Today marks 2 years since the tragic death of EDM pioneer Avicii. He paved the way for dance music and inspired artists around the world. On April 20th, 2018, he passed away in Muscat, Oman from an apparent suicide. This shook the music industry to its core, realizing that artists need more time to breathe and focus on their mental health. After his suicide, artists began prioritizing their health over everything - canceling shows, tours and taking social media breaks.
In honor of Avicii, we put together a list of healthy practices you can follow to improve your mental health. We are sad this talent left so soon but we are grateful for the impact he made on the world. Check out all of our tips below.
Practice Valuing Yourself
It's so easy to be negative about yourself. You point out a flaw and beat yourself up about it. If we start training our mind to compliment ourselves more, our mental state will substantially increase. Tell yourself "you are smart and beautiful" every day.
Take Care of Your Body
Your physical health goes hand and hand with your mental. Daily exercise is proven to increase endorphins and adding omega-3 fatty acids into your diet are linked to decreased rates of depression.
Surround Yourself With Good People
You are the sum of the five people you surround yourself with. Eliminate toxic people from your life and you will improve your overall mental state.
Help Others
If you add altruistic practices into your life, you will feel good about yourself. Volunteer your time and energy to help others.
Learn How to Handle Stress
There are many ways to handle stress in a healthy way. You can meditate to slow down the mind, take a 30 minute walk outside, or simply smile more. Smiling can help lower your heart rate and calm you down.
Plan Something To Look Forward To
Shows, vacations, and festivals are a few ideas you can plan to maintain a healthy mind. The act of planning a trip or having something to look forward to boosts overall happiness.
Set Goals
One of the most rewarding practices you can do for your mental health is set goals and achieve them. Write down a list of goals and go get them!
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help
We are lucky to live in a time where mental health is no longer stigmatized. Put aside your ego and reach out for help from friends, family or therapists. Exercising mental health should be normalized like working out a gym.
Break Up Your Routine
Daily routines can get boring and mundane. Break it up and do something different mid-week. Plan a wine night or visit a new place in town.
Write Down What You Are Grateful For
The last and arguably most important practice you should follow is gratitude. Write down what you are grateful for and all the things you have accomplished and you will find more happiness and contentment.