People often set goals for getting healthy, including working out more, eating better and being more active. People often rush into these goals with gusto and excitement. That energy is excellent. However, many people forget to also set goals for their mental health.
When we seek to improve ourselves, seeking to improve mental health should be a top priority. Good mental health is just as important as good physical health for a person’s well-being. Fortunately, when people improve their physical health, they are often beneficial for a person’s mental health.
Below are some steps to improve their mental health. The can help anyone gain confidence, reduce anxiety, and deal with any mental health challenge they may be gacing. Steps to improve your mental health include:
1. Being active
Being active should be at the top of everyone’s list of ways to improve their mental health. Research shows that exercise can ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety and help improve overall mental well-being. Even walking once or twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes counts as being active! You do not have to go all out with this goal and go to the gym seven days a week. Take small steps at first and work your way up to more intense and frequent workouts.
2. Starting small
As stated above, you do not need to go to extremes when creating goals and making changes to your life. When you are looking to improve mental health, change one behavior at a time. If a habit is causing you anxiety or contributing to poor mental health, focus on changing that one habit. This one-step method will help you feel less overwhelmed.
3. Not ignoring your emotions
Just because you try to ignore the fact you are feeling sad does not mean that your sadness will go away. This reality is especially true with seasonal affective disorder. Whether you are dealing with depression, anger management issues, or another mental health problem, focus on dealing with the root of the problem. Your mental health challenge may originate from work, family, friends, or even the media you consume. Do not ignore the problem. Instead, try to address the problem at its source.
4. Overcoming mental obstacles
No matter what your mental health goals are this year, chances are that you may stumble. It is human nature and it is normal for people to struggle as they work to improve their mental health. You must learn to forgive yourself if you falter. If you make a mistake, do not replay it over and over in your mind. Learning to forgive yourself is an essential part of goal setting and reaching your mental health goals.
5. Taking time to celebrate
Even if you conquer a small goal, celebrate it! People who struggle with their mental health can find strength in achieving small goals. Try to enjoy the moment. Do not think about the next step or goal, and do not focus on all the future issues you want to improve. Instead, take a moment to appreciate your current progress.
6. Learning a hobby
Mental health goals can be difficult to focus on and sometimes can cause stress. Instead of putting all your focus into one goal, it can help to put your attention elsewhere. One place to direct your attention is towards developing a new hobby. A hobby that improves your happiness and helps you learn a new skill can improve your mental health and help you feel more accomplished. This hobby can be gardening, cooking, exercising, woodworking, and even board games or video games.
7. Getting help when you need it
It is human nature for people to be a bit stubborn, and when it comes to finding mental health support, people can be particularly stubborn. Struggling through depression, anxiety, or other mental illness is not uncommon. In fact, one in five Americans endures a mental health challenge. You are not alone. However, far too often, people do not seek treatment because they fear judgment for having a mental illness. Trained mental health professionals can help you deal with any fears and offer the support you may need. So, do not be afraid to seek help when you need it.
Vista Del Mar Hospital’s team of multidiscinplinary professionals can. We treat adolescents and adults from all walks of life, including active-duty military and VeteransImproving your mental health can be scary and confusing, but we are here for you at Vista del Mar Hospital, with both inpatient and outpatient programs for crisis stabilization, healing and recovery. If you need help, call us at (805) 653-6434 or contact us here for a free mental health assessment.