Ways to Improve Your Mental Health
May 18, 2018
Mental health is a stigma that many of us may not like to talk about. But we shouldn’t be ashamed to talk about our mental health.
Did you know that 1 in 4 people will struggle with their mental health in the UK?
That is a quarter of the population. Surely enough to be able to say that it is a relatively normal occurrence. So surely there is no need to be ashamed, especially when there is so much help out there, particularly from charities such as Mind and The Samaritans. Some things you may wish to seek specialist help for, and others that you can do at home to help improve your mental health.
Ways to improve your mental health
There are many steps you can take to improve your mental health and reduce its impact on your life, you just need to find what works best for you. Learning what coping mechanisms work for you will help you take back control. There are some simple steps you can take, like:
- Understanding what negatively affects your mental health
- Talking to friends, family, a charity, or a professional such as a counsellor
These can make a big difference and go a long way in helping you to improve your mental health.
There are many, many factors that can affect your mental health, many of which you have no control over. For example, someone may develop an eating disorder due to being bullied earlier in life, or they may become depressed following a traumatic event. What is important is that you try to understand what triggered the your mental health to become negatively impacted.
Of course, not all cases of mental health issues can be solved through exercise, but there are simple things that you can do to help you improve your mental health and help to keep you on the right track.
Be nice to yourself
There are enough people in the world who may choose not to be nice to you, so don’t make yourself one of them. You are the only you, and the best you that you will ever know. Make sure you appreciate yourself and ultimately, be kinder to yourself.
Remove any negativity from your life
Whether this be friends, jobs or any type of external factor, take steps to remove this factor from your life if you feel it is having a negative impact on your mental wellbeing.
Set realistic goals
A large part of mental health is feeling inadequate because you expect too much of yourself and feel overwhelmed as a result. Start with realistic goals that you can gradually achieve. Even if you have to achieve 50 small goals before getting to where you want to be, each time you hit one of these smaller goals you will feel better.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Everyone needs help every now and again, it is nothing to be ashamed about. Take the time to talk to a friend, family member or professional when you need it. This can go a long way in helping you to improve your mental health.
Ultimately, mental health affects us all in one way or another. Be kinder to yourself and remember that it’s OK not to be OK.