Establishing a daily or weekly routine is great for productivity, efficiency, and predictability. However, it’s beneficial to your mental state to break your routines occasionally.

Feeling ‘blah’? Sometimes a flip in perspective is exactly what you need.

Try a new activity. Take up a new hobby. Get outside and meet new people. Go somewhere new! Be open to change and' new possibilities. Expand your knowledge. Feed your soul and your mind. Become mentally strong. Constantly strive for self-improvement and self-growth. You’ll be happier and more fulfilled with your life!

The power of positive thinking can help us overcome stress. It sounds easy, and it can definitely take time to get into that mindset if you've been down in the dumps or feeling like you've been pushing a stone up an endless hill. If we can switch our brains from focusing only on what we are worried about or take a pause from letting the spinning thoughts take over, we can fill that space with more cheerful thoughts. 

The next time you're feeling particularly overwhelmed, give yourself five minutes to think about a few things you are proud of or grateful for having. Sometimes a simple reminder of all that we have achieved can be enough to put the worries about what we haven't into perspective and calm us down or help us deal with what's in front of us.

Himalayan Salt Lamps have yet another benefit...improving our concentration and our moods. These lamps emit low levels of negative ions, which have a similar affect on us when we are near water, in nature or when we open a window to get some fresh air.

It is said that running water is nature's biggest source of negative ions, thought to increase blood flow and oxygen supply to your brain and organs and boosting serotonin, which has a huge effect on our moods. While there's no replacement for actually getting outside for a nature walk, these little lamps can provide the effect on a much smaller scale, and hey, anything that can provide even a small boost in mood can help us with stress.

Does stress make you fat? The answer is: yes, it can. When we are in a state of stress, our bodies release adrenaline, which gives us enough energy for a fight or flight response. High levels of stress also cause the release of cortisol, which, at normal levels, helps our bodies maintain our metabolism. When you have too much, it messes with your appetite, telling your body to eat to replace the energy spen preparing to fight or run away.

You are now more likely to make bad choices, give into temptation and deal with your stress throught the comfort of eating, which does lead to weight gain. High-fat, sweet and salty foods give an instant sense of pleasure, which is why we keep going back to them - we've trained ourselves to!

Do you want to have more energy? Here's a quickie meditation to get some!

Close your eyes and see the things requiring your energy around you. Look at each one and see if you actually need to be giving it energy. Let go of the things draining your energy. Are you worrying about the future? Going over something in the past? Trying to control something?

Now you're relaxed and you can see the huge endless expansive universe full of grids of ligtht that connect to your body. See light moving towards you steadily from all directions reviving your soul and energizing your spirit. Now you're ready and full of energy! Come back to this meditation anytime to recharge. 

Did you know that spending time outside offers a variety of benefits for good mental health? Spending time outside can help you decrease stress, improve your memory and mood, increase your energy and enhance your concentration. It can also boost creativity!

Spend more time outside. Go for a hike or a walk. Bike. Read in the park, or better yet, plan a picnic! Get outside and reap the mental benefits Mother Nature has to offer.