10 Tips to Look After Your Mental Health

Mental health is about the way you think and feel and your ability to deal with ups and downs. Enjoying mental health means having a sense of well-being  being able to function during everyday life and feeling confident to rise to a challenge when the opportunity arises. Just like your physical health, there are actions you can take to increase your mental health. Anyone can make simple changes that have a huge impact on their mental health and well-being  There are various ways to keep your mind and body active and healthy. Here, we’ve come up with ten practical ways to take care of your mental health. Boost your well-being and stay mentally healthy by following a few simple steps.

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health.

1. Be active and eat well.

There are strong links between what we eat and how we feel. For example, caffeine and sugar can have an immediate effect. But food can also have a long-lasting effect on your mental health. Be active and eat well – these help maintain a healthy body. It’s easier to feel good about life if your body feels good. You don’t have to go to the gym to exercise – gardening, vacuuming, dancing and bush-walking all count. Combine physical activity with a balanced diet to nourish your body and mind and keep you feeling good, inside and out.

2. Stay Connecting with others.

The strong relationships has a great effect on our well-being  Develop and maintain strong personal relationships with people around you, who will support and enrich your life. The efforts made to building strong relationships can bring great rewards.

3. Take time to enjoy.

Find time each day to laugh, relax and reflect. Set aside time for activities, hobbies and projects you enjoy. Let yourself be spontaneous and creative when the urge takes you. Do a crossword; take a walk in your local park; read a book; sew a quilt; go for picture; play with your pets – whatever takes your fancy.

4. Participate and share interests.

It’s very important to stay mentally healthy that you join a club or group where you share your interests. Being part of a group of people with a common interest provides a sense of belonging and is good for your mental health. Join a sports club; a band; an evening walking group; a dance class; a theater or choir group; a book or car club.

5. Talk About Your Feelings.

Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled. It’s part of taking charge of your well-being and doing what you can to stay healthy.

6. Challenge yourself.

Learn a new skill or take on a challenge to meet a goal. You could take on something different at work; commit to a fitness goal or learn to cook a new recipe. Learning improves your mental fitness, while striving to meet your own goals builds skills and confidence and gives you a sense of progress and achievement.

7. Deal with stress.

Stress is a part of life and affects people in different ways. It only becomes a problem when it makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed. A balanced lifestyle can help you manage stress better. Learn the source of your stress, discover healthy coping mechanisms, eliminate unnecessary stressors, accept situations you have no control of, and develop relaxation techniques that work for you.

8. Accept Who You Are.

We’re all different in this universe. It’s much healthier to accept that you’re unique than to wish you were more like someone else. Feeling good about yourself boosts your confidence to learn new skills, visit new places and make new friends. Good self-esteem helps you cope when life takes a difficult turn. “Being happy with who I am now means I enjoy living in the moment.”

9. Rest and refresh.

Get good amount of sleep. Go to bed at a regular time each day and practice good habits to get better sleep . Sleep restores both your mind and body. However, feelings of fatigue can still set in if you feel constantly rushed and overwhelmed when you are awake. Allow yourself some unfocused time each day to refresh; for example, let your mind wander, daydream or simply watch the clouds go by for a while.

10. Ask for help.

None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things go wrong. If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help. This can be as simple as asking a friend to babysit while you have some time out or speaking to your doctor (GP) about where to find a counsellor or community mental health service. The perfect, worry-free life does not exist. Everyone’s life journey has bumpy bits and the people around you can help.