What is mental health?

You probably heard a lot about mental health, but what does the word “mental health” mean?

 OK!. Take it easy. 

In this article, we will answer your concerns about mental health and how you can improve it. 

Mental health means overall psychological well-being. It refers to how you feel about yourself, your relationships, and their quality. It affects the minute things in our lives, from thinking to feeling and coping with stress. It also determines how we manage stress and make decisions that are important in our lives. 

Thus, it is vital in every phase of life, from childhood to adolescence and aging. 

Why mental health is so important?

Mental health is not all about being happy all the time. It is more about good mental well-being. Mental health is important because it can help you:

• Work productively

• Realize your full potential

• Have good relationships

• Be physically healthy

• Cope up with stresses

• Make meaningful contributions to your people and society

And a lot more……

5 proven ways to improve your mental health

So here is your dive into 5 proven ways to improve your mental health:

Connecting with others

Humans are social animals, so connecting with others and building meaningful connections with others is vital for us.

 Social media and phone calls have their place, but nothing can beat the face-to-face stress-busting and mood-boosting power of connecting with other people, especially those whom you love and energize you. 

COVID-19 significantly reduced this opportunity, but now you can improve your mental health by surrounding yourself with like-minded people.

Adequate sleep

Sleep is one of the most important or perhaps most important things when talking about mental health. It matters more than people think. Sleep is the best way to recharge and rejuvenate your body.

Try to sleep 7-9 hours a day and take a break from the stimulation of the screen in the hours before bedtime. 

Poor sleep can contribute to anxiety, depression, stress level, and other mental health problems. Create a bedtime routine and maintain a consistent sleep schedule. 

Healthy diet

Yes! You heard right. Diet is also one of the important factors when talking about mental health. 

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, omega-3s, nuts, avocados, and dark leafy greens can provide essential nutrients which are required for mental well-being. 

Dark chocolate s has also been found beneficial for mental health. 

Talk to a registered dietician for nutritional advice. 

Regular exercise

Physical activities such as exercise have a profound impact on mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. 

Exercise and other physical activities also release a hormone, cortisol, which reduces stress. 

The exercise connects our brain to our body, which promotes relaxation and also increases our brain function. 

Exercise and other physical activities also give chances to interact with other people. 

Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily for your mental well-being. 

Stress management

Chronic stress can affect your mental health. So, effective stress management techniques can help manage stress and are helpful for your mental health. 

Meditation is helpful in this regard and helps one to reduce stress by focusing on the present moment. 

Yoga, deep breathing, and other hobbies also help to reduce stress levels and ultimately prove to be beneficial for mental health. 

Conclusion

To wrap it up, focusing on exercise, a balanced diet, sleep, stress management, and social connections is the key to boosting mental health. These proven methods provide a path to resilience, reduced risk of mental health issues, and an overall happier and healthier life.