Mental health encompasses your overall psychological well-being and affects the way you feel about yourself, your ability to manage feelings, how you deal with difficulties, and the quality of your relationships. Because it affects so many areas of your life, it’s important to take care of your mental health. Here are 7 things you can do daily to help improve your mental health.
1. Connect with Others
Social connection is important when it comes to mental health. Spending quality time with other people in person can help relieve stress, boost mood, and energize you. While social media, text, and phone calls are great for keeping in touch, nothing beats face-to-face interaction with family and friends. Try meeting up with a family member for coffee, or make plans to go do a fun activity with a friend.
2. Move Your Body
Physical activity is necessary for good mental health. Staying active provides benefits to both your physical body and your mind. The effects of physical activity on your mental health are vast and include providing stress relief, improving memory, boosting emotional health, and even making it easier to get quality sleep. Find an exercise or activity you enjoy and incorporate it into your routine.
3. Find a Creative Outlet
Getting creative can have a positive impact on your mental health. Whether you already have a creative passion or need to pick up something new, there are plenty of creative outlets to help improve your mental health. Popular activities include drawing, dancing, gardening, playing an instrument, writing, knitting, and many others. The key is to find something that you enjoy doing that stimulates the creative side of your brain to provide mental relief.
4. Get Some Sun
Sunlight can do wonders for mental health. Studies have found that sunlight increases the production of serotonin, which in turn can improve mood and your sense of well-being. In seasons of less sunlight, many people experience a drop in serotonin, which is the primary cause of seasonal affective disorder. Studies also show that a lack of vitamin D, which is absorbed through sunlight, is correlated with symptoms of depression. Try spending a few minutes a day outside in the sunshine to help improve your mental health.
5. Eat a Brain-Healthy Diet
There are foods you can eat that may help support your mental health. Foods that contain fatty acids and lean proteins are vital for proper brain and nervous system function as well as energy production. These foods include fish, lean meat, eggs, nuts, beans, and seeds. Other brain-healthy foods you should include in your diet are dark leafy greens and fruit. Studies also suggest that small quantities of dark chocolate may be beneficial for mental health.
6. Sleep
Sleep is closely connected to emotional and mental health, and it has even demonstrated links to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other conditions. While you’re asleep, your body and mind are recharged and rejuvenated. A lack of sleep can contribute to various mental health problems. To try to get better sleep each night, turn off screens at least an hour before bedtime and turn your bedroom into a quiet, clutter-free space.
7. Try Relaxation Techniques
A great thing you can do to help improve your mental health is practice relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, yoga, meditation, journaling, and other mindfulness practices can help reduce levels of stress, improve mood, and increase self-awareness. These techniques can be practiced daily to help you relax and to lower stress, anxiety, and negative feelings.
More Mental Health Tips
Now you know some things you can do to help improve your mental health. It’s important to not let negative thoughts and feelings take control of your life. If you struggle with feelings of depression, take a look at these tips on how to handle depression so you can overcome those negative emotions and live a happier, healthier life.
