you’re dealing with loneliness, you’ll get the chance to socialize with others who share your interest.

 

Cooking

Preparing food can be a fun and creative activity that generates positive feelings for those who enjoy serving friends and family members. Cooking dishes that are culturally or personally significant is also a great way to help others feel closer to you. Both the social and psychological effects of making food can be of great benefit to you.

 

Education

Learning new things can yield a sense of significant accomplishment and help us to expand our perspectives. Consider an online degree program to increase your range of knowledge and expand your job qualifications simultaneously. This can also be a great way to switch careers.

 

Use These Activities to Supplement Crucial Mental Health Resources

While the aforementioned activities can be very beneficial and enjoyable, they can’t necessarily replace the roles of medication and therapy if you’re in a highly distressing mental state. Consider finding a mental health professional if you need extensive help.