Mental health is, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” It is crucial in our personal, community, and socio-economic development. Positive mental health is often associated with healthily expressing and regulating emotions, practicing self-care and self-love, and building effective responses to adversity.
How do people improve their mental health? Many popular answers have undoubtedly worked, from exercising to journaling to therapy. While these tried-and-true methods rarely go wrong, many lesser-known strategies are just as beneficial to improving mental well-being.
Visiting a Rage Room

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Rage rooms—spaces that offer controlled environments where individuals can destroy objects to their hearts’ desires—have become increasingly popular in recent years. There are several psychological principles supporting the idea that this unconventional activity has potentially therapeutic benefits.
1. Catharsis
Rage rooms allow people to unleash emotions without the fear of judgment. Smashing objects, for example, is a form of releasing long-held tension through physical activity. Releasing these built-up emotions may help mitigate mood disorders such as depression. Due to the attention levels needed during an activity, rage rooms serve as a type of mindfulness that refocuses away from triggers and instead strives to provide relaxation.
2. Social connection
Since people tend to visit these places in groups, rage rooms can become a way for people to come together and bond. Not only does breaking objects with others let people blow off steam, but it also has the potential to bring those experiencing similar stressors and emotions closer. In addition, debriefing about the event and reflecting on it afterwards can lead to open communication and emotional disclosure in relationships and increase social ties while decreasing loneliness.
Hence, while the concept of visiting a rage room may seem unconventional, rage rooms provide a space for releasing emotions people may feel that their surroundings or circumstances don't allow, allowing individuals to reclaim a sense of agency while connecting with others. It is important to note that rage rooms can lead to a reliance on physical violence as a coping mechanism for stressors in the long run.
But, by providing a safe outlet for the release of anger and frustration, rage rooms offer individuals an opportunity to improve their mental health and well-being.
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Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)Writing and Burning a Letter

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Writing—and subsequently disposing of—a letter may sound unconventional. However, there are several ways for this simple task to go towards improving mental health.
1. Externalization
Writing allows individuals to put their feelings and thoughts into more tangible words. This helps them to express themselves freely, as they also gain clarity into their own experiences. It is especially the case with particularly traumatic events as being able to confront difficult past memories and truly self-reflect can make overwhelming feelings easier to process and manage.
As one transfers their emotions onto a page, they may feel able to view them in a more rational, objective light. Putting thoughts and feelings onto paper can therefore help one make more informed decisions and conclusions.
2. Creating Closure
Once the letter is finished, and possibly read aloud, it's time to burn it. Burning the letter can provide a sense of closure, as one is able to freely address the person or situation on their own terms. It may or may not be difficult to directly speak to the subject at hand.
But sometimes letting go is necessary. Letting go of resentment, regret, and lingering emotional feelings paves the way for one’s peace of mind. Letting go allows someone to move on to bigger and better things.
Writing and burning a letter can serve as a therapeutic outlet as it fosters emotional expression and clarification, as well as provides closure and help one move past an experience.
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Maintaining a Quote Book

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A quote book is a collection of quotes from various sources. I have seen people use these for movie/book lines, song references, inspiring quotes, and more. My book is a product of all of these in addition to a string of the iconic lines of my close friends. Many benefits arise from keeping my quote book.
1. Preserves Memories
A common fear is that if we don't find a tangible way to capture a moment, the memory will inevitably be lost to time. Photo booths and Polaroid cameras have risen to fame; yet, a picture can be incomplete without a caption. This is where a quote book comes in.
When someone mutters something you find hilarious under their breath, or when you weep to a tear-jerking scene in a secluded movie theater, recording a quote is a way to preserve a part of that experience. What better than feelings of nostalgia to remind one of every reason to be grateful and happy and alive?
2. Promotes Strength and Perseverance
Whether the quote induces joy, tranquility, or hope, all of these emotions may lead to fulfillment. It is a universal experience to become moved upon hearing an eye-opening quote for the first time. I, for one, have felt deeply touched by many.
And the best part about these quotes may be that they hail from a multitude of different perspectives. Not only does a collection of quotes integrate a wide range of human aspects, they all succeed in making the reader or listener feel far less alone. And this is in and of itself, inspiring.
Quote books serve as a memory preserver and temporary mood-booster. But they are so much more. Words compose art—a language we all speak and understand.
They have astonishing power. With words, we can soak in new ideas and share our own with the rest of the world. Thanks to my quote book, I have been able to achieve both.
Part of the reason why mental health is so stigmatized is because we are afraid to discuss well-being with others. It is frighteningly easy to feel alone in our struggles and other endeavors—but we are not. We have a voice, and we can actively start conversations about mental health. We can hear others and support them in every way we can.
Of course, there are many factors outside of our control. However, we can regulate our emotions and how we express them in response to adversity. We have power over our mental health. By incorporating the strategies that work best for each of us, we will become happier and healthier overall.