Spending too much time in front of the screen can have adverse long-term effects on our mental health and overall happiness. For instance, ExpressVPN’s survey on Gen Z’s mental health showed that 86% of them feel that social media directly impacts their happiness, while 79% admit it makes them feel depressed.

So, if I’m spending hours on my phone, is that contributing to my mood? Perhaps.

here are some simple tips that can help you better manage your time and put you in the best position to succeed.

Our suggestions are tried and tested, why not give it a try.

How To Improve Your Mental Health

1. Take a Walk in the Nature

Taking a break and going for a walk can be like a massage for your brain.

According to multiple studies, nature has a positive effect on reducing and preventing symptoms of many mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and it’s been found to promote social interactions, improve sleep, and reduce negative thoughts.

Try to set a time in your day for walks in nature and make it a part of your routine. Visit a local park, garden, or forest and immerse yourself in the colors and sounds around you. Breathe deeply and observe the beauty of nature.

2. Meditate

The JAMA Internal Medicine journal conducted a meta-analysis of 18,000 scientific studies to conclude that meditation programs over an eight-week period can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

However, even when faced with many benefits of meditation, people are reluctant to start practicing since they often believe it takes years to establish a meditation practice, and requires intense focus to empty your mind completely.

Fortunately, that’s not the case. There are many forms of meditation you can choose from, but all of them are focused on learning how to observe your emotions and sensations rather than turning your mind into a blank canvas. Also, you can’t fail in meditation – there are better sessions and the ones where you’ll get distracted more quickly, but every time you decide to take five minutes to reflect on yourself is a time well-spent.

For example, mindfulness meditation is a great starting point, it’s a mental training practice that teaches you to slow down your thoughts – it’s even child-friendly.

3. Read a Book

As little as 6 minutes of reading per day has been shown to reduce stress levels, improve the quality of sleep, and strengthen the neural pathways of your brain.

Also, reading can increase people’s ability to empathize with others and teach them how to understand different viewpoints and values better.

For starters, find something you enjoy reading. It can be poetry, positive affirmations, or novels; it doesn’t matter. Always keep a book on hand and read at least two or three pages per day to develop a habit.

4. Learn a New Skill

Learning a new skill can positively impact your mental health since it helps boost confidence and self-esteem. From playing an instrument or learning a new language to graphic design and pottery, there are many exciting possibilities to choose from.

By Steve Green for Success Consciousness