According to research, there are five steps you can take to improve your mental health and well-being.
Trying these things may make you feel more positive and capable of making the most of your life.
1. Make contact with others
Good relationships are essential for your mental health. They are able to:
- Assist you in developing a sense of belonging and self-worth provide you with an opportunity to share positive experiences
- Give you emotional support and allow you to help others
There are numerous things you could try to help strengthen and close relationships:
Do
- If possible, set aside time each day to spend with your family, such as by establishing a set time to eat dinner together.
- Plan a day out with friends you haven't seen in a long time.
- Try turning off the television to converse or play a game with your children, friends, or family.
- Have lunch with a coworker
- Pay a visit to a friend or family member who requires assistance or company.
- Volunteer at a nearby school, hospital, or community organisation.
- Use technology to stay in touch with friends and family. Video-chat apps such as Skype and FaceTime are useful, especially if you live in different cities.
Do not
- Rely solely on technology or social media to build relationships. It's all too easy to fall into the habit of only texting, messaging, or emailing people.
2. Engage in physical activity
Being physically active is not only beneficial to your physical health and fitness. Evidence also suggests that it can improve your mental health by:
- Improving your self-esteem
- Assisting you in setting and achieving goals or challenges, causing chemical changes in your brain that can help to positively change your mood
Learn more about becoming more active.
Do
- Find free activities to help you get in shape.
- Learn more about getting active with a disability if you have a disability or a long-term health condition.
- Begin your running journey.
- Discover how to begin swimming, cycling, or dancing
- Learn how to get started with exercise
Don't
- Don't feel obligated to spend hours in the gym. It is best to find activities that you enjoy and incorporate them into your life.
3. Acquire new skills
According to research, learning new skills can also improve your mental health by:
Boosting self-confidence and self-esteem assisting you in developing a sense of purpose assisting you in connecting with others
Even if you believe you don't have enough time or that you don't need to learn new things, there are numerous ways to incorporate learning into your life.
You could try the following things:
Do
- Try learning to cook a new dish. Learn about healthy eating and cooking techniques.
- Try taking on a new job responsibility, such as mentoring a junior employee or honing your presentation skills.
- Work on a do-it-yourself project, such as repairing a broken bike, a garden gate, or something larger. There are numerous free video tutorials available online.
- Consider enrolling in a course at a nearby college. You could try learning a new language or a useful skill like plumbing.
- Try new hobbies that will push you, such as blogging, taking up a new sport, or learning to paint.
Don’t
- If you are not interested in learning new skills or taking exams, do not feel obligated to do so. It is best to find activities that you enjoy and incorporate them into your life.
4. Help others
According to research, acts of kindness and generosity can help improve your mental health by:
creating positive feelings and a sense of accomplishment providing you with a sense of purpose and self-worth assisting you in connecting with others
It could be small acts of kindness toward others or larger ones, such as volunteering in your community.
Among the possibilities are the following:
thanking someone for something they have done for you
asking friends, family, or coworkers how they are and truly listening to their response
spending time with friends or family members who require assistance or company offering to assist someone you know with DIY or a work project volunteering in your community, such as at a school, hospital, or care facility
5. Concentrate on the present moment (mindfulness)
Paying more attention to the present moment can help you feel better mentally. This includes your thoughts and feelings, as well as your body and the environment around you.
Some people refer to this awareness as "mindfulness." Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and gain a better understanding of yourself. It can have a positive impact on how you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
Learn more about mindfulness, including how to be more mindful in your daily life.
Disclaimer: This material, including advice, provides general information only for educational purposes. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more details. fittofitter.com does not claim responsibility for this information.
