10 Tips for Mental Health Care in 2024
Welcome to 2024, where taking care of your mental health is more exciting and important than ever! Gone are the days of drab and dreary self-care routines. Today, it’s all about infusing your mental wellness journey with creativity and joy. Whether it’s the pressures of a fast-paced world or just everyday challenges, your mental health deserves all the TLC it can get. And the good news? There are countless delightful and easy ways to boost your mental well-being.
If you’re on a quest to rejuvenate your spirit and mind, stick around for our top ten tips for mental health care. From the bliss of a professional massage to the zen of a wellness studio, and the magic of self-massages to the serenity of a steam room, we’ve got a whole toolbox of ideas to help you set your mental health on a vibrant path. So, let’s get started and unlock the secrets to a happier, healthier you with Soul2Sole Massage Studio in Edmonton.
10 Essential Tips for Mental Health Care
1. Professional Massage
A professional massage is excellent to benefit your well-being. Massages are incredibly diverse, focusing on the body, mind, and soul. More specifically, a massage can focus on a specific body that needs attention.
If you didn’t know, a head massage is one of the best massage services to consider since it relaxes the mind directly. Head massages utilize strategies that emphasize the central nervous system of the head, spinal section, and sacrum. Head massages can be significantly beneficial for mental health in several ways:
Stress Reduction: One of the primary benefits of head massages is their ability to reduce stress. The gentle pressure and movements on the scalp can help release tension in the head and neck area. This physical relaxation can translate into mental relaxation, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Stimulation of Endorphins: Massaging the head can stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural ‘feel-good’ chemicals. This can lead to an improved mood and a sense of well-being, which is particularly beneficial for those experiencing depression or anxiety.
Improved Sleep: Head massages can promote better sleep quality by relaxing the mind and body. For individuals struggling with insomnia or sleep disturbances, which are often linked to mental health issues, a head massage can be a natural way to improve sleep patterns.
Relief from Headaches: For those who suffer from tension headaches or migraines, which can be exacerbated by mental health issues like anxiety, head massages can offer relief. By reducing muscle tension and improving circulation, head massages can help alleviate headache symptoms
Other Professional Massages to Consider Include:
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Traditional Thai Massage
- Hot Stone Massage
- Thai Stem Massage
- Prenatal Massage
- Sports Massage
2. Wellness Studio
Many studies have shown the benefits of massages on the frequency of chronic tension headaches. The studies showed head pain recurrence was effectively decreased within a week of beginning the massage protocol. Besides the massages, wellness studios are great to get an extensive sum of benefits at once.
A wellness studio is a foundation that offers well-being management for the body and mind. Wellness studios typically offer skin health and body management, including health, individual maintenance, and more. Our wellness studio also offers other traditional forms of healing such as acupuncture, myofascial cupping and Thai Stem massage. Try out Soul2Sole for a wellness studio that promotes holistic well-being, focusing on the health and harmony of the body, mind, and spirit
3. Self-Massage For Mental Health Care
Self-massages are great because they allow people to relax without the help of others. One of the best self-massage techniques to consider is the thumb and cheekbone technique, which eases Headaches and Tension.
Start by setting your thumbs on your cheekbones near your ears. Next, use your fingertips to apply strain delicately and rub your temples (the spot between the edge of your eye and your ear).
Utilizing firm pressure and a slight roundabout movement, progressively move your fingers up along your hairline until they hit your temple, rubbing your whole brow and scalp as you inch along.
What to Use For A Self-Massage:
When it comes to self-massage, there’s a whole world of handy tools to make the experience easier and more enjoyable.
- Foam Rollers: Ideal for large muscle groups like the back, legs, and shoulders. Lying down on the foam rollers can be done at the gym or in the living room if there is enough room.
- Massage Balls: Perfect for targeting specific points, especially in the feet, neck, or hands. The best massage balls are hard and spiky balls. The small spikes are to help improve blood flow and reduce pain and inflammation.
- Electronic Massage Guns: Provide consistent, adjustable pressure for the neck, back, and shoulders, especially useful for hard-to-reach areas.
- Therapy Canes or S-Hooks: Designed to allow for deep pressure application in hard-to-reach spots. The Therapist’s Choice® Pressure Point Hook Cane can help with the relief of knots.
4. Going to Steam Room For Mental Health Relief
Steam rooms are fantastic at getting the body to relax and promote a better state of mind. If you happen to be in the Edmonton area, consider stopping by our Thai Herbal Steam Room at Soul 2 Sole.
If you didn’t know, a Thai Steam Room is a treatment that uses steaming with herbs, believed to benefit the skin and mind more than a traditional steam room. Our steam room utilizes a unique combination of Thai herbs, including bergamot, turmeric, lemongrass, mangosteen, camphor leaf, and mint. The process refreshes your body, relaxes your mind, and rejuvenates your soul.
Visit Soul2Sole’s Thai Herbal Steam Room To:
- Relaxes and Rejuvenates Your Muscles
- Prepare your body for Thai Massage
- Promote the Elimination of Toxins
- Supports Womb Healing After Childbirth
- Relieve Nasal and Lung Congestion from Cold and Flu
- Help with Weight Loss
5. Eating Healthy Helps Boost Your Mental Health
Treating your body right is one of the best ways to benefit yourself more than just physically. Not to mention, there are plenty of diets out there that have science to back up their benefit. Whether you go vegan, vegetarian, paleo, keto, low-carb, or gluten-free, there are indeed benefits to anything. Either way, try to keep your carbs low, eliminate sugar, drink water, and a good source of protein is ideal in any situation. Eating well is important not only to physical health but to mental health and wellness, too.
6. Sleeping Well – Yes, It is Vital For Your Mental Health Care
Sleep is arguably the most vital part of a person’s life. All life on Earth needs sleep, even the most simple organisms. Many Canadians do not get a good night’s sleep, and this potentially hinders their immune system, mental health, and well-being. Getting good sleep can lower irritability, promote better moods, and make someone feel more alert. Sleep disturbances are common in various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Good sleep practices can help alleviate symptoms of these conditions and are often a critical component of treatment plans. For more information regarding how sleep disorders such as insomnia can affect your mental health and to learn all about sleep, we recommend the Matt Walker Podcast.
7. Going for Long Walks in Nature
Sometimes, a person needs to clear their head and eliminate all of the external factors driving them mad. Going for a long walk is one of the best ways a person can do that, potentially eliminating the constant negative thoughts that have been rattling around in their head. Long walks have several scientifically-backed benefits for mental health, and regular walking can help regular sleep patterns that are critical for mental health. Walking, especially in nature, has been shown to lower cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone. This reduction in stress can lead to improvements in overall mood and a decrease in feelings of anxiety and depression.
Nature vs Urban Walks
In a Stanford University study, two groups of people walked for 90 minutes – one group in a natural area with trees and shrubs, and the other along a busy road. While their heart rates and breathing were similar, their brain activity was different. The group walking in nature had less activity in the part of the brain linked to negative thoughts and feelings. This suggests that being in nature can help with managing emotions and feeling better.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of brisk walking in nature to start and gradually increase if you are seeing benefits to your mental well-being. Focus on relaxing thoughts, clearing your mind and breathing.
8. Going for Scenic Drives Helps Clear Mind
Like going for a long walk, scenic drives are great at getting your mind off whatever is bothering you. If you live in a large city, drive until you’re no longer in an urban area and see where the road takes you. All you need is a tank of gas, a few hours, and some good tunes for the best results.
A study using the Mappiness app, which asked participants to rate their well-being at random times during the day, found that people reported higher happiness levels when in more scenic locations. This relationship held true even after controlling for factors like weather, activities, and companionship. Psychology Today also emphasizes that taking in long-distance views has therapeutic effects on our physical and mental well-being.
If you are in Edmonton, head over for a quick 1 day or weekend trip to Jasper for a beautiful scenic drive to focus on your mental health and well-being.
9. Exploring the Outdoors Does Wonders For Your Mental Health
Not enough people realize the natural connection humans have to the outdoors. If you’re worried about anything going on in your life, take a trip outside and see what it does for you. Spending time in nature is not just good for your happiness and making friends, but it also improves your memory, attention, and creativity. It’s kind of surprising, but being active in nature can also reduce your risk of getting certain diseases like cancer. Plus, it helps your body in other ways, like your metabolism, which is how your body uses energy. So, basically, being in nature is really good for both your mind and your body in a lot of amazing ways!
Whether you camp, hike, fish, or rock-climb, all of it is beneficial to the mind. Go out in nature; Alberta has a beautiful nature scene for all to enjoy!
10. Reading
Similar to exploring the outdoors, not enough people read. Even if you have no interest in reading, there is undoubtedly a genre out there that’ll entice you in some way. An excellent way to start is to think about what kind of movies you like and apply them to what you read. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media for hours or spending too much time on other addicting phone apps, try to pick up a book or even a Kindle and start reading. This helps you with your long-term attention focus and mental health.
Further Reading Related To Books For Your Mental Health.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel van der Kolk
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
Want to Enhance Your Mental Health Care? Visit Soul2Sole!
We understand the importance of mental health care at Soul 2 Sole Studio in Edmonton. Our services are high quality, reliable, and affordable. As a client, you desire quality and cost-effectiveness, making it a heavy focus on what we offer.
Book ahead with our new online booking system and head over to Soul to Sole for the best massage therapy in Edmonton.
