WHAT CAN AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH IN A POSITIVE WAY?
Caring for our mental health is not just something we should do when we are struggling, when we are
sad, or when we are going through a stressful and anxious time.
It's actually something we should be thinking about and really investing in all the time, just like
we do (or should) with our physical health.
There are many simple actions we can take to look after our mental health and wellbeing on a daily
basis:
REFRAME NEGATIVE THOUGHT PATTERNS
The relationship between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours is
connected.
Sometimes, we may develop negative thought patterns that are unhelpful and harmful. But by
recognising them and taking steps to think about things differently, we can improve our mental
health and wellbeing.
LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE
Staying active, getting enough sleep, and maintaining a balanced, nutritious
diet all have an
impact on how we feel. Eliminating unhealthy habits such as smoking, as well as reducing alcohol
and caffeine consumption, can also boost our mood.
CONNECT WITH OTHERS
Spending quality time with our friends or family, talking to someone about
how we feel, can help
us feel less lonely, reduce our anxiety and help us understand our feelings and emotions better.
Also Helping others has been shown to activate the rewards area of our brain and can increase
our self-esteem.
DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF
Engaging in a self-care routine, whether it be spending time on an activity
you enjoy, learning
something new that interests you, or simply taking time to relax, is an absolute necessity.
Clinical research has shown that practising self-care can effectively reduce symptoms of anxiety
and depression, alleviate stress, and promote overall happiness.
GET PROFESSIONAL HELP
And last but not least, getting professional help if you need it is a must.
Sometimes we can feel not really confident to talk about our problems with our friends or family
so seeking for a professionist about mental health could allow us to get back.
DON'T BE GRUDGING
Letting go of anger and avoiding spending time holding grudges against
others who have hurt us can lead us to live peacefully and achieve good mental health.