The way we feel really is everything. You might have all of the material things you could possibly want or need, great friends and family and good general health. But if you feel depressed, anxious and lacking in energy you’re never going to be able to enjoy life to its full potential. Here are some of the ways you can help to boost your mental health, and keep it in check if you start feeling it slipping.
Look after your general health
Taking care of your general health will have a huge impact on your mental health too. Eating the right foods, exercising and getting enough sleep will give your body everything it needs to thrive. You’ll experience increased energy and improved mood, which can help you from falling into a slump. Make small changes and work from there, work on creating good habits. Try healthy, delicious recipes and sign up to fun activities that you’ll genuinely enjoy. Living healthily should be a pleasure, not a punishment.
Open up to friends
Sometimes friends know us better than we know ourselves. If we’re feeling low or upset, they’re able to talk us round until we feel better- or encourage us to seek the right help. When your mental health isn’t at its best, many people start isolating themselves and it’s the worst thing you can do. If you’re lucky enough to have a close support network, open up and chat about how you’re feeling.
Journal and track moods
If you’re not able to do this, consider journaling as a way of working through your thoughts. The mind is a complex place, so much that it can be difficult to even understand ourselves. When you journal and write things down it can bring thoughts to the surface and help you to let go of the things that you can not control. If you frequently suffer with low mood or mood swings then tracking the way you feel can be helpful, you might be able to spot patterns or triggers that you can then avoid. There are lots of apps in the app store that allow you to do this. It’s also important to not only notice these patterns but to act on them as well. For example, if you’ve been noticing a pattern of loneliness, why not go and Volunteer For Charity? The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can do to feel less lonely, more fulfilled, and happier in general, but it’s important for you to start. Once you do, you’ll notice the difference it makes in your overall mood and how it gives you a renewed sense of purpose overall!
Visit the doctor
Visiting the doctor when it comes to your mental health can be scary. You might worry that you’ll be judged, seen as crazy or that you’ll feel embarrassed. However, it’s not the case. Whether you see a General Practitioner, Family Doctor, Primary Care Provider or a Gynecologist, all are knowledgeable when it comes to mental health issues and will either be able to diagnose you medication to help, or refer you for therapy such as Addiction Treatment Services. Mental health problems don’t tend to go away on their own, you don’t need to struggle with it and carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Seek help, the right course of treatment will have you feeling like ‘yourself’ again.
Sometimes lifestyle changes can be enough from stopping you from falling into a slump. However, in other cases you’ll need to be treated by a health professional. Know when to reach out for help.
