Most of us prioritize our physical health the most because we want to be healthy and live a longer life. Often, we neglect our mental health when actually, mental health contributes a lot to our physical being. Your mental health has an impact on how you think, feel, and act in everyday situations. It also has an impact on your ability to deal with stress, overcome obstacles, form relationships, and recover from disappointments and adversities in life.
We try to brazen it out by distracting ourselves or self-medicating with drink, drugs, or self-destructive habits, ignoring the emotional messages that tell us something is wrong. We bury our troubles in the hopes that no one will notice. We are hopeful that our condition will improve on its own over time. Alternatively, we may simply give up, convincing ourselves that this is “just how we are.”
Mental health, like physical health, needs the effort to achieve and sustain. We have to work harder these days to maintain great mental health, simply because life takes a toll on our emotional well-being in so many ways.
Here are 4 tips for you to improve your mental health
1. Make yourself a priority
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Have you got a chance to relax? Most of us are too preoccupied with our own well-being to give it much thought. Neglecting self-care has a negative impact on one’s mental health. According to studies, poor eating habits damage not just your emotions but also your capacity to think. So, if you eat little, your odds of feeling terrific are slim. Exercise and getting enough sleep are also important for your mental health. Avoid self-criticism and treat yourself with care and respect. Make time for your favorite projects and interests, or widen your horizons. Do a daily crossword puzzle, start a garden, learn to dance, learn to play an instrument, or learn a new language.
2. Create positive thoughts
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Positive thinking isn’t a cure-all, and it won’t solve all of your problems. According to a study published in the National Science Foundation, out of thousands of thoughts each day, 80% seem to be negative and 95% repetitive. Hence, there are lots of negative thoughts going on. A lot of us know what we’re thinking but we don’t check if it is positive or negative thinking.
It is easy to think positively. All you need to do is focus on the good things and practice gratitude. By doing so you’re not only doing a favor for your mental health but you could also be a help for a friend in need.
3. Say what you feel
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It makes you feel better to express how you’re feeling. According to a UCLA psychologist, verbalizing our feelings reduces the intensity of our sadness, rage, and pain. So, if you want to improve your mental health, consider talking about your feelings with a friend, psychologist, or someone you trust. You could even jot them down in a journal. It is possible to have a positive and significant effect simply by writing down your feelings. So don’t bottle up your feelings.
4. Be compassionate
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According to psychologists, compassion is a fundamental human attribute. As a result, we all have a natural tendency to be giving and kind to others. According to Ed Diener and Martin Seligman, altruism or selfless corcern for others increases mental and physical health and also, speeds up recovery from disease. Another research suggests that providing support for others may have positive effects on key brain areas involved in stress and reward responses. As a result, compassion drives us to assist and support others, as well as ourselves. It motivates us to do everything we can to alleviate the pain of others.
Sources: Psych2Go, UHS.UMICH.EDU, Help Guide
