MENTAL HEALTH IS NOT A DESTINATION
Improved mental health is a process. It has so many layers – how you think, feel and behave. It affects how you cope with challenges, heal from adversity and move forward in healthy ways. Mental health isn’t just about the absence of anxiety, depression or other psychological issues.
Strong mental health involves:
· Resilience – the ability to recover from difficulties
· Life balance between work & recreation, rest & activity, social connection & time alone
· Stress management skills
· Being open to change, learning, and growth
· Positive connections with others
· Belief and trust in self
· Ability to enjoy yourself
· Gratitude for what you have
· Desire for peace in your life
· Meaning and purpose in your activities and relationships
All of this doesn’t happen without effort and a desire to improve your mental well-being. Many don’t put in the work to improve, and instead believe “this is just how I am and how life will be”. Some want a quick fix; or a simple answer to a complex issue. And others rely on social media or other sources of external validation for how they want to be seen.
WHERE TO START
o Get active – it helps relieve stress, improve memory & cognitive function, and regulate emotions. Take a walk, ride a bike, dance around your house, play with your kids or pets, do yoga/stretch. Three 10-minute ‘movement breaks’ are as effective as 30 minutes in a row.
o Connect with others – in person is best, with video and phone calls as runners up. Choose people who are genuinely interested in your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Someone who listens well and makes an effort to connect back. This can be friends, family, mental health professionals.
o Stress management – talk with supportive people. Use your senses (listen to music, seek comforting smells, squeeze a stress ball, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, appreciate the nature around you). Engage in a relaxation practice (meditate, breathing exercises, yoga).
o Prioritize healthy eating – lower your sugar, caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods. These negatively affect your sleep, energy, immune system, cognitive functioning and mood regulation. Increase fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, leafy greens, and Omega-3 rich foods.
o Rest and sleep – being overtired takes a toll on physical & mental health. Being well-rested improves resilience, ability to cope, energy, and emotional stability. It helps reduce worry, anxiety, overthinking, and stress. Take a break from screens and other external stimulation. Allow your brain time to decompress and quiet the internal mayhem.
o Seek meaning & purpose – engage in activities that stimulate your creativity or lead you to feel inspired or productive. Enrich your life by helping others, or supporting a cause. Participate in your life, look for the take-aways in each experience, and don’t wait for life to happen to you.