Ever heard of easy ways to care for mental health? When it comes to mental health, it’s a touchy subject. Some people know the importance thereof, but some people neglect its vitality to one’s well being. Mental health is on the same level of priority as physical health. A few people think that caring for mental health only involves taking a few trips to the therapist. What they don’t know is that they can take good care of their mental health daily.
Caring for mental health doesn’t have to be a full-blown science. It requires basic human empathy for oneself and others. Loving yourself is a sign that you care about your mental well-being. When you choose your mental health, you begin to have a healthier mind and a stronger body because mind and body are best healthy together. In this blog, we’ll be talking about 12 ways to care for mental health.
12 Ways To Care for Mental Health
There are so many ways that you can care about your mental well-being. Some of these things are stuff you’ve already been doing, and most of them are things you overlook because you think they’re not important at all. Buckle up, we’re going in for an information ride. Here are 20 ways to care about your mental health:
- Get enough sleep
This is pretty underrated but getting enough sleep actually does your mind a favor. It recharges your brain and replenishes the cells in your body. People who have sleep disorders tend to suffer from mental health problems. If you have trouble falling asleep or keeping up, you should go see a doctor. But if you don’t have problems in sleeping and you try to stay up at night all the time, do yourself a favor: get enough sleep. Your mind will thank you for doing so.
- Eat healthy
Do you know that some foods can cause irritable moods? You can have frequent mood swings if you don’t watch what you eat. High sugar foods have been found to be causing mood disorders and increasing stress levels. Eating food rich with vitamins and minerals such as for example, tomato with lycopene and vitamin C. Fatty fish also contains Omega 3 which is linked to lower levels of depression. Many more foods are known as mood shifters.
- Work out
Studies say that working out can improve mental health. Getting into a series of sweaty workouts like running for 15 minutes a day can decrease depression, making it an effective treatment for mild and moderate depression. It can also release endorphins, the body’s pleasure chemicals. You don’t have to be a master bodybuilder to improve mental health, just a good routine of workout will do.
- Limit Social Media
The use of social media has been helpful to people. However, not all content in social media is safe for mental health. There are emotional triggers present in social media that could make a person more likely to be depressed or suicidal. Some researchers also say that the overconsumption of social media can cause sleep disorders. To counter this, you need to set a healthy amount of time for social media use. You can use apps like Offtime and StayFree to limit social media use.
- Read
Whether if its a fiction book or your local newspaper, take time to read. It keeps your brain busy which means there’s no room for overthinking. Researchers say that reading for six minutes daily can improve sleep, foster mental sharpness, and minimize stress levels. Reading can make you calm and composed much more similar to mediation therapy. You can read some old books that you haven’t opened for a while or get new books that will feed your mind, body, soul!
- Get a massage
There’s a reason why massage therapy is perfect for reducing high levels of stress. Aside from the relaxing aroma oils and cozy ambience in physical massage centers, the skill of the massage therapist to accurately pinpoint and soothe your pressure points will give you comfort not just physically but mentally. It can also decrease anxiety and improve mood because massage increases the brain’s release of dopamine, the reward hormone of the body. So whatever kind of massage therapy you like, ventosa, foot massage, and all that, they’re gonna give your mental health a little boost.
- Go outdoors
Never underestimate the power of fresh air combined with a beautiful view. If you’re gonna unwind to better serve your mental health needs, then you should go outdoors. See the nearest nature park, go to the beach, drive around town, or maybe even a trip to the kid’s playground may brighten your day and improve your mental health. Going outdoors can minimize anxiety and depression.
- Socialize
Talking to someone or confiding to your group of friends whether be at work, school, or barangay, can release stress and improve sociability. For example, when you’re at work, you connect with people for work purposes. When you talk to them and they respond thoughtfully, it makes you feel heard even if you’re in a hybrid workplace setting. Socializing for mental health can help you be confident rather than keeping to yourself.
- Crafting
What’s your favorite art? Whatever it is you can definitely do it! Creating art is one way to express yourself. It also keeps the brain active with all the creativity and attention to details needed. The satisfaction of finishing your art will improve your mental health. For destressing, you can also try coloring a mandala book.
- Rest
Taking a good amount of rest is beneficial for your mental health. When you deprive your body of rest, you’re at risk for burn-out. Resting through taking a day off and not doing anything work or school-related will help you care for mental health.
- Pamper yourself
Self-love is also taking good care of your mental health. If you feel like changing your hair color because you think it elevates your confidence, then do it! Beautifying oneself or making yourself presentable is an indication that your mental health is doing well.
- Get therapy
When you’ve tried all these things but you’re still going back to square one, then maybe it’s time to seek for therapy. There may be some unresolved issues within yourself that you and your therapist can work on. Mental health matters a lot to mental health professionals, and they will do your best to remove unhealthy thoughts and patterns that stops you from living a life you want.