7 Tips to Better Mental Health

Good mental health is a hard thing to achieve in life, but it’s important to always strive for it. Achieving a healthy mental state might be easier for some than it is for others, but we should all strive to do our best. If you are suffering from a mental illness, it’s important to to reach out to a mental health professional. Jordan Gendelman, Ph.D. offers a variety of services including individual and group therapy for those who need it. Taking mental health into your hands is important, but don’t forget that seeking out the help you need is just as admirable. Here are seven tips for achieving better mental health on your own.

1. Get enough sleep.
Sleep can often be overlooked as an important ingredient in achieving good mental health, but it’s one of the most important. Getting enough sleep impacts a person’s brain function, emotional well-being, and physical health.

2. Make time for what makes you happy.
If you’re constantly engaging in activities that don’t bring you joy, it’s time to start making time for what does make you happy. You might not be able to engage in these activities all day every day, but you can do one small thing (like go for a walk, read a chapter in a book, or get dinner with a friend) every day that gives you something to look forward to.

3. Fit in 30 minutes of exercise a day.
There are a million reasons why exercise is good for the mind and body, but the biggest reason is because it truly boosts your mood. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that interact with receptors in your brain to reduce perception of pain and create positive feelings in the body.

4. Set realistic goals to achieve and write them down.
If you’re the type of person that gets a thrill just from crossing an item off your to-do list, imagine how it will feel to scratch off a huge goal that’s been sitting in your notebook for years. Breaking your goal into bite-sized steps will also make it more manageable, making you feel like you can tackle it with ease.

5. Take note of what you’re grateful for.
It can be a really great exercise to jot down one or two things you are thankful for every morning. This can be especially helpful when you’re feeling like your mental health may be slipping. Research has shown that expressing gratitude regularly can lead to a more positive outlook on life.

6. Put down your electronics and take a walk.
Stick your phone in a drawer and go outside to get some fresh air and exercise. In a world seemingly run by devices, it can be good to take a step back and get back to basics.

7. Implement a morning and evening ritual.
Routine can have an interesting impact on your mental health. Having a set routine in the morning gives you something to look forward to when you wake up, and having an evening ritual can make it easier to go to sleep after it’s complete since your body will grow to anticipate the routine. Routines also bring order and a sense of control, so if you feel like you’re missing that in your life, it might be time to implement a routine.

These tips may not change your life around completely, but they are little steps toward a healthier state of mind. If you are suffering from a mental illness, please reach out to a medical professional, such as Jordan Gendelman, Ph.D., to get the help you deserve today.