Habits That Promote Mental Wellness

For years, mental health was a taboo subject. People didn’t feel comfortable talking about their mental wellness, which led to silent suffering for millions of people around the world. Fortunately, we live in a time when mental health receives a lot of attention.

Mental health professionals, medication regimens, and other tools are all powerful options for those who deal with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

However, there are also some practical steps that you can take to protect and even improve your mental well-being.

Today, discover some habits that will enhance mental health and how implementing them can give you a fresh perspective.

The Importance of Physical Health in Mental Health

Many of the tips that we’re going to discuss for improving mental health have physical benefits, too.

For years, psychologists and other mental health professionals have said that when you feel better physically, you’ll feel better mentally.

That fact has been proven time and time again through various studies.

While there are certainly benefits associated with habits that focus on your mental well-being, there are also lots of benefits associated with caring for your body. This list provides a healthy combination of both.

Seek Professional Help

One of the best parts about living in a society in which mental health is no longer something that we ignore is that more people are seeking professional help.

Even if you can’t pinpoint exactly what feels wrong with your mental status, it’s a good idea to seek professional help.

Seeing a therapist can help you better understand what’s going on with your mental state and how you can deal with it in a healthy manner.

If you’re not already seeing a mental health professional, consider making an appointment with one to learn more about how you can boost your mental health.

Eat Right

Most people understand the importance of eating a balanced diet when it comes to their physical health, but there is also a correlation between the food that you eat and how you feel mentally.

For instance, multiple studies indicate that eating too much refined sugar impacts brain function, largely because of the stress placed on the pancreas.

When you take in an excessive amount of refined sugar, your brain experiences negative insulin responses. The biological responses that stem from these responses lead to increased anxiety and severe mood swings.

Your blood sugar has a direct impact on your mental health. Eating only when you’re hungry, and focusing on consuming foods that offer good nutritional value is an important part of improving mental health.

Getting Plenty of Sleep

Have you ever noticed that you feel different when you stay up too late?

Getting up the following morning is a chore, and you’re probably a bit more irritable than you would’ve been if you had gotten the sleep you needed.

Experts typically recommend that adults get seven hours of sleep per night, but your sleep patterns may create the need for more.

Listen to your body and get the rest that you need. Sleep not only plays a crucial role in your mental health, but it also promotes better immune system function and more.

REM sleep, the period during which you sleep deeper, has been proven to give the brain time to process emotional data. This processing improves your mental well-being.

Get Active

Being physically active not only improves physical health, but it’s also been proven to have a positive impact on your mental health.

Exercise has been shown to be a stress reliever, and when you’re dealing with mental health issues, finding a healthy, safe way to deal with stress is crucial.

Additionally, physical activity actually changes your body’s chemistry. Something as simple as going for a brisk walk around your block can release dopamine and serotonin, a pair of chemicals that activate the pleasure centers in your brain.

When you recognize that mental illnesses like anxiety and depression often stem from chemical imbalances, it’s easy to understand how being active helps boost your mood.

Even on the days when you barely feel like getting out of bed and doing anything, try to make yourself do something that requires activity. Even if it’s a walk around your yard, some activity is better than none.

Avoiding Vices

If you see a counselor or a mental health professional, you’ve probably been told about the importance of not dealing with your mental health issues with alcohol, nicotine, or other substances.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing the immediate feeling of relief that some of these substances provide without taking the time to consider the long-term ramifications.

In the same way that physical activity alters your body’s chemistry, so too does the use of these substances.

Many people choose cigarettes because nicotine does provide a quick release of dopamine. Unfortunately, that effect wears off quickly, which leaves you either dealing with a dopamine crash or the need for more nicotine.

This creates a vicious cycle in which you need more of the substance to maintain that happy feeling.

Another reason to avoid these substances is that they’re bad for you physically, which will have a negative impact on your mental health.

Get a Pet

This one may seem a bit counterintuitive because pets are a lot of responsibility. There are certainly times when taking care of an animal can be stressful, but most experts agree that the benefits outweigh the possible downside.

Caring for an animal is a great way to give yourself a sense of purpose, which is a vital aspect of good mental health.

Take some time to consider how much time you have to give to a pet. If you work long hours, it may not be a great idea to go get a puppy who needs a lot of care and attention.

Instead, consider getting a cat. Psychologists have discovered that even watching fish in a tank can reduce stress without requiring too much work.

Pets should not be purchased or adopted without any thought, but you’re almost certain to be able to find one that fits into your schedule.

Create Connections

Mental illness can be incredibly isolating, which makes the need for meaningful connections even more pronounced.

Strong relationships, whether it’s with a friend or family member, are incredibly important for both your physical and mental well-being. People who have strong social connections have been shown to suffer from less inflammation and stronger immune systems.

There are also psychological benefits associated with strong connections. It’s important to have friends in your corner who you can share your struggles with.

In today’s digital age, it’s possible to create connections through a variety of online platforms.

While this shouldn’t serve as a substitute for true human interaction, it’s good to know that you can find online groups with people who share your interests or are dealing with some of the same issues you face.

Implement Some Self Care

The importance of self-care cannot be overstated, and the best part about it is that you have so many ways that you can stop to take care of yourself.

We often fall into the trap of assuming that we need to constantly be busy doing something, even when we’re not working. Business in itself is not an achievement and can actually have a negative impact on your mental health.

Consider practicing yoga. This is another example of a habit that improves both physical and mental health. If yoga doesn’t sound like something you’re interested in, take some time at the end of a long day to soak in a relaxing bubble bath.

If you don’t have access to a bathtub, don’t be afraid to stand in a hot shower and just allow the warm water to relax your tense muscles.

Self-care is about focusing on what’s going on inside you more than anything else. If you like to read, block out some time each day to curl up with a good book.

Don’t be afraid to turn off your phone for an hour or two and lose yourself in a good piece of literature. These seemingly small steps can go a long way in helping you improve your mental health.

Learn the Power of “No”

This final tip is directly related to the one before it, as when you learn how to say no to certain requests, you can spend more time caring for yourself.

Some people need more time than others when it comes to decompressing and dealing with the events of the day.

Only you know your limits, but you should never let the fear of missing out (FOMO) force you to do something that you don’t have the mental or emotional capacity to do.

There are certainly some things that you can’t decline. If your boss comes into your office and tells you that they need you to get a project done, you probably can’t tell them that you’re not interested.

However, when a group of coworkers invites you out for a happy hour after work, it’s OK to say no if you’re just not feeling up to it.

If work has been draining your mental and emotional capacity, don’t be afraid to turn down an invitation. You don’t have to be at every event to maintain quality relationships with the people who love you.

Mental Health Matters

Ultimately, you’re going to be the strongest advocate for your own mental health. Taking the steps necessary to improve your mental health is an important part of being the best version of yourself that you can be.

If you’re looking for some practical ways to improve your mental health, consider implementing one or two of these tips and evaluate where you’re at on your journey.

Wellness is possible, but it takes time.