In the past few years, many articles about anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health conditions have taken the internet by storm. Earlier, people feared to talk about their mental problems, but today, a wave of openness has led more people to talk about the issues they might be facing.
Mental health is the state of our overall psychological, social, and emotional well-being. Even slight nuances in it may affect a very crucial part of living a happy life. That’s why it is necessary to explore tangible steps to boost our mood and build resilience.
In this blog, I have jotted down 8 tips for you that I think will add to your overall enjoyment of life.
Assess Your Mental Well-Being
Assessing your physical ailments is easy. You don’t feel well? You use a thermometer to check your temperature. You feel nauseous or dizzy; you get your blood pressure levels checked. You observe a bruise; you apply an ointment. But how do you know that your mental health needs attention?
Here are a few subtle signs that indicate mental health issues –
- Anxiety
- Mood Swings
- Sadness (without a trigger)
- Change in Sleeping Patterns
- Fatigue
- Losing Interest in Things You Used to Enjoy
- Social Withdrawal
- Irritability
- Changes in Appetite (increase or loss)
- Thoughts of Suicide or Harming Others
- Hypersensitivity
- Apathy
- Substance Abuse
If you or anybody you know is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it is time to seek assistance. When you don’t feel ashamed to address physical injuries, why would you not seek help for mental issues?
But before approaching doctors or mental health professionals, here are a few tips that you must try for mental health improvement.
Tips to Look After Your Mental Health
- Tell yourself something positive
The ‘Law of Attraction’ is real. What we perceive of ourselves has a powerful effect on our life, especially the way we feel about ourselves. Look into the mirror and say a few words that promote the feelings of self-worth and power. Try this. It’s magic; believe meme.
- Write down something you are thankful for
Maintaining a ‘Gratitude-journal’ is a great idea. You can write about the things you are grateful for. From bigger blessings such as a roof over your head to smaller blessings, like pleasant weather, make a list of at least 3-10 things daily.
Gratitude has been linked with improved mental health and happiness. Start writing about things you consider to be blessings and bask in the feeling of happiness.
- Exercise or Meditate
Exercise keeps your brain healthy, boosts your self-esteem, and improves your concentration power. When you exercise, your body releases mood-boosting and stress-relieving hormones called endorphins. These hormones are a powerful antidote to anxiety, stress, and depression.
If you don’t like strenuous work-outs, you can also practice meditation. It allows you to focus on your thoughts and channel your energy towards betterment. It lowers your stress and helps you feel more at ease. Aim to practice this at least for 20 minutes daily.
One good example of practicing mindfulness according to Travis Bradberry (SUCCESS contributor) is to think of an uplifting message such as “I am not my anxiety, I am strong.”
- Eat a good meal, avoid junk foods
What you eat is what you become. That’s why you need to include foods in your diet that are good for your health, both physical and mental. So, instead of opting for processed foods, you can focus on natural foods that help your mental health like fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, and more.
- Talk about your feelings to a close person (a friend or a family member)
Open up to someone. Knowing that you are valued by someone is good for your emotional well-being. Talking about your feelings to a close one helps you stay calm and deal with troubled times.
- Accept yourself
Accept who you are. We are all different and unique in our ways. Do not compare yourself to others. It is important to be comfortable in your skin and feel good about yourselves. It boosts your confidence and builds the self-esteem that helps you cope with difficult situations.
- Love yourself – truly, madly, deeply
Love yourself as you love others. The only life-long relationship you all will have is with your bodies. And so it’s essential to develop a relationship of love with yourselves. Not only will this keep you happy and satisfied but also improve your mental being.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Don’t be scared of searching for solutions to mental health issues. We are not robots. Often when things seem to get too much for us, we crave a supporting hand. Don’t we? Your family and friends will definitely lend you a listening ear. Besides, there are also professional services to help you open up your minds. Don’t be ashamed of seeking medical assistance.
When to Approach Mental Health Professionals?
If you experience anxiety, depression, hypersensitivity, and other related symptoms for an extended time, if you have tried the tips mentioned above but all in vain, perhaps, it is time to take the expert help.
There are various medical professionals, specialists, or counselors who offer assistance for a variety of mental health disorders. You can either book a visit or schedule an online appointment with them, whatever you are comfortable with.
Like every other illness, mental health problems also have solutions. According to Mental Health America (MHA), depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness. I know that it doesn’t necessarily hit people in the midnight but may also accompany them in the broad daylight. Even the people who hang around and laugh with a bunch of people may be depressed. They may be smiling but may not be feeling alive. It is very important to read between the lines if you really want to identify a person battling depression.
If you or someone you know are searching for ways to battle depression, you may love to read 7 Tips to Cope up with Depression.
