Detox weekend: Improve your mental health through small changes

Are you looking forward to that much-awaited weekend and wondering how to make the most of it to rejuvenate yourself for the next week? When it comes to relaxation and happiness, sometimes, less is more. A simple five-step approach to having a 'detox weekend' can ensure that you get enough time to reflect on your life, shift your focus if required, reconnect with people you care about or just simply, chill! Here's how to go about it and improve your mental health in the process.

Stay away from social media
While it might sound overwhelming to many, it isn't too tough to do. All you have to do is decide how long you want to stay away and have the reason clearly in your mind. If required, inform your friends and family that you will be on a break from them during the weekend. You can also disable notifications or even set up apps or extensions that limit your access to them during the period. Once you do it, make sure you reflect on the experience and what its emotional or physical impact was. 

Cook at least one meal a day
You need not tire yourself spending the whole weekend in the kitchen, but choose at least one meal that you can put together at home. Pick a simple recipe to try, ensuring that you love both the process involved and the end product of it. If interested, team up with your partner or other family members as well. Chatting while cooking can be a great way to bond emotionally or even relax yourself a bit. 

Indulge in self-care
Wondering what to do with all that time away from social media? Pamper yourself with some nourishing skincare, meditation, journaling, proper hydration, reading, or engaging in your favourite hobbies. If you don't get enough sleep during the week, you can also aim for some quality, restful sleep. A relaxing bedtime routine, like listening to soothing music or even slow breathing techniques should help you get that much-required sleep. 

Connect with your dear and near
Not many people get time to have quality conversations with family or friends during the week. Make sure that you talk to them during the weekend. If not constrained by the distance, meet them for a coffee or a stroll, rather than picking up your phone. 

Practice gratitude
Appreciating all things positive in your life, regardless of how small or big they are, is a big step towards mental health. You can employ many ways to do it - like keeping journals or jars to jot them down, taking your time to thank or help someone who made your life easy, volunteering for charity services, making a collage of images with all things good in your life to remind you of them, and more. Also, take pleasure in small things you get to do - be it a peaceful moment of solitude to an open conversation - during the weekend as well.