Your mental health is as important as your physical health.
Mental health is your psychological and emotional well-being. It affects your outlook on life, how you see yourself and how you cope with the normal stresses of life. To stay physically fit, you exercise and eat healthy, so what are some things you can do to strengthen your mind and stay mentally healthy?
Don’t Bottle Up Your Emotions
Verbalizing your feelings is healthy. Whenever you’re feeling happy, sad, mad, or upset, you should take a moment to address your feelings and process them. Talk to someone you trust and feel comfortable sharing your feelings with. Chances are they have felt that way at some point in their life and they can give you advice on how they dealt with it. If you keep on internalizing your feelings, especially negative ones, it will take a toll on both your emotional and physical health. Psychologists from Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Rochester found that “suppressing emotions may increase the risk of dying from heart disease and certain forms of cancer.”
Exercise
Working out on a regular basis has tons of benefits, including improving your mental health. Exercise causes the brain to release feel-good chemicals called endorphins. A gym session is also a good way to de-stress and decrease anxiety. And cardio helps bring blood flow to the brain, which has been shown to improve memory and brain function in general.
Eat Brain Food
What you eat has a long-lasting effect on your mental health. Your brain needs certain nutrients to function properly.
A healthy diet for your brain includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, dairy, oily fish and lots of water. You can also take supplements for brain health, such as fish oil, DHA (omega-3 essential fatty acid) and vitamin D.Strengthen Your Relationships
Keep in touch with your family and friends. Know what is going on in their lives and catch them up on yours. And no, scrolling through Facebook doesn’t count. Make an effort to get together with your friends on a regular basis: invite them over for dinner, go out for coffee, etc. Focus on building and maintaining relationships with people who support you and enrich your life.
Love Yourself
Embrace your flaws and love yourself for who you are. There is only one you, so be proud of yourself. We’re all human, so nobody is perfect. Everyone has insecurities, but instead of nitpicking different parts of your body or things you wish you were better at, focus on your strengths and qualities that you like about yourself. High self-esteem is a big part of good mental healthy—it will keep you grounded during difficult times.
Take Up a Hobby
Doing activities that you enjoy will help take your mind off stressful things. Setting aside time to do things that you like, especially activities where you create things, gives you a sense of achievement and boosts your self-esteem.
Hit Pause
Even if it’s just a five minute walk outside, a change of scenery and taking the time to slow down is good for your mental health. Take periodic breaks throughout the day to get up, stretch or do some deep breathing. You’ll be surprised how quickly your stress levels can go down in just a few minutes. Sometimes that’s all you need to de-stress.
Be Mindful
Mindfulness is being completely aware of your present state without judgment. Mindfulness exercises include meditation, breathing and yoga. Practicing mindfulness exercises will help you manage your thoughts and feelings better so that you will not be overwhelmed by them.
Sleep
Sleeping is your body’s natural way of healing. It restores both your body and mind. In addition, getting enough sleep is crucial for your brain to work properly. Some believe the neurons that are active during the day are repaired during sleep. It’s important to go to bed at the same time every night, too. Having a nightly routine is the easiest way to unwind and tell your body it’s time for bed.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help
While you might think asking for help is a sign of weakness, others see that you are mature and brave enough to admit that you are struggling. If you feel overwhelmed, seek help. Your friends or family could offer you practical advice or give you the support you need. Also, ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist if you feel you need professional help.
You will see the rewards in all areas of your life by practicing the healthy habits mentioned above. Taking care of your mental health should be a top priority. And finally, the best thing you can do for your mind is enjoy life.
(Feature Photo via Piccsy)