7 Ways To Maintain Your Mental Health
May is Mental Health Month. So, there is no better time than now to focus on your mental wellbeing. Try these tips to keep your balance, or re-balance yourself!
1. Value yourself:
Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects, or broaden your horizons. Do a daily journal entry, plant a garden, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument or become fluent in another language.
2. Take care of your body:
Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health. You may want to try:
Eating nutritious meals
Keeping alcohol use to a minimum and avoid other drugs. Sometimes people use alcohol and other drugs to "self-medicate" but in reality, alcohol and other drugs only aggravate problems. More information on drugs and alcohol.
Drinking plenty of water
Exercising, which helps decrease depression and anxiety and improve moods
Getting enough sleep.
3. Give yourself and Surround yourself with positive people
Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else. You'll feel good about doing something tangible to help someone in need — and it's a great way to meet new people. We feed off of who is around us. I’m sure there has been many times you have found yourself either drained or refreshed after being around certain people.
Some of the people we interact with on a daily basis are a joy to be with, and their presence is uplifting. Others may have the opposite effect, draining us of our energy, making us feel tired and exhausted. People with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support network. When we aren’t under stay at home orders, make plans with friends/family, or seek out activities where you can meet new people, such as a club, class or support group. Since, most of those are not exactly feasible right now - Stay connected! Use video chats, socially distant picnics, or weekly phone calls.
4. Learn how to deal with stress:
Like it or not, stress is a part of life (especially right now). Practice good coping skills: relaxation exercises like deep breathing, exercise, take a nature walk, play with your pet or try journal writing as a stress reducer. Also, remember to smile and see the humor in life. Research shows that laughter can boost your immune system, ease pain, relax your body and reduce stress. Another useful skill is to quiet your mind. Try meditating, Mindfulness and/or prayer. Relaxation exercises can improve your state of mind and outlook on life. In fact, research shows that meditation may help you feel calm and enhance the effects of therapy.
5. Set realistic goals:
Decide what you want to achieve academically, professionally and personally, and write down the steps you need to realize your goals. Aim high, but be realistic with how you plan to get there and in what amount of time. You'll enjoy a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self-worth as you progress toward your goal. Set yourself up for success, NOT failure.
6. Break up the monotony:
Although our routines make us more efficient and enhance our feelings of security and safety, a little change of pace can spice up an otherwise bland schedule. Plan a hiking trip, walk a different route, or hang new pictures. It doesn’t take much but these small changes can make a huge impact on our mental wellbeing.
7. Get help when you need it:
Seeking help is a sign of strength — not a weakness. And it is important to remember that treatment is effective. People who get appropriate care can recover from mental illness and addiction and lead full, rewarding lives. See Resources for Stress and Mental Health for Lehigh Valley mental health resources.
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References:
https://www.uhs.umich.edu/tenthings
https://www.thenationalcouncil.org
http://www.nami-lv.org