Good mental health is not just a state of mind; it is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle and career. Mental health determines how we handle stress, relate to loved ones, make decisions, and even how we think, feel and act. As a hardworking Sola-preneur in the modern world, we know keeping a positive attitude can be a balancing act. And even though we are nearing the end of Mental Health Awareness month, it’s important to keep mental health a priority all year round. So we shared some simple reminders on how to maintain the healthy mindset that will enable a thriving career, fulfilling relationships, and a positive attitude all year long. Just like exercise or healthy eating, good mental health takes practice, consistency and balance. It’s like a muscle – use it or lose it! When we’re on the top of our game mentally, we can handle anything that comes our way, personally, professionally or otherwise. The best part is, there’s always room for improvement – so these practices can only benefit us in the long run. There is never a bad time to give our mindset a little boost of sunshine with these balancing and nourishing practices: 1. Gratitude 🙏 Studies show that expressions of gratitude boost positive feelings and states of being—from hope and optimism to happiness and vitality. Scientists and psychologists agree that a daily gratitude practice can cultivate joy. Having a consistent gratitude practice empowers us to see the silver lining even on the most difficult days. Keep a gratitude journal to write down three (or 10 or 20) things per day that you are grateful for. We recommend doing this just before bed as a nighttime ritual, or first thing in the morning upon waking up. Another great practice is to write thank you notes as much as possible. Just expressing your gratitude melts stress away and uplifts your mood. It is said that when you focus on gratitude, you cannot feel anything else in that moment, because it is such an all-encompassing feeling. Plus, your loved ones will get a burst of good vibes from reading your heartfelt thank you note. 2. Meditation 🧘♀️ A secret to mental stability is maintaining a regular meditation practice. This can be as simple as 3-5 minutes per day of simply breathing and getting present. To be present means to get into your body, focus on your breathing, and simply allow your thoughts to be. Meditation does not mean that you stop the flow of thought, that would be nearly impossible, but to just observe what is without getting wrapped up in the story. A consistent meditation practice gets us grounded, in touch with ourselves, and sends blood flow to the brain. A well-oxygenated brain is a happy brain. We recommend meditation first thing in the morning to maintain a balanced mindset for the rest of your day. Experts claim that meditation leads to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting focus, presence, and patience. 3. Laughter 😂 Just like the old adage says, laughter truly is the best medicine. Studies show that laughter relaxes the body, relieves stress and even boosts the immune system. When we laugh, our brains release a chemical called dopamine, which makes us feel happy and at ease. It’s like our body’s very own in-house happy pills. So, meet your most hilarious friend for lunch, check out a comedy club, find killer standup comedy on Netflix, or try laughter yoga to get those deep belly laughs in. Whatever makes you laugh the hardest, just make laughing a top priority! 4. Get In Your Flow 🙌 They say that when we are doing what we love, we get into a flow state. Wikipedia defines this flow state as, “A mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.” As this buzzword, “flow,” has become more and more studied and observed, they are finding that people who spend more time in a flow state are happier overall. Getting into the “flow” requires an activity that you are able to fully immerse yourself in, whether it involves crafting, gaming, writing, exercising, sports, outdoor adventure, or whatever your passion may be. The flow state takes over your physical body and mind so that you can focus intently for a good stretch of time. This might be 30 minutes to several hours, depending on what gets you into your flow. Whatever strikes your passion, let it whisk you away into a flow state as much as possible to feed your body and mind. 5. Challenge Negative Thoughts 🙅♂️ If you remember one thing from this list, remember this: Not everything that your brain tells you is true. Humans are biologically programmed for survival and our brains are wired to spot danger, visualize outcomes and fend for our lives. Because that type of fight-or-flight survival mentality is no longer conducive in the modern world, it is important for us to