Throw yourself into each moment of life! Today I am excited to talk about one of the simplest, most effective ways to immediately improve your mental health, and it all begins with one basic decision: Do the next thing best. Mental health clinicians use a variety of theories and applications when working with clients, and while many of these approaches can be effective, an even simpler way to go is to look at what’s right in front of you and fully engage in the activity to the best of your ability. We can’t change what has already happened, and looking too far ahead will run the risk that you miss out on what is going on right now, but we can always direct our attention to the next thing we do, and we can try to do it to the best of our ability.
Dive in!
So what do I mean when I recommend to do the next thing best? Actually, not anything dramatic or attention-seeking, but simply to channel all your focus and energy toward what you are doing in that moment. Below are some examples:
- A conversation with family member or friend. Be an active listener, lean in, and try to engage! Appreciate the company you have and keep your phone in your pocket, and be sure to share a smile and laugh together!
- Exercise. Turn off the noise and put all your energy into that yoga pose, leg press, or lap around the track. Give it everything you have and enjoy the endorphin rush!
- A creative project. Whether you are playing music, sculpting a figure, writing lyrics, or painting a picture, make sure to adjust your attitude upward, focus on the task, and enjoy the process!
- Playing a sport. Forget yesterday’s game, and don’t worry about tomorrow’s…instead, embrace every moment with your teammates and coaches, appreciate the fans, and show respect to your opponent.
- Completing a work project. Rather than stress, try to instead look at the project and think of all the ways you can do it to the best of your ability. Why waste energy complaining when that same energy could go toward problem-solving, creativity, and resiliency?
While you could think this advice is a bit over the top, and maybe even corny, my experience has shown that by doing the next thing best it allows people to cull all their energy and direct it toward a specific goal, thereby increasing the chances for success and improved self-confidence. When we feel good about ourselves and believe in our talents and abilities, the likelihood that we experience mental health conditions like anxiety and depression decrease as a result. That alone is worth doing the next thing best!
Final thoughts
While you could go about your day dividing your attention between your phone and your family, work, and friends, a better way to go is to direct all your focus into whatever you are doing in any given moment. Doing the next thing best is a great way to improve mental health, and it something we can all do with a little practice and responsibility. Additionally, self-care by means of healthy decisions and actions allows us to steer clear of risky pharmaceutical drugs and/or other more complex (and potentially dangerous) mental health treatments.
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