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This is another guest blog post from Emma Grace Brown. She hits on the basics. Plus there’s a good reminder about brightening up your home. I have crystals in some windows because I’m delighted by the way the light shines through and hits the walls. Enjoy.

If you are among the many people who took part in “The Great Resignation,” you may be wondering, “What’s next?” Quitting your job to find another, more fulfilling career can fill you with excitement, but it can also lead to a lot of stress. That’s why it’s very important that you pay close attention to your mental health while navigating this time in your life.

When focusing on mental health, it’s important not to overlook the benefits of self-care. Often, small efforts in self-care practices can have a big impact. Consider following these five suggestions presented below by Mary the Medicine Woman to get yourself on the path to a happier, healthier you!

1. Hydrate

The body runs on water, but often people neglect giving it the hydration it needs. Thrive Global explains dehydration can leave you feeling tired and listless, causing headaches and other issues that add to mental stress. Do your body and your mind a favor and prioritize drinking enough water.

2. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is an essential bodily process but we often overlook its importance in keeping our bodies functioning well. Experts say the average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a night, and the negative effects of sleep deprivation are numerous. They include issues with memory, mood changes, difficulty concentrating and weight gain.

For better sleep, the Sleep Foundations suggests limiting the amount of time you spend interacting with screens before bed. Minimize both sound and light disruptions in the bedroom. Stick to a sleep schedule as much as possible, rising and going to bed at approximately the same time every day. Consider natural remedies for sleeplessness like lavender oil that can be diffused into the air or rolled directly onto the skin.

3. Reduce Stress

Finding an exercise practice you enjoy is a great way to reduce stress. Exercise has been shown to improve mood, boost energy, and promote clear thinking. It doesn’t have to be anything strenuous, either. Activities like walking, dancing and yoga are excellent ways to burn energy and balance your mind.

Many people find meditation to be an effective way to improve mental health. Even spending a few minutes a day meditating can be beneficial to your ability to manage stress, as well as benefiting you physically. As ZenBusiness points out, even something as simple as controlled breathing can help ease stress

Schedule time to relax regularly, even if it’s simply taking a long hot bath. Make it a weekly commitment and prioritize it just as you would anything else in your schedule..

4. Say ‘No’

Some people find it difficult to say “no” even if saying yes has a negative impact on their lives. If you find yourself saying yes to obligations you don’t have the time or mental capacity for, it may be time to practice saying no. Consider preparing statements to use when you are put on the spot such as, “I would love to help, but this project deserves someone’s full attention, and I simply don’t have time right now.”

5. Brighten Up Your Home

Your surroundings can have a serious impact on your mental health. Clutter causes people to feel overwhelmed and drains their energy. If your home is messy and dark, it may be affecting not only you but your family, too. If they are struggling or being negative, enlist them to help you in your efforts.

Go through the items cluttering up your home and make plans to get rid of the extraneous ones. Find a suitable place to donate them, host a yard sale or sell them online.

Once they’re gone, look for ways to inject your living space with freshness and positivity. Paint an accent wall in a bright color or install curtains that let more natural light in. House plants, even artificial ones, can make a home feel more relaxed. You can also amp up your decor in places that need a facelift. For example, if you’re into semi-precious gemstones, tiger’s eye can create an enchanting atmosphere by the way it shifts and plays with light.

Managing mental health is a lifelong process. Understanding and utilizing basic self-care practices is a wonderful first step on the path to health and happiness. Give your body the treatment it deserves and reduce your stress from outer and inner pressures to get your mind where you want it to be.