Physical health has always been the top concern of people regarding wellness. There are many health regimens, vitamins, exercises, diets, and lifestyle changes that promote the improvement of a person’s physical well-being. Although it is a good thing that people are becoming more health-conscious, we should also emphasize the importance of mental health to achieve holistic development. Often, they disregard and overlook mental health, leading to burnout, anxiety attacks, episodes of depression, and loss of motivation.
If you have been feeling extra tired, out of focus, and unmotivated lately, this article might be the answer that you are looking for. We will give you an overview of mental health and ways to boost and improve your mental wellness.
What is mental health?
Mental health refers to the overall psychological wellness of a person, which includes the person’s emotional and social well-being. Your mental health affects how you think, act, and feel about yourself. It also plays a crucial role in your ability to manage your emotions, deal with difficult situations, and capacity to form and sustain relationships.
What are the factors that can affect your mental health?
Mental health is crucial in any stage of a person’s life — childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Unfortunately, you’ve experienced a decline in your mental health at least once. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, like genes, brain chemistry, traumatic experiences, stressful scenarios, and abuse.
How can you improve your mental health?
Having mental distress is unavoidable and is a normal part of your existence. However, there are simple ways you can improve your mental health, especially when facing hurdles and uncertainties in life.
- Practice self-love. One of the best ways to combat mental illness is to learn to love yourself. Take enough time to rest, sleep, and relax, even if you have to take a couple of days off from work or deactivate your social media accounts for a while. Ensure that your daily routine is not too exhausting, and leave room for self-care. One way to do this is by investing in trusted skincare products like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic to achieve younger-looking skin that can boost morale and confidence, or have a day each month dedicated to a spa or salon appointment. Having a hobby or side hustle is also a form of self-love.
- Talk about your feelings. Releasing your emotions through talking to trusted friends and families can lessen your heavy mental load. Talking about a problem that’s been bothering you for a long time can help you feel supported and understood. Additionally, opening up to someone might give them the courage to do the same, leading to a relationship built from mutual trust. Yes, it is not easy to describe big feelings and be vulnerable in front of other people, so don’t force yourself to do it. However, you may feel more comfortable and ready if the conversations develop naturally. Give it time and enough practice; soon, talking about your feelings will be easier.
- Get moving. Being physically active releases hormones that can make you happy and feel good about yourself. Choose a physical activity that fits your schedule, lifestyle, and preference — dancing, exercising, jogging, mountain climbing, and swimming are some of the popular examples. Doing physical activities can boost your confidence and self-esteem since they make you more productive, allow you to explore places and meet people and break from your busy schedule. Being physically fit is just another bonus.
- Ask for help. You are not superhuman, and you can’t do everything all at once. Doing so will only lead to burnout, frustrations, and even depression. It’s okay to get overwhelmed and exhausted, especially if you juggle work, family, friends, and chores every day. However, if things are getting too hard for you to handle alone, you should not hesitate to ask for some help. You’ll be surprised to learn that your family and friends are happy to lend some helping hands.
- Avoid your triggers. Several factors can affect your mental health. The best way to protect your wellness is to understand your triggers and avoid them as much as possible. For example, you know that a messy room can affect concentration, so establish a cleaning routine. If you know noisy places can make you feel uncomfortable, avoid going to clubs or parties. Understanding and embracing your triggers make it easier for you to protect your peace.
- Know when to say no. When making decisions, put yourself on top of your priority list. Always ask yourself if you’ll feel comfortable doing something or not. It’s okay to say no to a friend asking for a favor. Your friends will surely understand if you don’t want to go out for dinner tonight. Most people are so afraid to say no to other people that they often compromise and sacrifice their inner peace. You can avoid this by establishing healthy boundaries and learning how to decline invitations and favors politely. On another note, keep in mind that an honest and mature friendship will acknowledge and respect boundaries. So, if your friends get mad at you for doing this, cut them off. Stay away from people and things that give you unnecessary stress.
- Accept yourself. Each of us is different. For example, some are blessed with intrapersonal skills, while others possess extra-personal skills. Some people are artistic, some are good at math, and others love to cook, sing, or dance. Therefore, it’s much healthier if you focus your energy on improving yourself instead of comparing your growth and achievements to other people. Rather, accept your weaknesses, embrace your strengths, and be proud of yourself. Once you have achieved self-actualisation, you can create more meaningful relationships with other people.
- Care for others. Giving out love is one of the best ways to gain more love. Show your family and friends that you love and care for them. You can do this through words of affirmation, acts of service, or simple gestures of appreciation. In addition, showing your love for pets can also help boost your mental health. The bond you form with your pets can be similar to the bond you can make with people.
Final thoughts
Your mental well-being is equally important as your physical wellness. So, you have to understand what it is all about and follow the abovementioned tips to improve it.
