Mental health: 11 wellness tips, courtesy of GQ
There are no simple, one-size-fits-all solutions for mental healthsince there is no mental health problems simple and unique. But if starting conversations around issues like anxiety and depression The last decade has taught us something, is that it’s comforting to listen to the experiences of others, if only to remind us that whatever exterior we project to the world, most of us are united in the fight against something.
In that world mental health day, we share the little things we’ve tried that have made an impact on our daily lives. Like the guy at the gym who raves about jiu-jitsu, or those who find in meditation alternative to combat anxiety, we present the following not as a sole, rigid solution, but as inspiration. It may not be decades of therapy or an ayahuasca retreat in Peru, but the experience of the team at GQ to help you find your way to well-being.
Coffee Meditation, Oliver Franklin-Wallis
“Last summer, when I was mentally going through one of the darkest periods of my life, my therapist suggested I try something new. The number is called “meditation with coffee‘: Not some new drug-fueled wellness fad, but a little cognitive behavioral therapy elegantly simple. Here’s what it’s all about: when you’re feeling overwhelmed or need some space, make yourself a hot drink (although I drink coffee, any drink will do). Then you look for a quiet place, in the garden, in a comfortable chair, wherever. The important thing is a quiet place. Then… you drink the drink. The trick is how you drink it. Instead of rushing, feel the shape of the cup in your hand first, warming your skin. After a while, bring the glass to your lips and appreciate this sensation too: the heat, the smell. sip Enjoy. Baby. Enjoy the first wave of warmth that wraps around your body like a hug. Think only of how your body feels. Then… repeat. Finish the drink. It may only take you two minutes. But I’ve found that no matter how desperate I feel, this little trick can often be the little jolt I need to take the next step to feeling better.”
Reading on the Treadmill, Lucy Ford
“I’ve always been someone who wanted to be a runner but absolutely hated running. It’s horrible and boring and my knee hurts, but I kept pushing, telling myself I must feel bad. It turns out that you don’t actually have to hate exercise if you don’t treat it like a punishment. One night, the 12-3-30 viral routine made its way onto my TikTok. Here’s how: You walk for 30 minutes at a level 12 incline and a level three speed. No longer needing to choose the most intense K-pop song to drown out the misery of light jogging, I decided to kill that half hour with my Kindle. At the end of the day, as a way to wash away the horrors the internet has imprinted on me, I can give my head some much needed space. It allowed me to breathe and not feel like I had to be constantly connected to exist. And more importantly, it helped me too spark my creativity personal ones that often seem in the background. That easy 30 minutes of reading and walking is now something I look forward to (and my knees feel better, too).”
Acupressure Mat, Neha-Tamara Patel
“I bought a acupressure mat Shakti to help me sleep. I was skeptical at first, mostly because it seems the opposite of relaxing; It’s supposed to replicate the ancient therapy of lying on a bed of nails, but as a lifelong insomniac I thought it was worth a try. It took me a while to get used to the initial discomfort (although I didn’t hate it like some of my friends who tried it), but once you get over it, it’s great. I find it so relaxing that I can fall asleep with it on and use it whenever I have trouble sleeping. It’s also great for soothing muscles after a workout, and if used right after a hot bath, it’s perfection!”
Sandbags, Sam Parker
