Good mental health is not just about emotional balance, regular exercise, and working with a therapist (though these help.) It’s both a state of mind and a lifestyle. Part of having good mental health is being able to develop a positive mindset about oneself and the world.
In addition, it’s essential to have a lifestyle that reflects this state of mind. This goes beyond relationships and work. It’s about engaging in activities that provide a sense of peace, including being in nature, meditating, working out, and of course, working with a therapist. By regularly practicing good mental health habits, people become more resilient and able to cope better when life doesn’t go as planned.
Here are six valuable mental health tips from a psychologist.
1. Get Connected With a Therapist
Going to therapy is one of the most recommended mental health tips by psychologists (shocker.) It’s a great tip, though. Therapy can improve quality of life and set you up with a mental health coach to help you maintain good mental health. Throughout a relationship with a therapist, you can set specific mental health goals. These can range from developing a positive inner voice to working through past trauma. If you feel stuck in a rut in life, consider talking to a therapist.
2. Get Moving
Time and time again, exercise has proven to be a huge mood booster for people who deal with mental illness like depression or anxiety. According to research, exercise has been proven to bolster well-being on a neurological level.
3. Eat a Healthy Diet
Diet plays a vital role in the health and well-being of humans. Each piece of food or drink that we put into our bodies contributes overtime to our health. Here are a few supplements, vitamins, and beverages that can help you have good mental health:
- Non-caffeinated tea
- Vitamin B
- Magnesium
- Vitamin D3
- Omega-3
- Herbal supplements: Kava, passionflower, L-theanine (found in green tea), and lemon balm
4. Laugh More
Laughter can be medicinal. Each time we laugh, our brains release dopamine, a feel-good chemical that makes us feel happy. If you’re feeling down, consider going on Netflix and watching a standup special or looking at funny videos or pictures online.
5. Connect With Friends
Humans are social beings who thrive off social interaction. Even the most introverted people need social interaction to stay mentally healthy. If you’re feeling a little lonely, give one of your friends a call, or meet up for a cup of coffee.
6. Challenge Negative Thoughts
Negative thoughts can impact the way we view ourselves and the world around us. All of us have negative thoughts from time to time about ourselves, the world, or other people.
Despite the power you feel they hold; negative thoughts are flimsy and often irrational–they don’t hold up against logic. When we challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts, we take away their power. Next time you have a negative thought, challenge it before replacing it with positive thinking.
Mental health is a lifestyle and a state of mind. If you want to have good mental health, it’s important that you practice habits like these to challenge that inner voice in your head. Even taking on a few tips at a time can help contribute to overall better mental health.
