The high cost of living, uncertainties brought about by the pandemic, overwhelming tasks, and many other reasons are some of the most pressing issues nowadays. And when a person caves in to the demands of daily challenges, their mental health can suffer.

 

What is good mental health?

Some people think that they are okay if they don’t have a diagnosable mental health problem. In reality, good mental health is more than that. A person can carry out a variety of critical functions and activities, such as:About Us

  • the capacity to learn, process, and express a variety of positive and negative emotions
  • the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with others 
  • and the ability to deal with and manage change and uncertainty

 

The Importance of Good Mental Health Today

COVID-19 has seriously changed the way we live. People affected by the virus also suffer from depression and anxiety. Being confined in an isolated area without the assistance of a loved one while thinking of the future has made COVID-19 patients feel helpless.

But if they have good mental health, they can cope with whatever situation. They can manage their emotions without compromising their relationships with their loved ones.

 

How to Achieve Good Mental Health 

 

Search for support groups

According to Mayo Clinic, a support group allows people to share their personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, or firsthand knowledge about diseases or treatments. So if you want to be with people in the same boat as you, joining these groups might help.

There are plenty of good mental health support groups, either online or offline. For example, Smart Recovery is a free group anyone experiencing anxiety can join. Mental Health America, 7 Cups of Tea, and Daily Strength also accept and help members for free.

 

Start a journal

Here’s a piece of important advice from one of the world’s billionaires, Richard Branson: 

“If you have a thought but don’t write it down, by the next morning, it may be gone forever.”

Starting a journal doesn’t mean using expensive journals. Any notebook will do. What’s important is putting your thoughts into writing. It can help you achieve goals, monitor your daily activities, minimize stress and anxiety, among others.

 

Get sufficient sleep

Did you know that 62% of adults around the world say they don’t sleep as well as they’d like? This means more than half the world is not getting the benefits of sufficient sleep:

  • Staying healthy and minimizing the chances of having severe health issues
  • Reducing stress and improving mood
  • Thinking better
  • Making sound judgments

 

Bask in the morning sunshine

There’s a scientific reason why being outside in the sun makes you feel better. Sunshine increases the level of serotonin in your body, a chemical that improves your mood and helps you stay calm and focused.

According to research, an hour of natural light in the morning will help you sleep better. This is because sunshine controls your circadian rhythm by telling your body when to increase and decrease melatonin levels. As a result, the more daylight you can get, the better your body will produce melatonin when it’s time to sleep.

 

Learn to let go

We understand the importance of letting go of the things that hold us back, but why is it so difficult? It all comes down to accepting responsibility. It appears that blaming circumstances on people, events, and things is easier than admitting that we are wrong. That’s understandable because no one wants to deal with the emotional baggage of letting go, especially since we didn’t ask for the difficulty in the first place.

When we learn to let go of psychological baggage and trauma, we become healthier in mind and body.

 

Rest if you must

Rest is essential for improved mental health, concentration, and memory, a stronger immune system, reduced stress, improved mood, and even a faster metabolism.

Look for small ways to incorporate rest into your daily routine. Every day, we make time to eat, drive our children to school, run errands, and go to work. So why should it be any different when it comes to rest? Begin by identifying a relaxing technique that works for you. This could include meditating, doing yoga, going out for a walk, listening to calming music, reading a book, or a combination of these activities. Next, find a consistent time to rest when planning your daily routine. You could, for example, take a relaxing bath before bed, meditate in the afternoon, or take a quick walk during your lunch break at work.

 

Read books

Reading is not only a great way to stay entertained while socially isolating yourself, but it has also been shown to improve overall mental health. There is a book for everyone, from autobiographies to romantic fiction.

A 2009 study discovered that reading reduced stress in participants by nearly 70% and was more effective than drinking tea or listening to music. In addition, they found that even six minutes of reading can significantly impact stress. Another study discovered that 30 minutes of reading could reduce stress as much as a 30-minute yoga session.

 

Surround yourself with positive people

Positive people aren’t always happy, but they are constantly striving to impact your life positively. It makes no difference whether these people are family members or coworkers. They genuinely want you to succeed and have your best interests at heart.

It is much easier to stay focused on your end goals when you surround yourself with positive influences. You’ll feel better about yourself as a result. When you spend time with these people, you will feel energized and motivated. As a result, you will be less stressed.

Exercise

Regular exercise can profoundly positively impact depression, anxiety, and ADHD. It also reduces stress, improves memory, improves sleep, and improves your overall mood. You don’t have to be a fitness enthusiast to reap the benefits. According to research, even small amounts of exercise can make a significant difference. You can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to deal with mental health issues, improve your energy and outlook, and get more out of life, regardless of your age or fitness level.