What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear “mental health”? Mental health refers to your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how you feel, think and act. It also determines how you relate to others, handle stressful situations, and make choices. All in all, it affects all spheres of your life. Mental well-being is necessary for all stages of your life, from childhood to adolescence and throughout adulthood.
There is no point in maintaining your physical health when you are struggling mentally, as mental illnesses can take just as much of a toll on you as physical illnesses. If you feel like you are facing difficulties mentally, do not worry – everyone does. Throughout life, there are many phases where one starts to suffer from mental health problems. Here are ways to help you improve your overall mental well-being at times like that.
Engage in activities
The first sign of mental illness is the lack of motivation to do anything. Staying in bed for hours and not completing the most basic tasks is because of the lack of dopamine in your system. Try to get up, walk, run, exercise, complete small chores (cleaning the dishes, showering, etc.), or engage in any activity you can think of. Doing so will help you feel refreshed and eliminate the guilt of being unproductive. Take things one at a time. Remember, slow progress is still progress.
Avoid addiction
When depressed or anxious, it is easy to spiral down into substance abuse. This can worsen your mental and physical well-being, so seek professional help immediately. Mental health treatment facilities like Delphi Behavioral Health Group are there to assure you are not fighting this battle alone. Medical professionals will help you manage withdrawal symptoms and identify the root of your problems. This will prevent you from relapsing.
Social contact
Isolation is also a prominent sign that you are struggling mentally. Your first instinct is to isolate yourself, and you may have no energy to keep in contact with people. But at a time like this, you need people by your side. Do not feel ashamed to ask for help. Even if it is one person engaging in social interaction, talk to your loved ones, share your concerns, and try to have some social contact that will boost your mood. As much as you dread the idea of it at the moment, it is worth it.
Give yourself a break
People tend to work themselves to exhaustion. Your body may be way past its limit, and you continue working. It is time to stop and let yourself relax; you have the right to take some time off. Involve yourself in leisure time and hobbies you thoroughly enjoy; painting, music, movies, or a short trip to your favorite restaurant. Indulge yourself sometimes, we only have one life, and you cannot spend it working. If you feel like your mental health is taking a toll on you, step back from your busy life, treat yourself like you are sick with a fever, and take care of yourself.
Try talk therapy
Talking about your struggles openly and without shame helps significantly in realizing the core of your issue. Moreover, it helps how to deal with it or how to cope with the situation at hand. Talking to your friends and family can help, but if that doesn’t work, you should try going to a professional. They are skilled, will listen to your issues, and offer ways to improve your mental well-being. In-person interactions reduce anxiety, calm our nervous system, and relieve stress.
Try relaxation methods
It may sound repetitive, but whenever people bring up the same things, like try meditation or yoga, try giving them a chance. Meditation and other breathing exercises are known to calm you down, and consistent practice improves your quality of life. It reduces anxiety, gives clarity, and brings peace of mind. Once you relax and reconsider things, you can work on dealing with situations and yourself.
Follow a balanced diet
Most of the time, people also have a habit of irregular eating habits. Do you feel like when you’re struggling mentally, you either starve yourself or eat in excess? Both are harmful to you and your mental well-being. Eating too less can result in a lost-lasting eating disorder, fatigue, low energy, low motivation, skin conditions, and worse symptoms. Eating in excess will cause unnecessary weight gain, fatigue, and nausea. It can turn into high cholesterol and blood pressure issues. The guilt caused by unhealthy eating habits can worsen your mental condition. Perhaps this is why you must check your eating habits and keep a balanced diet. Getting all the necessary nutrients can give you the energy you need, which, in turn, will improve your mental well-being.
Sleep well
Sleeping too little or sleeping too much can cause your mental health to worsen. Sleeping too little can cause our brains to function differently and cause damage to our cells. Sleeping too many results in low energy and fatigue. Getting a proper amount of sleep daily, 8-20 hours for children and 5-6 hours for adults, is vital for your physical and mental health. Try to cut down on screen time before you sleep at least 2 hours before sleeping. Close down all your electronics and relax. Have a bedtime routine that you follow and get the necessary sleep.
Conclusion
Mental well-being sounds like a luxury to many people. They don’t see the importance of taking care of their mental health. Mental well-being is the key to being successful in your life. It will affect all aspects of your life, from your office to your relationships. In the United States, more than half of the adults (46.4%) experience mental illnesses in their life. It is time to take your mental well-being seriously and take good care of yourself if you feel like you have been struggling with your mental health.
