In our fast-paced modern world, it is easy to neglect our mental health. However, taking care of our mental health is just as important as looking after our physical health. 

Your mental health and physical health go hand-in-hand. Optimising your mental state enhances your ability to handle stress, make decisions, and fully enjoy life. Here are some tips to ‘up your mental health’ and cultivate a more harmonious mind.

Getting to know your true self

In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we tend to lose ourselves amidst it all. Take the time to really think about ‘Who am I?’. What are the things you like and don’t like? What really excites you? What are your values and beliefs? 

Delving into self-discovery will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and will help you to respond to life more effectively. Surrounding yourself with people that align with your beliefs, values and interests will also help you to feel more fulfilled in your everyday life. 

By getting to know yourself better, you will be able to create the life you truly want.

Self Acceptance and Self Love

The journey of self-love and acceptance is not an easy one and some days will be better than others. To truly accept and love yourself won’t happen overnight, however daily practice will increase your self-love and acceptance over time. 

Forgive yourself for wrong-doings. Be more mindful of your daily actions and habits, and applaud your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Allow self-love and acceptance to empower you and realise that YOU ARE ENOUGH.

Managing Social Media Habits 

Social media has its benefits; staying in touch with family and friends, connecting with people and accessing information from the palm of our hands. However with all the good, there is also some bad – particularly when it comes to your mental health. 

Research has shown a very strong association between poor mental health and social media use. So the question is – how do we enjoy social media without sacrificing our mental health? Social media gives people the platform to put their entire lives on display, hence there are endless opportunities to compare yourself to another person. 

We constantly observe others through their social media and as people only post their positive achievements online, we tend to compare ourselves to others’ realities which are false and misleading. This leads to feelings of inadequacy, exclusion and envy. 

Therefore, it is vital to take a look at your social media habits. Reduce your social media use, have a “screen free day”. Take a break from the endless scrolling on Instagram and make time for other activities which are more fulfilling. You do not have to give up social media entirely, but do a ‘social media detox’ once a month and see what a major difference it will make in your mental health!

Knowledge is Key 

Instead of that endless scrolling on Instagram or Facebook, why not take up a new skill instead or set a new goal towards achieving something? By learning a new skill, you inevitably boost your mental health as you are boosting your confidence and self-esteem. You can build a sense of purpose and encourage connection with others.

Nature is your friend

Be honest – how many hours do you spend staring at a screen every day? Many people spend around 10 hours staring at a screen each day. This means that you (and me included) are spending less and less time outdoors as our reliance on technology becomes more and more. 

A simple Google search will tell you how valuable it is to spend time outdoors in nature. Whether it be through a walk through your neighbourhood, a stroll in the park or hiking up a mountain; being exposed to nature poses many benefits. 

Spending time in nature lowers your stress and anxiety and improves your mood. Nature might even thwart those feelings of loneliness and social isolation. 

So what are you waiting for? Get up and go explore what nature has to offer.

Connect with Others

As Humans, we are fundamentally made for human connection and are social beings at heart. Even introverts need to connect with others from time to time. 

Therefore it comes as no shock that connecting with others is a major benefit to your mental health. Just by engaging in more meaningful conversations, spending more time with your loved ones and building stronger social relationships, your mental health will be boosted more than you know.

As much as some of us like to believe that we can go through life’s ups and downs on our own; wouldn’t it be so much better to share those moments with those closest to you? 

The next time you plan on watching a series or a movie on your own, why not invite a friend over – even if you sit in silence.

Ask for Help – There is No Shame

It is time we all realise that seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength. Admitting you need help is the first step to truly healing and becoming whole again and is probably the bravest thing you will ever do. 

There are therapists, counsellor and mental health professionals for a reason. They exist to provide you with tools, coping strategies and guidance to be the best version of yourself. 

There used to be a major stigma surrounding mental health, however the conversation is shifting and people are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of seeking help from a professional. By seeking professional help, you will no longer have to deal with struggles on your own. You will learn valuable coping strategies and your quality of life will greatly improve. 

So if you ever doubt whether or not seeking professional help is for you; think of what you will gain from it and how it will benefit your mental health and overall well-being in the long -run.

Conclusion

It is crucial to prioritise your mental health and take meaningful steps to improve it to ensure you are leading a balanced and fulfilling life. By incorporating some of these tips, you can ‘up your mental health’ and enjoy the benefits of a well-balanced mind. 

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Therefore, making small changes every day can lead to great improvements over a course of time. Why not start today?

Found this article helpful? Explore our website and social media pages for more helpful tips and mastering our time on this earth. Should you need to see a professional even just for a check-in, contact us today for a referral.