Mental health is something everyone has to take care of. Most of the time, it is put on the back burner and undermined by physical health, academics, etc. Whether you have a diagnosed mental illness or are the happiest person in the world, you still have to take care of your mental health. The following are some ways you can do just that:
1. Take vitamins and supplements. The best supplements for mental health are a B complex, St. John’s Wort, and Valerian. These are natural ways to ease depression and anxiety and help you get sleep (more on sleep later). You can find all of these at your local nutrition shop, online, or even at Walmart.
2. Seek counseling. If your mental health impedes the way you function on a daily basis, see a counselor. You should not be ashamed to take this step, it simply means you are doing something to help yourself live a better life.
3. Exercise. This is accomplishing two things at once -- physical and mental health. When exercising, your body releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood. Also, exercising tires your body out so you sleep better (more on sleep later).
4. Meditate and/or do yoga. Meditating not only makes you mindful while you’re doing it, but it also makes you mindful day-to-day. Meditating can help you clear your mind and be grounded, which is really helpful for anxiety. If you struggle to start meditating on your own, take a yoga class. Every yoga class ends in savasana, which is a short meditation.
5. Have someone you can talk to. This is so important for your mental health. Whether it be a family member, friend, counselor, or someone else, make sure you can trust that person and let things off your mind. Sometimes the easiest way to heal is to just talk.
6. Take time for yourself. When we get busy, it’s easy to forget to get some time to our self. Read a book, take a bath, engage in your favorite hobby -- it can be anything. It’s important to relax and do things for ourselves more often.
7. Get enough sleep. The brain produces chemicals that keep us happy when we sleep. This is one reason it is necessary to get enough sleep every night. Everyone’s body is different, but getting more sleep is always helpful.
8. Eat clean. Eating junk food can make you feel lethargic and miserable. Healthy foods provide vitamins the brain needs to function properly. Also, don’t skip meals. If all of that sounds too hard to do, just start with eating a whole, healthy breakfast to start your day.
9. Take medicine. If you’re having feelings of depression, anxiety, obsession, or other mental health concerns that are getting out of control, go see a doctor to get medicine. Medicine is a wonderful short-term fix, and it doesn’t mean that you are “giving up” by taking it. SSRIs and other medications can get you through while you change other aspects of your life (for example, doing all the things above).
10. Ask for help. Getting a healthy mind cannot always be done alone. No matter your situation, ask a family member, friend, mentor, or doctor for help. You are not weak by doing this. You are actually being strong, being able to recognize you could be living a better life. And finally, accept its okay to not be okay -- just do something about it.
