Good mental health isn’t just being free from depression, anxiety, stress and other psychological issues but also feeling positive about life and the future. It means feeling contended; having the ability to laugh; a sense of purpose and achievement; a good work-life balance; feeling confident and having fulfilling relationships.
So how do we achieve this?
The first step to emotional health is physical health and exercise is great for producing those mood- enhancers in the brain.
Get enough good-quality sleep to restore and revive for the next day.
Eat well – cut down on sugary, fatty processed foods and increase natural foods like fresh fruit and
vegetables.
Reduce stimulants like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine which give you a false, short-term mood lift.
Get outside more and absorb what sunshine there is out there this time of year, enjoy nature.
Manage stress levels – yoga, mindfulness, participate in whatever calms and relaxes you
Treat your senses – listen to music, visit an art gallery, read a good book, be creative
Make leisure time a priority and have fun – don’t feel guilty about indulging yourself
Connect with real people – see friends more, make new friends, volunteer, join
Finally, it is important to acknowledge the positive – be grateful, be appreciative of what you have and pay attention to what is good.