We are bombarded with lots of information about physical health daily but mental health something that is addressed less frequently. Mental illness a growing issue and it’s becoming common. One in five persons suffers from mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. You can improve your mental health by making simple changes in your life. Mental health also impacts your physical health besides influencing how you think, feel and behave in your life. Good mental health is much more than just being free of depression, anxiety, stress, and other psychological issues. Let’s explore some useful ways to improve your mental health.
1. Mind Your Body; Improve Mental Health:
A sound mind has a sound body. Research has shown that a healthy diet improves your mental capacity and longevity. Unhealthy eating habits lead to obesity which causes self-esteem issues and depression. What you eat significantly affects the way you think and feel. Moreover, unhealthy foods adversely affect your mood, disrupt your sleep pattern, sap your energy, and weaken your immune system. Consumption of coffee, alcohol, sugary snacks, refined carbs, and fried foods should be avoided and wholesome diet should be consumed that’s rich in healthy fats and low in sugar. Leafy green vegetables, fresh fruits, flaxseeds, avocados, nuts, and beans are some of the brain-healthy foods that not only boost your mood and energy but also make you look and feel your best.
2. Do more of What Makes You Happy
If playing cricket gives you pleasure, do more of it. If you enjoy hanging out or partying with your friends, do it more frequently. Do more of whatever makes you happy unless its consequences are not affecting your health, and commit to do it more often. It’s common these days to get stuck in the hustle of your professional life or get overwhelmed by stress, but remember that stress is not a solution to any of your problems. Identify the activities that make you happy and try to devote more time to them.
3. Drink Sensibly to Improve Mental Health:
Some people drink to change their mood and deal with stress, anxiety, fear, and loneliness, but it’s not a good way to do so as the results of alcohol are only temporary. It’s easy to become addicted to alcohol because you’ll need more and more of it every time you drink it to feel the same boost. This way, you gradually become addicted to alcohol and the withdrawal symptoms affect your mental health. Therefore, drink sensibly and occasionally, and not for relieving your stress every time you feel anxious. A mental health treatment center helps you diagnose mental disorders so that you can get the right treatment for your mental illness.
4. Practice Mindfulness:
Mindfulness is a meditational practice that involves training your mind to pay attention to the present and learning how to build a wise and useful relationship with your mind. Mindfulness is a process of training our minds how to unhook from unproductive and stressful thought patterns. Mindfulness is about learning to be mindful of the present moment so that you are able to manage your thoughts feelings and surroundings rather than getting lost in your head worrying about problems or locked into negative judgments or self-criticism.
5. Exercise Regularly to Improve Mental Health:
We all know that exercise is important to keep our bodies healthy, but exercise is also vital for mental health. Research suggests that regular exercising help you achieve better mental health, greater emotional wellbeing, and reduces the risk of developing mental illnesses. That’s because exercise releases mood-boosting and stress-relieving endorphins. Schedule your time to do at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
