Your overall mental health is more than just a diagnosis or a medication you take daily. Mental health refers to your well-being, including the way you feel about others and about yourself, how you manage your everyday challenges, and your ability to manage your feelings. If you’re looking for ways to improve your mental health, follow these tips to get started.
Think Positively
According to a study from Psychology Today, the way you think about yourself impacts how you feel. When you perceive yourself in a negative fashion, everyday situations tend to confirm that perception. For example, you might think negatively about your ability to perform well in an interview for your dream job. As a result, you may view the experience in a negative light, causing you to struggle to answer the questions, thus confirming your thoughts. Try turning your thoughts around to spin them in a positive light, especially those that pertain to your life and your self-worth.
Stay Active
Exercise has a number of benefits for your physical and mental health. When you work out, your body releases endorphins that can boost your mood and help you relieve stress. If you haven’t had much physical activity in your life in the past, look for small ways to introduce a bit more, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or taking a walk around the block during your lunch break.
Aim to work up to 30 minutes of exercise per day, ideally outdoors so you can soak up the sunlight. Exposure to the sun helps your body produce more vitamin D, which can increase your brain’s serotonin levels to regulate feelings of happiness and well-being.
Adopt Healthy Eating Habits
The foods you eat nourish your body and your brain. Eating a moderate amount of carbohydrates can help your brain produce serotonin, while consuming protein helps increase the production of hormones that keep you awake and alert. Fruits and veggies loaded with nutrients feed your body’s cells, including those in your brain that impact mood regulation.
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
When you’re feeling stressed or down, make sure to follow up regularly with your doctor to get more advice. Your annual physical is a good time to discuss any mental health concerns you may have, as well as go over your physical health. Your period and premenstrual symptoms may impact your overall well-being as well, so talk to your doctor about options that can improve symptoms and regulate your periods. Loestrin 1/20 or Loestrin 24 Fe are popular options that may help reduce the length of your periods and treat other health symptoms associated with that time of the month.
Image via Flickr by Chloe Capture
Spend Time With Loved Ones
Having quality relationships with people is one of the keys to a happy and fulfilling life. When you’re feeling anxious, it’s tempting to stay in and avoid others. Instead, make plans with people who support you and enjoy the time you have to spend with them. Seeing your value through the eyes of someone else can help boost your mental well-being.
Taking care of yourself both physically and mentally is critical to maintaining a healthy life. Follow these tips to give yourself some self-care and improve your mental health.
