One in five American adults will experience mental illness in any given year, so it’s important to do what we can to promote better mental health. According to Sam Ramey, making lifestyle changes can be a great way to improve your mental health. Keep reading to learn more about some lifestyle changes you can make to promote better mental health.
Lean into Faith
We all experience difficult times in our lives, times when we feel down, anxious, or stressed. For some people, these difficult times can become a regular occurrence, and they may struggle to find relief. If this is the case for you, know that you are not alone. Therefore, it is important to take steps to promote better mental health in your life.
One way to do this is to lean into your faith. Faith, bibles, and God’s word can be powerful tools for coping with mental health disorders. Faith can provide comfort and support during difficult times, and the scripture can help you to find meaning and purpose in life. If you are religious, faith can also provide you with a community of people who can support you and offer encouragement.
If you are not religious, that is okay too. There are many different ways to find support and meaning in life. You can find support from friends and family, from professional organizations, or from online communities. The important thing is to find people who you can rely on and who will support you in your journey to better mental health.
Avoid Toxic Relationships
Toxic relationships are detrimental to our mental health. They can be emotionally and mentally draining and leave us feeling isolated, alone, and unworthy. In order to protect our mental well-being, we should strive to avoid these types of relationships. There are a few key things we can do to identify and avoid toxic relationships:
- Be aware of your own needs and wants. If you don’t know what you need in a relationship, it’s difficult to identify when something is off or wrong. Pay attention to the red flags—if something feels wrong or makes you uncomfortable, it probably is.
- Don’t be afraid to set boundaries. Toxic people often try to cross boundaries, so it’s important that you establish them early on and stick to them. This will help keep the lines of communication open while also protecting your emotional well-being.
- Get support from friends and family members who care about you. These people can provide a listening ear and offer much-needed support during tough times. Talking openly about how a toxic relationship is affecting you can also help lessen the load burden felt by carrying these negative feelings around alone.
Establish a Routine and Stick to It
One of the best things that you can do for your mental health is to establish a routine and stick to it. This means setting some regular hours for going to bed and waking up, eating at regular times, and sticking to a schedule for your activities. When your life is regimented in this way, it can be easier to relax and focus on the task at hand. Routine also gives you a sense of control over your life, which can be reassuring in times of stress.
Exercise Regularly
One of the lifestyle changes that can promote better mental health is to exercise regularly. Exercise releases endorphins, which are hormones that have mood-boosting effects. They help to improve your overall mood and can make you feel happier.
Additionally, exercise can help to reduce stress levels and anxiety. It can also improve sleep quality, which is essential for good mental health. When you are well-rested, you are less likely to experience problems like anxiety and depression. Exercising also helps to boost your self-confidence and self-esteem, which can be beneficial for mental health.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a practice that can be used to promote better mental health. It is a form of meditation that involves being aware of the present moment and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
Mindfulness can help you learn to accept your thoughts and feelings without judgment and to focus on the positive aspects of life. It can also help you become more aware of how your thoughts and emotions affect your physical health. Mindfulness can be practiced in a variety of ways, including through meditation, yoga, or simply by paying attention to the things you are doing in the present moment.
Overall, lifestyle changes are important for promoting better mental health. This includes changes to diet, exercise, and sleep habits, as well as social and emotional support. Making these changes can help improve mood, reduce stress, and boost overall well-being.
