Many may not know the true definition of what ‘mental health’ is or means. According to MentalHealth.gov, our mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects the way we think, feel and act, whether good or bad. For some, their mental health may be stable, for others, they may be hanging on by a thread.
A few signs that may be present if your mental health isn’t in the best place include:
- Thoughts of suicide
- Loneliness
- Not feeling good enough
- Depressive moods
- Feeling like nobody understands
- Change in appetite
And the list could go on.
It may seem impossible to believe that the feeling doesn’t last forever but with the right help, patience, and change in lifestyle, you can eventually see a difference.
Some people may not currently face any battles – which is great – but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to implement ways to keep your mental health in a good state. So, whether you’re in a healthy or unhealthy place, please keep reading as I list five ways to help maintain and better your well-being.
1. Put yourself first
We can overlook putting ourselves first, and end up treating others more kindly than we treat ourselves. It’s important to remember that you need to make time for the things you love and want to do. If you don’t, how do you ever expect to have a positive mind frame? Some ways you can start putting yourself first is by learning to say ‘no’, trying new things, and doing what you most enjoy.
2. Be physically active
It might sound surprising but being physically active is not only good for your physical health, but evidence shows it’s also good for your mental health. According to the NHS, keeping active can better your self-esteem by causing chemical changes in your brain, which positively alter your mood.
3. Quiet your mind
Try praying, meditating or relaxation exercises. Any can help to improve your state of mind, view on life and ability to feel calm. There’s a lot that goes on in our day-to-day, so finding ways to ease your mind goes a long way. We need to understand that our minds, as well as our bodies, need a break. There’s a plethora of YouTube videos, websites, classes and apps that focus on meditation and mindfulness. If that isn’t of interest to you, you can always simply pray.
4. Keep learning
Finding new things to learn can help boost your confidence by giving you a sense of achievement. It feels so rewarding when you have set, worked hard and later achieved a goal, especially when you know there were times you could have given up. There are lots of different courses, hobbies or creative outlets you can participate in solely based on your interests.
5. Connect with good people
It might feel easier to be alone, but it is not recommended. Don’t confuse having alone time with being alone. You can take time for yourself – it’s needed – but isolating yourself from the rest of the world is not ideal. Having good relationships with your family and friends is important. You may not feel close to your family or have many friends, but there are many ways to find people who are right for you.
Being around others can improve your sense of belonging and self-worth. It can also give you the chance to receive emotional support and provide support to others when needed.
Our mental health is fundamental. If you are suffering from a mental health issue, you have nothing to feel ashamed of. I know you have probably heard this so many times, but try your best not to suffer in silence – it makes things worse – trust me, I know. Even if you may not have confidants around you, there are professionals out there who are trained to help and assist you.
If you are suffering from a mental health issue or know someone who is then please find more information or assistance on the NHS and Mind.
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Written by Santana Savoury
Illusrated by Francesca Mariama
