If you are someone who drinks cacao in a ceremonial and conscious context, you are likely aware of the positive benefits of cacao on mental health.
By shifting your mood, all sorts of positive outcomes can result, such as motivation, inspiration, and relaxation or reduced anxiety.
We share this today because it is National Health Awareness Month here in the United States. The theme this year is “Look Around, Look Within.” This theme brings to the forefront the effects that our surroundings have on our mental well-being. We need to be aware of our mental health every day, not just this month.
Developing practices that bring stability and nurture our mental and emotional health is key to living a happy life.
Mental Health Practices
Here we share some practices you can begin implementing for your mental health this month along with the theme of “Look Around, Look Within”
- Take inventory of your surroundings. Are the spaces you spend your time in conducive to your joy? Are the people you surround yourself with in alignment with how you wish to feel daily? If not, what small changes can you make each day to live in an outer world that will nourish a healthy inner world?
- Compile a playlist of songs that put you in a positive mood. Sound directly impacts how we feel. Research has shown that music can have a positive impact on our brain chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin. Whenever you need a pick me up, put your playlist on and give yourself space to breathe along with the sounds that bring you pleasure.
- Create an environment that is uplifting. Cleaning and organizing may not be the most glamorous of things, but it makes all the difference in how we feel on our day-to-day. Especially if we work from home. Take some time to bring new energy to your space. Clean up clutter, beautify your space, allow air to flow and perhaps even get a few plants to invite the energy of nature into your home. If you’d like to learn more about how your home environment affects your behavior read this wonderful article from the Newport Institute on the environmental effects on mental health.
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection - Buddha
