8 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

Just as physical health is important, so is good mental health. People who are emotionally healthy are in control of both their behavior and their emotions. They are able to build strong relationships, handle life’s challenges and recover when faced with setbacks. Improving your mental well-being can be a rewarding experience that benefits all aspects of your life. But just as our physical health takes effort and time to build, so does our mental and emotional health. Read on below for our suggestions on improving your mental health.

Get a dose of sunlight every day.

Sunlight boosts your mood, so try to get at least 10 to 15 minutes of sun per day. This can be done while exercising, gardening or socializing. Just be sure to practice the rules of good sun safety while you are at it!

Make relaxing a priority.

Do things for no other reason than that it feels good to do them. Go to a funny movie, have dinner with friends, take a walk on the beach, listen to music, or read a good book. Doing things just because they are fun is no indulgence – it is an emotional and mental health necessity.

Limit unhealthy mental habits like worrying.

Try to avoid becoming absorbed by repetitive mental habits – negative thoughts about yourself and the world that suck up time, drain your energy, and trigger feelings of anxiety, fear and depression.

Practice self-discipline.

Self-control naturally leads to a sense of hopefulness and can help you overcome despair, helplessness and other negative thoughts.

Volunteer.

Doing something positive for others makes you feel positive. There is no limit to the individual and group volunteer opportunities you can explore. Schools, churches, nonprofits, and charitable organization of all sorts depend on volunteers for their survival. The meaning and purpose you find in helping others will enrich and expand your life.

Get a good rest.

The human body needs a chance to repair itself after a long and stressful day. Sleeping gives the body this chance so that it is ready to perform another day.  Most people need seven to eight hours of sleep each night in order to function optimally.

Find strength in others.

Sharing a problem with those who have had similar experiences may help you find a solution and will make you feel less isolated. Even talking about your situation with people who have not experienced what you are going through is a good way to gain outside perspective.

Accept compliments.

It is easy to brush off the nice things others say and many of us have difficulty accepting kindness from others. It is important to remember the positive in our lives when times get tough, and identifying your abilities can build confidence.