How to Boost Your Mental Health
You know that you should eat healthy foods and get some exercise to feel good and live longer. Another key part to living longer is your mental health.
Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. But we all face changes in life that can challenge our emotional well-being. Whatever happens in your life, make your mental health a priority. You'll feel better and deal with stress better. These ideas can keep your spirits up:
Stay in touch with family and friends. Maintaining relationships is good for your mental health. Call and video conference your children or grandchildren. If you don't have family or friends nearby, connect online with a local church or synagogue, or a community organization.
Give yourself time to adjust to major life changes, including obvious negative events, like the death of your spouse or a friend. These can be accompanied by a sense of loss. Grieving any loss is natural and necessary.
Keep busy with mentally stimulating activities. Consider volunteering or taking a class. Explore new interests like learning another language.
Exercise. Take a walk or ride a bike. Exercise improves how you feel mentally, as well as physically.
Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can contribute to depression. Try to get as much sleep as you need. Although we often say that a person needs about 8 hours of sleep per night, this is only an average number. Some people find they need more. It's important that you find out for yourself how many hours you need for restful, restorative sleep.
Practice optimism and good humor. A positive attitude and laughter boost your mood. Talk with people who make you laugh. Rent funny movies.
Keep this list handy and add ideas of your own. It's worth putting good mental health on the top of your "to do" list every day.
If you ever feel down, now that it is acceptable. It's impossible to be cheerful all the time. Some days are harder than others. But if you just can't shake your sadness or you have mysterious aches and pains, you may be suffering from depression.
Like heart disease and diabetes, clinical depression is an illness. If you suspect you may be depressed, talk to your healthcare provider. Treatment can help you feel good again — but first, someone has to know you feel bad. If at any time you are feeling suicidal, contact a support person, your healthcare provider, or call 911 to get immediate help. You can also get help at the nearest emergency room or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).
Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. But we all face changes in life that can challenge our emotional well-being. Whatever happens in your life, make your mental health a priority. You'll feel better and deal with stress better. These ideas can keep your spirits up:
Stay in touch with family and friends. Maintaining relationships is good for your mental health. Call and video conference your children or grandchildren. If you don't have family or friends nearby, connect online with a local church or synagogue, or a community organization.
Give yourself time to adjust to major life changes, including obvious negative events, like the death of your spouse or a friend. These can be accompanied by a sense of loss. Grieving any loss is natural and necessary.
Keep busy with mentally stimulating activities. Consider volunteering or taking a class. Explore new interests like learning another language.
Exercise. Take a walk or ride a bike. Exercise improves how you feel mentally, as well as physically.
Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can contribute to depression. Try to get as much sleep as you need. Although we often say that a person needs about 8 hours of sleep per night, this is only an average number. Some people find they need more. It's important that you find out for yourself how many hours you need for restful, restorative sleep.
Practice optimism and good humor. A positive attitude and laughter boost your mood. Talk with people who make you laugh. Rent funny movies.
Keep this list handy and add ideas of your own. It's worth putting good mental health on the top of your "to do" list every day.
If you ever feel down, now that it is acceptable. It's impossible to be cheerful all the time. Some days are harder than others. But if you just can't shake your sadness or you have mysterious aches and pains, you may be suffering from depression.
Like heart disease and diabetes, clinical depression is an illness. If you suspect you may be depressed, talk to your healthcare provider. Treatment can help you feel good again — but first, someone has to know you feel bad. If at any time you are feeling suicidal, contact a support person, your healthcare provider, or call 911 to get immediate help. You can also get help at the nearest emergency room or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).