There are hundreds of ways to improve your mental health and it really just depends on what you love. Because if you are doing an activity that you are passionate about and it gives you joy or purpose, then it will improve your mental health. But obviously with all those different ways I would need to write a book, so let's just start with 7 key tips with examples.
Try To Relax And Reduce Stress:
This one is a given so might as well make it first. Try to think about what might help you to relax. If there's something that helps you, try to find time to fit it into your day. For example, this could be having a bath or shower, listening to music, or going for a nice walk. Try to spend time in nature if you can, just twenty minutes in nature could significantly reduce your levels of cortisol (stress hormone).
Connect With Others:
Talk to someone you trust. Opening up to someone you trust can help you feel listened to and supported. It could be a friend, support group, therapist, partner, or family member. Sometimes just acknowledging your feelings by saying them out loud can also help. Humans crave social interaction, it’s in our primal instincts to be a part of a tribe.
Try To Improve Your Sleep:
How well we sleep can impact our well-being. And if we're struggling with our mental health, this can affect our sleep. Everyone's sleep patterns are different, and it's important to do what works for you. But here are some ideas you could try…
- Establish a bedtime routine to signal to your body it's bedtime
- Limit your screen time, blue light from screens can trick your body into thinking it’s still day time.
- Give yourself time to wind down before bed, do a relaxing activity such as a bath or reading
- Make adjustments to get comfortable, such as white noise or different bedding.
Find Ways To Learn and Be Creative:
Find something you're passionate about or try and learn a new skill or hobby like painting, writing, woodworking, taking photos, or baking. This might help distract you from difficult thoughts or feelings. It also helps you express yourself and create something you love. It adds to your character building confidence, and gives you another reason to connect with someone else who enjoys or appreciates this new found hobby.
Look After Your Physical Health:
Exercise is as effective as antidepressants in some cases. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Exercise also naturally builds confidence and is a key habit that improves sleep, energy, and overall better lifestyle choices.
Stay Hydrated:
Increasing your water intake will promote happiness, allowing your brain to continue making serotonin. The correct amount of serotonin in the brain keeps us happy, emotionally level and stable. And to have enough serotonin in the brain, we must ensure we stay hydrated.water also helps your brain cells communicate with each other, which is important when you go about your day. Water also clears out toxins and waste that impair brain function. Not to mention, it also carries nutrients to your brain to keep your brain healthy.
Journaling:
Would you try to solve a hard math problem in your head? Journaling lets you get those clusters of thoughts out of your head and in writing so that you can work through your problems and understand your emotions and yourself at a deeper level. It allows you to take a step back, reflect on your actions and learn from your mistakes. You can journal about anything and everything. It doesn't have to be a problem. You can journal about the best day of your life if you wanted to. It also allows you to write out your goals and dreams so that you know what you're working towards for a brighter light at the end of the tunnel.