Many people do a lot to look after their physical health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But they often overlook their mental health, which is just as important and is closely tied to your physical health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One in five people suffers from mental illness, so now is the time to start making efforts to focus on your emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scroll down to learn how you can improve your mental health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s easy to get into the habit of thinking negative thoughts, which can impact your emotional health once it becomes an unconscious habit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try to be more aware and be on the lookout for negative thoughts. Once you find yourself thinking a negative thought, try to turn it around and put a positive outlook on it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, if you\u2019re annoyed that someone is driving slow ahead of you and are cursing them in your head, think about reasons they might be going slow, such as being a new driver, or someone who has driving anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, <\/strong>mindfulness<\/a> is \u201ca mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Practicing mindfulness can help you be more present in the current moment instead of worrying about the future or fixating on things in the past. Start by being aware of the sights, smells, and sounds around you, or paying attention to the taste and texture of your meal instead of rushing through it in a distracted manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are increasing in prevalence in recent decades. It\u2019s estimated that around one in five adults has a mental health disorder. The COVID-19 pandemic has also taken a toll on people\u2019s emotional health for many reasons. Finding a mental health professional that you trust can be a huge help to your mental wellbeing. Physical activity is a great stress reducer and is beneficial for both your physical health and emotional wellbeing. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, which are hormones that help improve your mood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Regular exercise<\/a> is proven to help reduce the symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression while improving your mood and energy levels. In times of stress<\/a>, we tend to take short, shallow breaths instead of deep breaths. Deep breathing<\/a>, or diaphragmatic breathing, is a technique that is often used to combat symptoms of anxiety and deal with stress, and increase mindfulness. If you\u2019re feeling stressed, anxious, or just need some support, connecting with a loved one is a good coping strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter how introverted you might be, we all need human connection for our mental and emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diet and nutrition play a large role in brain health, which impacts your emotional health. Eating a healthy diet full of brain health-promoting foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats like salmon and avocados are all associated with improved brain health. It might be tempting to distract yourself from stress with things like alcohol or other substances. While it might make you feel better in the moment, it won\u2019t help you overcome stress, anxiety, or symptoms of other mental health conditions in the long term. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Substance abuse can lead to worsening mental health, as well as problems with your physical health. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can worsen symptoms of anxiety in some people. While moderate amounts of caffeine are fine (and might even be beneficial for your overall health), excessive caffeine intake likely will do more harm than good and cause negative symptoms like a racing heartbeat. If you have a lot of things you want to work on, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. To help build your self-confidence and boost motivation, try setting SMART goals, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Based. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, instead of saying \u201cI\u2019m going to eat more vegetables\u201d, a SMART goal would be \u201cI\u2019m going to include vegetables with dinner three times a week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good night\u2019s sleep<\/a> is not only good for your physical health, but it plays a vital role in your mental health as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sleep problems<\/a> tend to impact people with mental health disorders, and they may play a role in the development of these conditions as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laughing<\/a> can help fight stress<\/a> and improve mood by boosting endorphins in the brain. It can even benefit your immune system<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find a comedian that you enjoy, watch a funny show, or watch funny videos on the internet to get your dose of laughter and boost your mood. If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed with your to-do list and it\u2019s causing you anxiety, keeping a planner can help organize your thoughts and ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Planning out your tasks in an organized way can help boost your feeling of productivity and motivate you to keep getting things done. It can be tempting to compare yourself to others or think of the things you want but don\u2019t have. Focusing on gratitude and appreciating the things you have can help improve your overall wellbeing and benefit your mental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people even like to keep a gratitude journal and reflect on things they\u2019re grateful for on a daily basis. While social media certainly has its benefits, it can also make you compare yourself to everyone else\u2019s best portrayals of themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People who have more screen time (6+ hours per day) are more likely to suffer from depression<\/a> and other mental health disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious about your to-do list, it might be time to spend time outside and distance yourself from cell and internet service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even one day without looking at emails or scrolling through social media can be beneficial, and the fresh air is good for your mind and body. Spending time with animals can be therapeutic and calming, which is why they\u2019re used in many types of therapy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have a pet but enjoy animals, consider volunteering at an animal shelter or pet sitting to get some companionship. Money and financial issues are common sources of stress. Keeping a budget and making financial goals can help you feel more in control and reduce the anxiety associated with your budget. Doing things for others can make you feel good. Small acts of kindness like paying for a stranger\u2019s coffee, dropping off cookies at a neighbor\u2019s doorstep, or donating things to a charity are all great ways to put others ahead of yourself. Your body needs sunlight to help make vitamin D, otherwise known as \u201cthe sunshine vitamin\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vitamin D<\/a> plays an integral role in physical and mental health. Low levels of vitamin D can lead to fatigue and is associated with mental health disorders.<\/a> Even if you don\u2019t consider yourself an artistic or creative person, it can be beneficial to tap into that part of your brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning how to make a craft, coloring, or doodling can help shift your focus away from things that might be causing stress or anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mental health disorders are on the rise. One in five people suffers from some sort of mental illness such as depression, anxiety, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking care of your emotional health is just as important as taking care of your body. But it can be easy to overlook and put on the back burner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now you know 21 ways of how to improve mental health, focus some time on improving your emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Setting the intention and making an effort to nurture your mental health can help boost your overall mood, handle stress better, and reduce symptoms of mental disorders like anxiety and depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An added bonus is that your physical health will likely also improve when you focus on your mental health. So it\u2019s a win-win!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Many people do a lot to look after their physical health. But they often overlook their mental health, which is just as important and is closely tied to your physical health. One in five people suffers from mental illness, so now is the time to start making efforts to focus on your emotional wellbeing. Scroll […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":30593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[12],"health_topic":[127,163],"class_list":["post-30592","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-feature","health_topic-general-health","health_topic-mental-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Some people like to practice mindfulness meditations<\/a>, but you can also practice mindfulness in the middle of your busy day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n3) Use mental health services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While there was more of a stigma around mental illness<\/a> in the past, it is dissolving. Celebrities, athletes, and other famous people have come out to destigmatize mental health disorders, along with a shift in promoting mental health as much as physical health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n4) Get regular exercise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Choose a form of exercise that you enjoy and that you look forward to. Walking, running, bike riding, gardening, paddle boarding, or any activity that gets your heart rate up and works your muscles can be beneficial for your mental health.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n5) Practice deep breathing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To practice deep breathing, try to puff your stomach out as you slowly take a deep breath in. Hold the breath for a few seconds before you slowly let it out. Repeat this several times in a row, and do it as often as you need to manage your anxiety or stress.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n6) Reach out to loved ones for support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7) Eat a healthy diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n8) Learn to cope with stress in a healthy way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n9) Consider cutting back on caffeine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n10) Set SMART goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
11) Get enough sleep on a regular basis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n12) Laughter is the best medicine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n13) Have a productivity planner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n14) Think of the things you\u2019re grateful for<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n15) Take a step back from social media and overall screen time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
16) Go off the grid from time to time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n17) Spend some time with animals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n18) Balance a budget<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n19) Pay it forward for others<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n20) Get some sun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you live in an area that doesn\u2019t get much sunshine or spend a lot of time indoors, you might consider taking a vitamin D supplement to meet the recommended amount of 600-800 IU per day. You can safely take up to 4,000 IU daily as well.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n21) Tap into your creative side<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n