Mental Health is a pressing problem that is affecting millions. Issues like anxiety disorders, depression, and bipolar syndrome are emerging as serious problems that are affecting individuals on both personal and professional levels.
In the last few years, there has been growing awareness about problems surrounding mental health. Therapists, governments, celebrities and international institutions are all advocating steps that can help reduce stress and emotional turmoil in individuals.
Given the routine pressures of everyday life, mental health issues are on the rise. While technology and digital platforms have helped contribute to making our lives better, they have nevertheless become a major cause of promoting poor mental health.
In this resource article on mental health, we speak to leading relationship therapist Cassandra Chiu. We request her to list down seven important tips that can help us boost mental health. If you are someone that has been struggling with issues, this article might help you.
List of the Top 7 Tips to Boost Mental Health: By Cassandra Chiu
- Taking Care of your Physical Body-
What we eat, drink and consume physically has a major impact on how our brain feels and reacts. Experts recommend that it is important to eat healthy and nutritious food daily. They also point out that staying away from too much alcohol and cigarettes can help you improve mental health. Increasing the intake is very positive and is recommended to flush toxins out.
- Ensuring you are Sleeping Better-
Sleeping is our body’s natural repair mechanism. Most of us are stressed by personal and professional duties throughout the day. Sleeping well (at least 6 to 7 hours) allows the brain and body to relax. Care should be taken to ensure you are sticking to a sleeping schedule. It is also good to avoid the use of mobile phones or social media before you go to sleep.
- Engaging with Exercises that Calm the Mind-
In recent years, awareness around issues like meditation, doing yoga, or just simply carrying out breathing exercises helps calm the mind. Apart from this, you can do whatever helps you stay on top of your nerves. It can be playing with your dog or going for a drive. You must engage in activities that help calm the nerves. This will help in boosting mental health.
- Being part of a Positive Circle of People-
Avoiding negativity is one of the core ways you can improve your mental health. You might have seen how some people are always talking about negative areas. It is best to avoid them. Therapists suggest that surrounding yourself with positive energy ensures that your outlook towards life remains positive. This holds true when being around friends, colleagues or, family.
- Understanding and Acknowledging Difficult Situations-
No matter how much you feel you are doing the right thing, there might be events that will go against you. This is something that is going to be a part of your life. When negative things happen, you need to develop positive coping mechanisms to help you overcome them. Do not keep worrisome feelings inside you, for they will slowly eat you from within.
- Take up some Interesting Hobbies as Positive Distractions-
Research has shown that people who have hobbies enjoy better mental health. It can be anything that gives you pleasure and helps calm the mind. Learning music, doing pottery, taking up gardening are all positive hobbies that you can make a part of your daily life. These are positive distractions that enable you to pick up a skill that grows your personality.
- Start Valuing Yourself at all times-
Feelings of being unworthy are on most occasions the triggers that lead to anxiety and depression. Tell yourself that you are worthy of love, success, and attention. Developing self-respect is critical to boosting mental health. Avoid unnecessary self-criticism at all times. Spend money on things that make you feel better. You owe it to yourself for working hard.
The Bottom Line
Individuals need to understand that change needs to come from within. Everyone is busy dealing with their own demons. Even if you feel something is wrong, you need to make sure that you are the one taking the initiative to set it right. This includes reaching out for professional help to address mental health concerns.
In this resource article, we have tried to list down seven important tips that can help you boost mental health. If you have any questions, or, would like to add more tips to the article, feel free to do so in the comments below. We would be very happy if you share some insights on mental health issues with us.
