How To Work Towards Better Mental Well Being

Studies show that around 1 in 5 Americans experience mental illness every year. As numbers rise, it’s more important than ever to be proactive in caring for your mind, including taking steps to ensure your mental well being. Many of us prioritize physical health. While it’s crucial to look after your body, mental health is equally important. This guide is packed with simple, achievable, effective steps to help you work towards better mental well-being in the year ahead. 

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Embrace self-care

Self-care is a term that has been around for a while, but it’s often misunderstood. Embracing self-care is one of the best ways to optimize all aspects of your health. It means, in the most basic terms, taking care of yourself.

The goal is to improve your mental, physical, and social well being. You don’t have to spend a fortune on beauty treatments or turn your bathroom into a spa. Nor do you have to enroll in exclusive workout classes to jump on the self-care bandwagon.

When thinking about embracing self-care, it’s beneficial to consider your lifestyle, your personal health, development and growth goals. Also, consider any issues you’re keen to address.

Focus on implementing strategies and using tools and techniques to help you achieve your objectives. If you love to be active but you’re busy, for example, make time for exercise, adventure-based hobbies. Additionally, engage in social activities that involve moving your body and exploring new places.

If you’re prone to stress and you want to relax more, make time in your schedule for meditation sessions, soothing exercise classes. Moreover, take breaks with a good book or a calming playlist. 

Also READ - How Early Care Routines Shape Adult Self-Care

Know when to seek help

Mental health symptoms are often harder to spot than physiological signs. There are often gray areas between what’s ‘normal’ and what’s not. It can be tough to differentiate between natural human reactions or emotions and symptoms of mental illness.

Anxiety is a good example. It’s natural to feel anxious, lose sleep, and be restless and worried if you’re awaiting test results or preparing for an interview, for example.

It’s not ‘normal’ to feel anxious all the time without any reason. If you can’t relax or you’re never at ease, even in harmless or relaxing situations, it’s important to seek help. 

If you need advice about mental health, have new or more severe symptoms, or notice changes in your psychological well-being, many options are available. You can see your doctor or talk to a trained therapist. Alternatively, find out more about services provided by a facility such as a mental health treatment center.

Often, treatment involves a combination of therapies, approaches, and interventions, which is tailored to the individual. You may find that your team recommends one-to-one therapy, group sessions, counseling, and medication, for example. Experts can draw up plans for all kinds of illnesses and symptoms that vary from mild to severe. 

Talking to people you know can also be beneficial. Whether you have things on your mind that are getting you down, you have symptoms of anxiety, burnout, or depression, opening up can help. Even if you’re worried about your drinking habits, speaking out is beneficial.

Feeling heard is an essential part of the therapeutic process.

Speak to a friend, a partner or a family member you trust. If you don’t feel comfortable, speaking to a stranger may be more appealing. You can meet with a therapist, access online services, or contact mental health charities. 

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Make more time for activities that support mental well being and contentment

In an ideal world, we’d all have time to indulge our hobbies and interests and devote hours to the things and people we love. The trouble is that so many of us don’t make space in our schedules. Many work long hours, raise kids, and take care of other commitments. This often means there’s a lack of time for things that bring contentment and joy. 

If you’re eager to enhance your mental well-being, making sure you have time to do things that make you happy is one of the simplest solutions. Even if you only have 20 minutes a day or one free weekend per month, make the most of it.

Think about what makes you content and focus on creating more time. Go for a walk in nature, see friends, organize trips, spend time with your pets, indulge your hobbies, try new activities, rest and unwind, explore, or learn something new. 

Improve your sleep habits

If you don’t get enough sleep, feel tired during the day, or you wake during the night regularly, it’s wise to try to improve your sleep habits. Around a third of adults don’t get enough good-quality rest. A lack of sleep can elevate the risks of burnout, stress, fatigue, and contracting illnesses and infections. This is due to reduced immunity. It can also cause mood swings, irritability, and difficulties concentrating. 

Sleep troubles are common, but there is good news. In many cases, small changes can help.

Getting into a routine is one of the most effective steps. Try to set yourself a daily bedtime and get up at the same time each morning. Take time to relax and decompress before you go to bed and avoid checking emails or doing work-related tasks. Also, avoid exercising and eating late at night. Make sure your bedroom is tidy, quiet, tranquil, and dark. Create a cozy haven that makes you feel calm. 

Doing more exercise can also help you sleep. It’s important to choose activities that are suitable for your schedule. High-intensity activities like boxing, running, and dancing are ideal for the mornings. These can boost your energy levels, clear your head, and prepare you for the day. Later in the day, when you want to wind down, soothing activities like yoga, Pilates, walking, and swimming are great options.

Insomnia and other sleep disorders may be linked to underlying causes and mental health disorders, such as anxiety. If you experience recurrent symptoms or signs that get worse, speak to your doctor. There are treatments and therapies that can help you get a better night’s sleep. 

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Final thoughts on prioritizing mental well being

Mental well-being is one of the cornerstones of good health. Often, we overlook our mental health and focus solely on physical health. If you’re eager to prioritize well-being and wellness, there are many ways to work towards a healthier mind.

Examples include embracing self-care and knowing when to seek help. Furthermore, make more time for people and things that bring you joy and make you happy. Finally, work on improving your sleep habits.