An important part of keeping yourself healthy is taking care of your mental health. In the times we live in people tend to be more separated with social media and the internet adding to the problem. Even for people who think they would never experience mental health problems, it’s important to stop and think about your own health. There are many things you can do to help ensure that you stay mentally healthy.
Avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs
Drinking and smoking are not the things we often associate with withdrawal symptoms, but they can create other effects on your mental health. If you have had a few drinks you may feel very stressed and anxious the next day, and it can be hard to concentrate. Prolonged exposure to alcohol can leave you vulnerable to thiamine. Thiamine is crucial for our brain function and deficiency can lead to severe memory problems, motor (coordination) problems, confusion and eye problems. When you smoke, in the middle of a cigarette your body and brain go to withdrawal which makes you angry and anxious.
Some drugs often leave you with withdrawal and can cause feelings of low self-esteem and anxiety. Serious side effects of the drug include paranoia and deception. There are some studies that suggest that drug use is associated with the development of mental disorders such as schizophrenia.
Get a lot of sunlight
Sunlight is an important source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a very important vitamin for our bodies and minds. It helps our brain release chemicals that improve our senses, such as endorphins and serotonin. Try to get out of the sun when you can, but be sure to keep your skin and eyes safe. 30 minutes to two hours a day in direct sunlight is fine. In the winter months, people become depressed because they do not get enough sunlight. Some people find that using a special light bulb helps to reduce symptoms.
Manage stress
Depression is often unavoidable, but knowing what causes your depression and knowing how to deal with it is crucial to maintaining good mental health. Try to manage your responsibilities and concerns by making a list or schedule for when you can resolve each issue. Usually, when you break down your worries and pressures and write them down, you see that they can be controlled. Try to face the problems you face. If you find you have trouble sleeping, or you wake up thinking about all the things that are bothering you, write them down and reassure yourself that you can deal with them in the morning.
Work and exercise
Exercise and exercise are essential to maintaining good mental health. Diligence not only gives you a sense of accomplishment, but it also enhances the chemicals in your brain that help keeps you in good shape. Exercise can help relieve feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, fatigue and laziness. It is also linked to longevity.
You don’t need to run long distances or play 90 minutes of football; walking a short distance or some other gentle activity can be tricky.
Try to make time for the good things you enjoy. If you enjoy going for a walk, painting, or a TV show, try setting aside time for recreation. If we do not spend time doing the things that we enjoy, we could become angry and unhappy.
In the times we live in mental health problems are becoming very prevalent and we need to do more to help ourselves in our day-to-day lives. There are many simple things you can do to prevent serious forms of mental health problems. Simple things such as going outside and doing things you enjoy can drastically improve your mental wellbeing.
