How we take care our mental health

Tips for better mental health

Did you know? Your mental health is important. Your mental state controls your consciousness and your body functions.

Stress, grief, depression are examples of negative effects on your mental health. Studies have shown that serious mental illness can shorten your life by 10 to 15 years.

How do you take care of your mental health?

1_ Get enough sleep

2_Eat healthy

3_Exercise regularly

4_Interact with people

5_Train your brain

6_ Learn new skills

7_ Do something for others

8_ Learn to manage stress and focus on positives

9_ Laugh

10_ Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, taking drugs

The story of Jon

Hi, I am Jon, I am 37 and for most of my adult life. I have struggled with mental illnesses. The medication I take helps most of the time. But sometimes when I am stressed and overworked. My symptoms creep up on me and I have to work hard to get them under control again. But over the years I have learned a few strategies that have helped me deal with my symptoms before they become a big problem. These tips have helped me stay healthy and positive. Focus on the positive.  First, I try to focus on the positive things in my life. I  think about the family, friends, and team members supporting me in my recovery journey. I know they are there to help me find solutions. If I come up with solutions instead of just focusing on the negatives, I feel much better. 

Practice gratitude 

And each day I deliberately take time to appreciate and recognized everything thankful for. I will write in my journal, send my friends thank you cards, or help others when I focus on all the good stuff in my life I do not spend much time thinking about the bad stuff

connect with others

Next, I need to connect with others. Being around my friends and my family always puts me in a better mood and helps my self-esteem. These meaningful relationships help me maintain a positive attitude, which gives me space for personal growth. 

Maintain physical health

It's also very important for me to stay physically fit. I try to eat a healthy diet, exercise a little each day, and get enough sleep as directed by my physician. I always feel great after I worked out, even if it's walking around just a block

Develop strong coping skills

One of the hardest things for me was developing coping skills that worked for me. It was tough to learn how to respond healthily? To stress, sadness, and negativity. When I learned what worked for me, I was able to get back to being myself. One way I learned to cope is by writing about my negative experiences and how they made me feel.

Get professional help 

I also get professional help when I needed it. I learned to recognize the signs and symptoms that I knew were warning signs that I was not doing so well. And I found it better to reach out for help sooner rather than later. Asking for help takes courage. It did not happen overnight. I tried them one by one. Some worked better for me than others, but everyone's different. So I take my medication as directed by my doctor and when I am feeling extra stressed I know I have the tools to help me get back on track.

Enjoyed this article? Stay informed by joining our newsletter!

Comments
Rafia Gill - Feb 22, 2022, 12:07 PM - Add Reply

Good

You must be logged in to post a comment.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About Author