5 ways to improve your Mental Health

5 ways to improve your Mental Health

It is important to take action in order to help your mental health so it does not become worse.

So what can we do? Let’s consider 5 key steps recommended by health experts in order to improve our mental health:

1.       Connect

Connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors. Spend time developing these relationships.

Evidence shows that good relationships with family and friends are important for our mental wellbeing.

There are many ways to build stronger and closer relationships:

·         If possible, take time each day to be with your family. This could include a fixed ‘’family time’’ each day.

·         Arrange a day out with friends you haven’t seen in a while.

·         Switch off the TV and play a game with your children, or just talk.

·         Make an effort to call people, sometimes its easy to get into a habit of texting, messaging or emailing people.

·         Speak to someone new today.

·         Have lunch with a colleague.

·         Visit friends or family who need support or company.

·         Make the most of technology – video chat apps like FaceTime or skype are a great way of staying in touch with family or friends, particularly if you live far apart.

2.       Be Active

You do not have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.

Exercise is also one of the most effective ways to improve your mental health. Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood.

3.       Keep Learning

Learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not sign up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike?

4.       Give to others

Even the smallest act can count, whether it's a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.

 

5.       Be Mindful

Be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

Keeping these 5 things in mind will help you to improve your mental health and daily life!