Mental health is the foundation of a healthy life. It includes your psychological, emotional and social well-being. Like your physical health, mental health is something you should think about all the time and invest in which is what we strive to do each and everyday at New Horizon Counseling. Do not wait until you are experiencing challenges, stressed, anxious, or feeling low for you to take measures to care for your health, as New Horizon is here to help. Looking after your mental health ensures you remain fit and also reduces the risk of physical health problems. The following tips should be of value for anyone looking to maintain or improve their mental health.
- Get a good night sleep
Sleep has a huge effect on your mood and emotions. Therefore if you do not get quality sleep, you are likely to feel anxious and depressed. On the other hand, quality sleep helps your brain and body to refresh and recharge. As a result, one is able to concentrate, remember things, think positively and cope with problems.
- Eat healthily
The better you eat, the better your body functions. Lack of proper nutrition deprives the body of essential nutrients and contributes to poor mental health, but a balanced diet helps the brain stay healthy and function well. A healthy diet includes whole grains, healthy fats, lean protein, legumes, lots of vegetables and fruits.
- Exercise
Exercising is not all about weight loss or keeping fit but also a great way to improve your mental health. Exercising is a natural mood elevator that helps eliminate low mood, stress, anxiety, feeling tired and lazy. Exercise stimulates the release of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, which help regulate your mood. It also helps to maintain a balance of your adrenaline levels, thus reducing stress. In addition, it stimulates the release of endorphins which relieve stress. 20-30 minutes of exercise a day is enough to help improve mental health.
- Connect with others
It is important to stay social as it impacts your mental health. Socializing with another person can be more of opening up and talking about issues or problems you may be experiencing. Also, by socializing, you get to drift away from your worries, reminisce about great memories and learn new things. Surrounding yourself with great people boosts feelings of well-being and decreases feelings of depression and loneliness. And, at New Horizon Counseling we have a great program to help you connect with others to reach this goal.
- Do something you love
Spending time engaging in something you love can tremendously improve your mental health. Research has established that people who frequently engage in their hobbies are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and low mood. Besides, engaging in hobbies distracts you from your problems and leaves you feeling happier, relaxed, and recharged to handle stressful situations.
- Help others
Helping others is not only good for those at the receiving end but also good for you. It is an excellent way to enhance your self-worth, self-esteem, and make a difference in the community. While volunteering, choose an organization or activity that aligns with your passions.
- Set goals
At New Horizon, we believe that setting goals is impactful to your mental health. There is no better feeling than that of accomplishment. Achieving a goal enhances your self-esteem and self-worth. However, remember to set realistic goals. Devote your time and effort in achieving your targets.
- Ask for help
Many people find it difficult to admit their struggles or challenges. You should know seeking help is a sign of strength, and there is no shame in doing so. Whenever you feel stressed or are bothered by negative feelings, try talking to someone or contact a local help organization such as New Horizon Counseling. Talking helps process your feelings better and takes off the burden you may be feeling.
Bottom line
The above tips can remarkably transform your mental health. However, keep in mind that improving your mental health may not be a walk in the park. It takes lots of sacrifice, time, patience and consistency. Lastly, if you are worried about your mental health, do not be shy to ask for help, at New Horizon we are here to help make your journey to recovery as smooth as possible.
