According to mentalhealth.org.uk, “Good mental health is characterized by a person’s ability to fulfill a number of key functions and activities”, including:
-The ability to learn the ability to feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions
-The ability to form and maintain good relationships with others
-The ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty.
Here are 10 tips and tricks to incorporating good mental health habits into your everyday life.
- Believe in yourself
Treat yourself with respect. Be someone who holds their head high despite trying times and tribulations. It’s important that in times of need, you don’t self-criticize.
“When people don’t believe in you, you have to believe in yourself.” – Pierce Brosnan
- Surround yourself with good people
It is so important to be around people who build you up and not tear you down. Having good mental health is knowing when to walk away from people who no longer serve you a positive purpose.
- Volunteer
Without realizing why, we often feel better about ourselves when we volunteer and help others out. There are so many ways that we can share our time and abilities: homeless shelters, churches, animal rescues, etc. If you are healthy and able, be selfless and help those in need!
- Learn how to deal with your emotions
How do you think and react when you are stressed out? Is your first reaction to be angry, overwhelmed, unreachable, etc.? Figure out what makes you tick and try to address it. Stress is an inevitable part of life, and we can all work on ways to cope with that. Some good practices are yoga, getting enough sleep, therapy, being around those you love, etc.
- Keep a gratitude journal
Writing down what you are thankful for each day can really put things into perspective. We all have bad days but being able to refer back to a journal where you have written some of the beautiful things that you have in your life can be good for your mental health.
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” —Gilbert K. Chesterton
- Exercise
Moving your body is not only good for your physical health, but it can be so good for your mind, too. Exercising doesn’t have to be an long run or a high intensity workout. It can be as simple as doing movements in your chair or going on a brief walk. Any chance that you get to break a sweat or get your heart rate up – go for it! In addition, check out videos on YouTube, there are so many different workouts for all ages and abilities.
- Eat healthy
Eating fried and processed foods is not good for your physical or mental health. Fried foods make you feel worn down tired. However, if you are eating nutritious foods and you have a balanced diet, it will have a much more positive effect on your life. According to Psychologytoday.com, “Carbohydrates (in moderate amounts) increase serotonin, a chemical that has been shown to have a calming effect on your mood. Protein-rich foods increase norepinephrine, dopamine, and tyrosine, which help keep you alert. And vegetables and fruits are loaded with nutrients that feed every cell of your body, including those that affect mood-regulating brain chemicals. Include foods with Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (found in fish, nuts, and flaxseed.) Research shows that these nutrients can improve mood and restore structural integrity to the brain cells necessary for cognitive function.”
- Open up to someone
If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, don’t keep all of that inside. Talking to a friend that you trust or choosing to go to therapy can be very beneficial. Processing your emotions is thought-provoking and empowering.
“Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us.” ― David Richo
- Get enough sleep
The fastest way to get stressed out is to not get enough sleep. Being sleep deprived is known to affect one’s mental health negatively. Getting in a routine each night where you go to bed around the same time can be a great way to get started. Before bed, write in your gratitude journal!
- Take time to laugh
It is so easy to get caught up in life. Some days can be stressful, overwhelming and sometimes just downright sad. However, we have to find the beauty in each day. Life is too short – take time to belly laugh today. “A good laugh heals a lot of hurts.” — Madeleine L’Engle
Sources:
https://www.uhs.umich.edu/tenthings
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/about-mental-health/what-good-mental-health