Five 5-Minute Tricks to Boost Your Mental Wellbeing

Here are five 5-minute tricks to boost your mental wellbeing for stronger mental health and clarity amidst life's chaos.

Let's be real for a second; I'm not the only one struggling right now. The phrase '2020 Vision' has never felt more apt. We've been thrown life-lessons left, right, and centre, and although it's good that we've been given lots of opportunity for personal growth, that doesn't mean it's easy! Even the strongest person needs a break now and then. After all, how can you take care of others if you're not taking care of yourself?

So, I thought I'd compile a list of five 5-minute tricks to boost your mental wellbeing. These simple tips are super easy to do and they take no longer than 5 minutes each, but they are designed to strengthen your mental wellbeing and give your brain a moment of clarity and rest. If you find you're getting overwhelmed with the weight of the world, take a moment out of your day to do one or more of these, and you will find the strength to tackle life.

1. Breathing Exercises

One of the simplest things you can do to boost your mental wellbeing is remember to breathe. This is talked about a lot, but I think it is often overlooked, as breathing is literally second-nature to us. But learning how to control your breathing will help you to overcome anxiety and stress. This will make you feel much stronger and give you a better ability to carry on with your day.

If you Google breathing exercises, you will find a never-ending list. For example, people recommend all kinds of different counting techniques, but honestly, I find that trying to count the seconds ends up causing more harm than good, so I would suggest either sticking with 5 or doing what feels most natural to you. I like to breathe in for 5, hold it for 5, and exhale for 5 to start with, but you can let your body find its natural rhythm.

Also, some people suggest breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, but again, do what feels most natural to you. I like to breathe in and out through my nose because that feels more right to me, and it's what I was taught to do in yoga.

You can do this one for 5 minutes or 50 minutes - it's completely up to you! Whenever you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious, take yourself somewhere quiet and breathe until you feel calm again.

2. Step Outside

Another super simple but highly effective trick is to step outside. It's no secret that some fresh air and a little bit of Vitamin D does wonders for the body and brain. Nature is Mother Earth's gift, so utilise it!

This can also be done for as long or as little as you like. If you can and want to, why not go for a walk? The exercise will release those endorphins and boost your mood almost instantaneously. But if you can't, for whatever reason, simply stepping out into your garden or onto the street can still give you all the benefits of a good walk. Take in the beauty of the outside world, from the tweeting birds to the sun breaking through the clouds. See how beautiful nature is and breathe in the fresh air, you'll soon start feeling better.

3. Meditate

Meditation is one of the best acts of self-care you can do to boost your mental wellbeing. And, with practice, you'll soon be able to stop what you're doing for 5 minutes and meditate, no matter where you are. It has so many tremendous benefits for your mind and body, so if you develop the ability to stop and sit for five minutes a day, you'll soon see the positive effects.

There are also plenty of free 5-minute guided meditations on Spotify and YouTube for you to follow if you struggle to meditate in silence. For a list of resources and more information on meditation, how to do it, and why it's good for you, why not check out my guide for beginners, here?

4. Listen to upbeat music

Honestly, a cheeky little dance to your favourite songs can sometimes be more than enough to shake off the stress and sadness of life. Not only are you getting your body moving and releasing those endorphins, but it's scientifically proven that dancing can improve brain health!

Even if you can't have a boogie, just listening to some happy tunes can get you out of that mental funk and into a happier, more motivated headspace. Stick your earphones in whilst you're working or studying and get that happy playlist on, you'll soon see your mood improve.

5. Get Unplugged

Social media really can be a wonderful place, but it's no secret that it can also harm your mood. If you're struggling, why not unplug from the world of Instagram, Facebook, and X for a little while? Taking a step back from the virtual world will allow you to practice some mindfulness and focus on yourself for a bit.

Not only will stepping back from social media benefit you, but coming off all electronics for a little while will too. The glare of phone and laptop screens can contribute to physical and mental fatigue, especially when looked at for long, uninterrupted periods. So, switch off your devices and focus on the real world. Even just five minutes will have you feeling less tired and stressed. Jump in the shower, watch the clouds go by, or even draw or journal. You'll soon feel more able to take on the world if you do.

So, there you have it...

... five 5-minute tricks to boost your mental wellbeing.

You don't have any excuses now to take some time for yourself. Doing one or all of these things a day will hopefully improve your mental wellbeing, helping you feel much stronger. Taking care of yourself is so important, especially if you want to keep up with daily life without it taking its toll on your mind and body.