These days, there is a lot of discussion around mental health. You might hear people talking about their mental health in conversations, on your favorite show, online, or in a variety of other settings.
However, repeated, broad use of any term can cause the meaning to become muddled, if not completely misunderstood. Therefore, if you frequently encounter the word yet are unsure of what “mental health” actually means, you are most certainly not alone.
In a nutshell, your psychological and social well-being are both parts of your mental health. It also includes your emotional well-being, or your capacity to recognize, manage, and control your emotions.
Mental health is influenced by a variety of variables, some of which are beyond your control, such as genetics, past experiences, and family history. However, a significant percentage of your mental health is under your control. Continue reading to learn habits you can use every day to boost your mental health.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is a powerful thing. There are so many things going on while your body is resting. It gives a chance for your systems to reset and your body to heal. Getting the right amount of sleep also helps boost your mental health.
It is essential to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night, even if you feel like you function just fine with less. Keeping your nighttime routine consistent will help to ensure you make good on this habit.
Strengthen Your Relationships
If you have any doubt about this one, consider what has happened in the last two years. Forced to live our lives remotely without seeing our friends and family took a toll on even the best mental health. Since humans are social beings, having a strong social network can benefit your mental health in a number of ways.
Friendships can:
- Lessen loneliness-related emotions
- Provide access to emotional assistance
- Give your life more purpose
When you do get to spend time together, making an effort to catch up with each other might be beneficial. Research from 2018 reveals that more than the number of hours individuals spent together, catching up and having fun in person predicted closer ties.
Eat Your Way to Better Mental Health
Your mental health might be impacted by particular foods. Try including more foods high in mood-enhancing nutrients in your diet to support enhanced mental health, such as:
- Berries
- Bananas
- Beans
- Whole grains
- Fatty fish, such as salmon
Simply ensuring that you feed your body on a daily basis might also be helpful; eating something is always preferable to nothing. The benefits of drinking lots of water all day long are also worth mentioning. When you’re dehydrated, you’re depriving your body and brain of the nutrients they need to survive and function more effectively.
Alcohol, caffeine, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars are some meals that might make anxiety symptoms worse. Limiting certain foods may therefore help you feel better.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0265407518761225
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mood-food