Healthy Mind Habits That Will Change Your Life

When an engine begins to malfunction, it may not be obvious. But over time, the car will reveal the presence of an internal complication. Similarly, your outward performance is a reflection of your mind’s well-being.

We can’t diagnose an unhealthy mind at first glance. Instead, relational and behavioural habits expose the state of your mind. That’s why we’ll be discussing 10 healthy mind habits you can adopt to enhance your life, relationships, performance, and overall well-being.

The Basics

The way you treat your physical body affects the state of your mind. If you research healthy habits, you’ll come across things like eating right, exercising, and sleeping properly. As repetitive as it sounds, those are basic needs that help your mind stay sharp and productive.

Have you ever tried to be creative on an empty stomach? Or, solve a problem when you’re sleep deprived? Sure, you may be able to work through it. But, how much more competent will you be with adequate sleep and zero hunger pangs?

Challenge Yourself

I enjoy learning new things. Whether that’s a language on Duolingo, a new recipe, or the latest SEO tricks. It’s exciting to discover a new variable I was initially unaware of. We learn new things every day by solving problems and having new experiences. But we can intentionally choose new, exciting challenges. It doesn’t have to be a monetary skill.

You can learn how to be a better communicator, how to organize your room, and optimize space. Give your mind a new challenge and it’ll thank you for it. Learning new things is also beneficial to the brain. It facilitates the formation of new synapses or connections and strengthens existing ones.

Cut Out The Negatives

The world is far from lacking in doom and gloom, with many realities of evil, suffering, and just pure wickedness. There’s a thin line between keeping abreast of news and wallowing in so much negativity that you lose every sense of hope. Well, if you’re on the alert to find evil things or people, then you’ll find them with ease.

Limit your exposure to negative things that make you feel sad and less hopeful. Unfollow some pages, excuse yourself from depressing conversation. It’s just talk, but it’s triggering anxiety and hopelessness? Cut that out. Keep your mind sane and focused on both the existing and the possibility of good around you. Because good exists. Lots of it.

Learn New Habits

A more effective way to tune out negative sources is by replacing them with good, new habits. Audit your current lifestyle. Are you satisfied? Are there things you’d like to replace? At any point in your life, when you realize it, you can choose to learn new habits or replace the old with new ones.

For instance, about 2 to 3 years ago, I had a horrible habit of barely eating or starving whenever I felt anxious or sad. I was eating ridiculously small portions or starving for hours, and as a result, my weight kept dropping.

At the beginning of last year (2024), I decided that I would force myself to eat no matter how I was feeling. It was a drag, I had to trick my brain to finish a plate of food. I’m not sure exactly how long it took, but it became less forceful, and now I look forward to eating regardless of my emotional state. It feels like a small detail, but I wanted it to change, and it did.

Find Like Minds

If you’ve ever heard of the scripture iron sharpens iron, then you have an idea what that means. Find like-minded people. Are you trying to improve your life and maintain a positive attitude, and you’re the only one in your friend group who’s trying to do so? It’s only a matter of time before your enthusiasm wanes.

Go to physical and virtual spaces where people are motivated by similar passions or interests. Don’t cast your pearls before swine, they don’t value or desire them. They’re just going to soil them with mud.

Create Visual Reminders

We’re forgetful creatures, and it just so happens that it’s easier to forget the good things than the bad ones. Well, how do you trick the system? Create visual reminders. Your screensaver, on your fridge, mirror, and work desk, where you spend significant time. Place a picture, Bible verse, or quote that reminds you of something good, encourages you, or inspires you.

Choose Your Mind Food

What do you feed your mind with? It all matters. What you feed your subconscious mind influences your conscious thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviour. From books, music, and movies to conversations, events, and gatherings. Everything lands somewhere and influences your perspective and emotions. If you desire a healthy mind, be picky about what goes into your mind.

Practice Gratitude

There is always something to be grateful as much as the prevailing voice in the environment keeps telling us that we need one more thing to feel fulfilled, complete, and happy.

New stuff, milestones, and experiences take us to an emotional high. However, we’ll eventually return to our baseline emotional state. But if we form the habit of finding things we’re grateful for, we can live a life filled with joy for all the little and big blessings we enjoy.

Have A Periodic Heart-to-heart With Someone

Sometimes, all you need to do is pour out your heart to someone. Isolating yourself when going through a difficult time allows your mind to exalt the problem higher than the reality. On the flip side, sharing your burdens with trusted friends, counselors, family members, or leaders makes you feel much lighter. They may also share some wisdom with you that you never thought of.

Avoid Impulsive Behaviours

You don’t need to spend on anything you find, date everyone you fancy, or show up anywhere you’re asked to. Avoid being impulsive with your time, resources, and attention to avoid making decisions with distasteful consequences you may regret. Be intentional about what, who, and how you spend your time and resources.

Finally, Beloved Reader

Maintaining a healthy mind is a constant dance between our thoughts, emotions, and actions. The first step to adopting healthy mind habits is making the decision and mapping out what that will look like for you. Reflect on your life and decide what needs to change. From your thought patterns to your mind food and repetitive behaviour, be intentional about building a healthy mind. Because whatever a man thinks of himself, that is what he is.