Daily Well-Being Tips: Using the MINDS Score
Did you know everyday activities that support our physical health positively impact our mental health, too? They both work together to support our daily well-being! We often disregard how our mind functions within the context of our body. Using the MINDS score helps you cultivate everyday activities that boost your mental health and overall functioning.
So what does MINDS stand for and what are some examples??
M: Movement – How can you incorporate movement into your day?
- Walking with a partner not only boosts your mental clarity and physical health but it makes conversations more disarming for both parties.
- Stretching is an excellent way to care for your muscles while harnessing mindfulness to regulate your emotions and anxious thoughts.
I: Interconnection – Did you connect with someone in a meaningful way today?
- Grabbing a smoothie bowl or coffee with a friend or family member offers you connection, validation, and support in a way that is intrinsically human. From the moment we are born, we crave connection. Seeking it out, especially during busy days, will have a positive impact on our mental health and can support the mental health of our friends and family, too!
- Video Chatting with a friend offers both of you a unique experience to share your environment with someone you care about, slow down, and view your life and progress from a wider lens. This, in itself, can decrease stress, anxious thoughts, and rumination.
N: Nourishment – Did you eat nutrient-dense and healthy foods today?
- Adding a healthy food item to each meal rather than focusing on restriction can support a healthy relationship with food, ensure steady progress, and support your overall mental health.
- Cooking your own healthy food is a great way to add mindfulness within your daily routine. Slowing down, cutting ingredients, and adding your own creativity offers you a moment to check in with yourself.
D: Depth – Did I take a moment to be still today?
- Journaling is an excellent way to access our unconscious thoughts, gain understanding of the roots of our feelings and behaviors, and lower stress.
- Going for a drive and opting to drive one-way without music grants you the opportunity to sit with your thoughts, feelings, and needs rather than passively receive stimulation. Don’t underestimate the impact of those small moments! A moment of clarity can alter the course of the rest of the day.
S: Sleep – Did you get enough sleep?
- How would your sleep routine look if you coupled it with self-care? If you love skincare but don’t have the time to do it during the day, take a moment to calm yourself and tend to your skincare right before bed. This can become a ritual that helps your body know it’s time for a good night’s sleep.
- What’s a non-phone activity you’re wanting to spend more time with? Adding that right before bed can improve your quality of sleep. Journaling, reading, or drawing can all support your mental wellness.
At the end of the day, add up your MINDS score (between 0-5). On days when you’re at a 4-5, you’re usually feeling good and more like yourself. On days when you’re at a 0-2, you typically don’t feel so good. Taking a moment each day to pause II with the MINDS score can significantly improve your daily well-being.
Interested in learning more practical skills with a therapist? Contact me here for a FREE consultation call to see if I’m the right fit for you.
Interested in learning how to not let work stress linger for the rest of the day? Check out the blog post here.
Take good care,
Jasmine
