A healthy lifestyle includes having a good mental state of mind. It is a type of self-investment that contributes to improving general well-being. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and attending to our basic needs are interconnected.
Here are ten suggestions to improve mental health:
- Examine how you think. What’s your default reaction to things, people, or circumstances—is it favourable or unfavorable? Try to evaluate your perspective on life and push yourself to look for the benefits rather than the drawbacks, even in challenging circumstances. Positive thinking does not imply ignoring the less-than-ideal circumstances in life.
Simply put, positive thinking involves approaching unpleasant circumstances in a more proactive and upbeat manner. Instead of expecting the worst, you believe the best will occur. Positive thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the constant, unspoken dialogue that takes place in your head. Positive or negative thoughts may come to mind automatically. You use logic and reason to some extent when you talk to yourself. Other self-talk might result from expectations you have because of preconceived notions about what might happen or misconceptions you make because of a lack of knowledge. Positivity is a good habit to have!
- Stay grateful. Be aware that there are always people struggling more than you are, regardless of where you are in life or what is going on. You become more aware and have a wider perspective when you are grateful. Your mood immediately improves when you express gratitude because it increases the brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin, which are responsible for your feelings of pleasure, happiness, and well-being. Happiness and gratitude go hand in hand. Positive emotions, such as feelings of pleasure and contentment, are produced when we express our gratitude to others and to ourselves. Consider keeping a gratitude journal or expressing your gratitude out loud frequently.
- Stay as physically healthy as possible. Even if you don’t feel like it, go to your annual check-ups, get any necessary physical therapy, and take your prescribed medications. Take care of any addictions you may have. Exercise and become active. You don’t have to be a CrossFit warrior, but you should move every day. Go for a walk, a hike, a city stroll, even just a little dancing, riding a bike, or going to the gym if you want, and leave your phone at home.
- Make Time for the Things and People You Enjoy. Love is a strong feeling that has the ability to heal. Although love cannot solve all problems or stop the onset of mental illness, it can increase feelings of happiness and enhance both physical and mental health. Spend time with friends and go out of your way to socialize. It’s crucial to laugh and remove yourself from your thoughts. Set it as a top priority! The task is challenging but crucial. Your mental health can be significantly improved by setting aside time to unwind from your hectic schedule. Do you enjoy playing the guitar, or do you have a pastime you never have time for? Do you like to read but never have the time? You can enhance your mental health and well-being by spending time doing things you enjoy. According to research, those who enjoy hobbies have a lower risk of experiencing stress, depression, and low moods. At least once each week, take some “me” time to unwind.
- Discover new things. Many people have learned that making time to cross things off their bucket lists is crucial after COVID-19 changed their lives. “You Only Live Once (YOLO!! ),” goes a popular saying. Since we only have one life to live, why not take the opportunity to learn new things? Explore new kinds of stuff and learn that thing you’ve always wanted to. Your hobbies and interests could be artistic, athletic, intellectual, or wholly unique. Learn something you can do either by yourself or with a group if that’s what you want to do. No matter what your interests are, there is undoubtedly something new for you out there. It’s important that it’s something you find fulfilling and enjoyable. Adults must maintain mental activity, according to research, especially as they age. In fact, developing a mentally challenging skill can enhance cognitive function and delay aging. Learning new things keeps you happy, promotes relationships with others, and keeps you current.
- Sleep! Have you ever wondered why you are cranky or depressed the next day after a bad night’s sleep? Getting enough sleep keeps your mind sharp. It elevates your mood and enhances the overall performance of your body. Sleeping helps maintain cognitive skills such as attention, learning, memory, and emotional regulation. Long-term (or chronic) sleep issues, according to some experts, may increase the risk of developing certain mental illnesses, including depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, hallucinations, etc. Some tips to help you improve your sleep include meditation, avoiding too much caffeine, turning off screens (phones, laptops, TVs, etc.) at least 30 minutes before bedtime, and avoiding heavy meals before bedtime. You can also try new sleeping positions or even change your mattress. There’s nothing as important as having a good night’s sleep!
- Keep away from toxic people. Oftentimes in our lives, we come across someone who brings negativity and distress to us. That someone could be a very close person, like a partner, friend, co-workers, or family member. Often, being with toxic people leads to conflicts, unnecessary drama, and even emotional or physical abuse. While the thought of removing a relationship from your life can feel overwhelming, it is important to recognise that your mental well-being comes first. There are steps that you can take to improve your relationship with a toxic person, like being firm, setting boundaries, and even asking for help from others. But if it still doesn’t work out, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to end the relationship. It would help you grow as a person and improve your quality of life.
- Do things for others. Your self-esteem increases and you feel great when you help others. It doesn’t matter if you volunteer at a soup kitchen once a month, walk dogs at your neighbourhood humane society, or just help an elderly neighbour mow their lawn or get groceries; doing good deeds for other people changes everything. 9 Giving assistance to others gives you a sense of meaning and community. Giving back to those in need, especially those who are less fortunate than you, can help you put things in perspective and boost your self-confidence. It generally increases your sense of confidence and self-worth. You don’t have to be the centre of attention all the time. Today, give someone a helping hand!
- Eat Right. We learn early on that eating healthfully contributes to our appearance and physical well-being. The fact that eating well has a significant impact on both our physical and mental health is something we don’t always hear. A balanced, healthy diet can improve our ability to think clearly and make us feel more alert. Your body will feel much worse than it needs to if you fuel it with horrible things. Limit your intake of fried, processed, and sugary foods and, whenever possible, opt for healthier alternatives. It benefits your brain, mood, and attention span.
- Ask for help! Speaking up to a friend or spouse about how you’re feeling, or even seeking professional help, can go a long way towards improving your mental health. However, asking for help can often make people feel uncomfortable and is very difficult to do. A good friend would most likely try to look for ways for you to feel better, or if it’s beyond the most likely, that person would look into ways to assist you. 11 Getting assistance will help you improve your friendships and make new ones. Additionally, you’ll learn how to deal with daily obstacles and figure out what works and doesn’t for you. All of these things can positively benefit your life in the long run while creating a healthier and happier you.
References
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- Stowe, J. Practicing Gratitude for Better Health and Well-being. 2021:1–5 published onlinehttps://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2021/11/practicing-gratitude.php
- Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Smith L, Rosenbaum S, Schuch F, Firth J. Physical activity and mental health. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18) 30343-2.
- The Better Health Channel Strong relationships, strong health. Improved Healing Channel2017:1-3 were published online. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Strong-relationships-strong-health Proven links include lower rates and may even lengthen your life.
- Pursuing a hobby can improve your mental health:1-6. https://connecthealth.org.au/enews/pursuing-a-hobby-can-improve-your-mental-health/
- New Zealand’s Health Navigator Learning new things – the benefits 2021:21-22, published onlinehttps://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/healthy-living/l/learning-new-things-the-benefits/
- Article IT. How Is Mental Health Related to Sleep? 2022:1-15 was published online.
- How to Remove Toxic Relationships from Your Life to Improve Your Mental Health. 0808:1-6.
- Give PM. Give to others. :1-6.
- Desai, Diet and Mental Health. Diet Handb Nutr2020:761-768, published online.doi: 10.1201/9781482270341-36
- Alliance N, Illness M., Mental Health Series : It’s OK to Ask for Help ! Originally published online in 2017:4-5.