9 Effective Ways to Stay Mentally Healthy

Life isn’t always easy. While there are times when it feels like we’re on top of the world, at others, it can feel as if we're at the bottom of a ditch. And the thing about these low moments is that they can come from nowhere; even if everything seems to be well in our lives, it’s not always possible to be in a cheery mood. The first thing is to recognize that it’s normal to feel this way, and that there are many other people in the same position. The one upside of the prevalence of mental health conditions is that researchers have learned a lot about the things we can do to get ourselves in a mentally healthy state of mind. 

We take a look at a few of these  solutions below.

Listen To Yourself
It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of daily life. However, it’s important to avoid getting too swept up in all that life throws at us. From time to time, we need to listen to ourselves and take stock of what we need. For example, by doing this, you might learn that you’re beginning to feel a little overwhelmed. At which point, you’ll know that you need to slow down and look after yourself a little. In your quest for positive mental health, simply listening to yourself can be your first line of defense. 

Run It Out
We can sometimes find ourselves in negative circles that we have to escape from. If we’re in a negative state of mind, then sitting in a room, while just fine if we’re doing so with intention, may end up doing more harm than good. One of the quickest and most effective ways to nudge your mental health in the right direction is to put on some running shoes and go for a long jog. This will help to get you out of your head a little, and, more importantly, it’ll release feel-good chemicals called endorphins into your mind. These are what cause the “runner’s high” after you’ve finished. 

Eating Well
Ever heard of the saying, you are what you eat? While it’s fine to indulge in some “not good for you” foods from time to time, as a general rule, you’ll want to ensure that you’re eating healthy. In order to maintain positive mental health, it’s important that your body is getting all of the minerals and nutrients it needs to be at its best. Many people have some misconceptions about eating well, the chief one being that it takes a lot of time. This is not the case! Indeed, there are extremely healthy meals that you can make in around twenty minutes or less. Also, the ingredients don’t have to be expensive; in many cases, they’re cheaper than unhealthy options. 

Limit the Vices
While things like alcohol are presented as socially acceptable, it is worth thinking about your own alcohol intake, and deciding for yourself if it’s a good thing for you or not. 

Alcohol is depressive, and while you won’t feel it just by having one glass of wine, if you’re drinking slightly more than you should on a regular basis, then you might find that you lose a little bit of your zest for life. You don’t have to commit to never having another drink again; instead, take a look at simply giving it up for a few weeks or so. You might be surprised at just how good you feel after a couple of weeks. 
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Cut Out Toxic People
It’s bad enough when we’re our own worst enemy, but it’s even worse when we have an enemy who presents themselves as a friend. If you have someone in your life who you think probably isn’t as good for you as you previously thought, then look at cutting them out of your life. The people we surround ourselves with can have a huge impact on our state of mind. If someone is belittling you or making you feel bad about yourself, it’s time to move on.

Remember You Have Options
Sometimes, it’s our circumstances that contribute to poor mental health. If we feel like we’re trapped in a situation that we can’t get out of, then it won’t be long before your state of mind begins to dip into negative territory. It’s really important to remember that, whatever you’re going through, there will be options that will help you overcome the issue at hand. For example, there are organizations that can help get you get out of debt. You can even find at home abortions without pills. It’s normal to feel like the weight of our circumstances is weighing us down, but it’s always possible to find a path towards better ground.

Talk With Others
Communication is probably the best tool we have when it comes to overcoming our mental health issues. Very often, you’ll find that just by talking about what you’re going through with another person can effectively help reduce your stress and current issue. You might learn that it’s not as big a problem as you thought it was, for example. Or you might discover that the person you’re talking with has gone through the exact same issue as you, and has useful advice  you can follow.

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Into Nature
Nature is amazing; it’s just that most of us live in cities, where nature is limited or non-existent. It really is worthwhile looking at taking regular trips into the outdoors, since studies have shown that just fifteen minutes of nature is enough to give our brain a boost. And if you spend two hours in nature each week, you’ll significantly boost happiness and reduce your anxiety levels, too.

Do Something For Others
Finally, remember that sometimes, we have to avoid digging ourselves into a negative state of mind. One of the best ways to do this is to do something for others. Studies have shown that volunteering and random acts of kindness can have a tremendous effect on our confidence, self-worth, and happiness levels, so look at making it part of your schedule.

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By Iconic Chica Mag Editors