Words by Luaine Bianco
Understanding good mental health
Your mental health influences how you think, feel and act. It will also have an impact on how you can cope with stress, overcome challenges and build relationships. That is why it is important to find positive ways to build better mental health.
Do you ever ask yourself why and how can you stop stressing about little things? Or why do you get anxious, overthinking your actions and worrying about the outcome?
Yes - we have all been there. Sometimes, it even takes our precious sleep away because as soon as you lay your head down the pillow... All the thoughts come rushing at once.
Although these can be difficult times, there are always different strategies that you can implement in your day-to-day life.
That being said, scroll down to some amazing techniques to help with your stress and anxiety!!
Social Interaction
Make social interaction a priority, especially socialising face-to-face.
Your intellectual needs are also important. This includes being able to socialise with people, or become part of creative activities. It is important that you take advantage of other people's company and this will help you thrive.
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Call a friend or a loved one and if you feel comfortable, ask them to meet up.
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Network and be social, become part of a group of people who share the same interest as you.
Stay Active
Your body connects with your brain instantly, therefore, when you improve your physical health, you’ll automatically improve your mental and emotional well-being. Additionally, who doesn’t want to stay physically healthy and also relieve stress, improve their memory and sleep better??? (YASS WE DO!!)
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Physical activity helps to release endorphins which lifts your mood and provides energy.
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Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity on most days.
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Dance to your favourite songs, you won't even see the time go by. Just have fun!
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Try different activities such as: running, swimming, walking every morning or weight training.
Invest in your diet
As we all know, starting a new diet can be very challenging but it isn't impossible. Everything will work if you put in as much effort as you can and if you feel like giving up, remember what your goals are and how important it is to take care of your body whenever you can!
DO’S
Foods that are rich in omega 3 such as avocados, nuts or fresh blueberry smoothies will improve your physical health by boosting your mood and energy
DON’TS
Caffeine, alcohol, sugary snacks and fried foods can have a negative impact on your wellbeing if consumed in high quantities.
Quality Sleep
A lot of times we can find ourselves too busy and we tend to cut back on sleep as we feel this is the best option. However, when it comes to your mental health, getting enough sleep is a necessity, not a luxury. Sleep loss can toll on your mood, lower your energy and increase stress, it is important that you take time to prioritise what is good for your body.
If anxiety dominates your thoughts, there are steps you can take to stop worrying:
- Listen to smooth music if you start to feel anxious.
- Read or practice relaxation techniques before bed.
- Stick to the same sleep schedule even on weekends. It helps to set your body’s internal clock.
Here are some mental health pages that can provide you with awareness and offer more support:
