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In a fast-paced society, mental health often comes secondary. While individuals can often recognize overt episodes of mental health deterioration, subtler forms of suffering are often missed. Many people struggle to recognize and address areas of mental strain and stress in their own lives.
The threat of untreated mental health disorders is real, and it affects even the bravest members of our population. Veterans, for example, account for only 8% of the United States population but contribute 18% of annual suicides.
From post-traumatic stress to commonplace anxiety and depression, there are many people in every community who suffer silently.
6 Tips for Improving Your Mental Health
This is a practice that should not continue. Mental health is as important as physical, and it is for that reason that today we will examine six tips for improving your mental health.
#1. Better Understand the Human Mind
The most basic way to improve your mental health is simply to better understand the human mind. There are a lot of resources out there that can provide you with an entry-level understanding of the world of human psychology.
Psychology is a field that constantly develops and fluctuates. Keep in mind that insights into the human mind can be substantiated only by substantiated by observable human behavior.
As observations grow or are re-interrupted, theories often change or adapt. You cannot learn all there is to know about the human psyche by familiarizing yourself with one psychologist’s research.
However, you can strive for a base-level understanding of the theories brought forth by thought leaders.
Taking a class at your local college or university could familiarize you with the thoughts and works of Jung, Pavlov, Piaget, and more.
However, if that isn’t in your budget, or if you just don’t have time to further your education, many online resources can assist your understanding of the human mind.
(See also: Healthy Mind, Healthy Life!)
#2. Be Mindful of the Present
Improving your mental health is not all academic. Most of the work is going to be done on a moment-to-moment basis.
One of the best things that you can do to relieve stressors is to focus on the moment at hand. All too often, stress accumulates not because of the present, but because of thoughts of the future.
Allowing yourself to live in the present can go a long way towards improving happiness and reducing stress.
#3. Accept the Actions of Others
Accepting the actions of others does not necessarily mean that you have to approve of what certain people in your life are doing. If you have a person of significance in your life who conducts themselves in a way that causes you some sort of mental anguish, you do not need to bring yourself to condone that behavior.
You should, however, recognize that you are not the one responsible for changing it.
Free yourself from the burden of trying to change things that you have no control over.
#4. Move Towards Your Goals
Progress can be satisfying. It can build self-esteem and promote a sense of accomplishment that brings joy to your day-to-day life. If you have a goal, be it related to fitness, your career, or your family, start working towards it.
Creating lots of small milestones for yourself that can be completed regularly will do well to give your day purpose and will also help you move your life in a favorable direction.
#5. Exercise
In addition to being good for your physical health, exercise can also boost your mental health. It may sound like a generic suggestion, but there is a chemical component to how exercise improves your health.
When you work out, your brain releases mood-boosting endorphins. In other words, when you work out, you will most likely feel better afterward.
(See also: Try These Brain Enhancement Supplements, Diets, And Exercises [For A Healthy Brain])
#6. Be Honest
Telling someone that you are struggling can be a real challenge. You may feel that they won’t care, or simply that they will see you differently once you bear your soul.
But while opening up can be difficult, it can also be very rewarding. Just knowing that you aren’t alone in dealing with your struggles can change the way that you see them.
Also, bear in mind that sometimes you may need to open up to more than just a friend. The tips that we have listed today should serve to improve the quality of your daily life.
However, some cases of mental health stress require more than just the implementation of quick tips. Opening up to a psychologist who is well-educated and trained in dealing with mental health crises may make a profound difference in your life.
About The Author:
With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for several startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology, and health education.
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