Many people are under the impression that mental health only refers to mental illness, but this is not true. Mental health is just as important as physical health and needs attention like anything else in your body. If you want to boost your mental health, try these seven tips from Dr. Ryan Shelton.
Take care of your body by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly
Many people who are dealing with various forms of mental illness also turn to abusing drugs and alcohol. Not only does this defeat the purpose of taking care of your mind, but it can lead to addiction or more problems down the line. Make sure you take good care of your body by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Spend time with friends and family
This may sound like an obvious tip, but it is the most important tip to remember. Even if you don’t feel like talking or seeing people, do it anyway for your mental health. Being around others will boost your spirit and make you feel better about yourself.
Get enough sleep each night
Getting enough sleep is imperative to your mental health. It has been shown that people who are deprived of sleep can become more irritable, anxious, and depressed. Ideally, you want to try to get at least eight hours each night.
Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is an important form of mental health because it allows you to focus on the present moment instead of worrying about the future or regretting the past. You can practice mindfulness by taking deep breaths, meditating, or focusing on one thing at a time.
You could also consider taking up yoga because yoga incorporates mindfulness into its practice. Dr Ryan Shelton highly recommends practicing yoga a few times a week.
Talk about your feelings in an open way instead of bottling them up inside
If you have problems going on mentally that you need to deal with, talk about them. Having someone close to you listen can be very helpful. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your feelings with anyone, try writing them down instead of keeping them bottled up inside.
Alternatively, you could consider therapy. Talk therapy has been proven to be very effective in mental health care. There are many different types of therapy that have various benefits associated with them, which you can learn more about online.
Be grateful for what you have
Life is not perfect for anybody. Try to be happy and thankful for what you do have in life, don’t let it get to your head though.
Also, make sure to not compare yourself to others. This will lead to feelings of resentment, jealousy, and unhappiness.
Go outside
Spending time outdoors is good for you mentally because it takes your mind off of issues that are troubling you. You can also enjoy the fresh air and sunshine! If you live where there is snow, go outside and make a snow angel or have a snowball fight.
Practice self-care daily
This means you should do something each day to make yourself feel better. You can practice self-care by taking a bath, going for a walk, watching your favorite movie, or anything else that makes you happy.
Make time to do something you enjoy every day
This is important for your mental health because it will give you something to look forward to and can cheer you up. Whether that is going for a jog, reading your favorite book, or cuddling with your pet, do something every day that makes you happy!
Conclusion
Mental health should be taken seriously just as much as physical health because, without either one of them, life wouldn’t be worth living. Remember these tips next time you need to take better care of yourself.
