“Mental health… is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.” – Noam Shpancer, PhD.

Despite the hectic nature of modern lives, most of us acknowledge the importance of taking the time to invest in our physical health and/or fitness.

Unfortunately, though, when it comes to mental health, it’s often not the case as most of us still believe that “if we can’t see it, it doesn’t exist.”

In reality, when we don’t take care of our physical health, most of us understand that we’ll be putting ourselves in a position where we become susceptible to diseases or ailments. These physical symptoms and effects are very much visible to us and therefore harder for us to dismiss.

Whereas with mental health, when one falls victim to a mental health illness such as depression, the symptoms and effects can easily be ignored or misdiagnosed as just a phase of bad mood.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to work for a non-profit organization that focuses on providing mental health support and learned firsthand how crucial it is to maintain a good state of mental health.

When it comes to mental health illnesses, prevention is certainly better than cure as they can be difficult and very costly to treat.

More importantly, having good mental health not only prevents us from developing mental health issues, but it also enhances our ability to live our very best lives.

Those who are emotionally healthy tend to be more resilient, confident, and able to handle life’s challenges with a more positive attitude.

Luckily, taking care of and improving our mental health can be easy. However, it requires us to commit to making time and effort on a regular basis.

Below are some simple tips that I’ve personally found to be helpful in improving one’s overall psychological health and wellbeing:

*Disclaimer: If you suspect that you may suffer from depression or other chronic mental health conditions, please note that the following tips are not a substitute for psychological assistance. Please seek professional help. 

1. Set aside some “me” time

With so much on our plate, we often find ourselves ending up putting our own needs on the back burner.

If you’re looking to become more mentally healthy, you’ll need to start by making a commitment to do something you enjoy doing at least a few times a week.

This is crucial because if you don’t tend to your own needs before you tend to others, you’ll most likely burn out and end up feeling resentful towards the people and/or things that you focus your time and energy on.

Whether it’s taking a leisurely walk in the park, having bubble baths, watching movies, reading a good book, or playing with your pet, dedicating time to indulge in something you enjoy is a must to maintain good emotional health and overall wellbeing.

2. Share your story

When we are going through challenging times, it is crucial that you are able to communicate your experience with someone you trust (a best friend, spouse/ significant other, family member, etc).

Many of us feel that we are not able to talk about our hardships because it makes us appear weak or makes us feel as if we are ‘burdening’ others with our issues.

Keep in mind that everyone has experienced hardships at least once in their lives and they may just be able to relate better than you think!

More importantly, sharing our feelings with someone we care about acknowledges that we trust them enough to be vulnerable with them and may potentially bring the relationship even closer.

If you find yourself unable to divulge your feelings and emotions to someone you know and would be more comfortable talking to a third party, do seek out and make an appointment with a mental health professional.

If you’ve been finding it challenging to find counseling or therapy that is convenient, accessible, and effective, Online-Therapy.com may just be the ‘solution’ you’ve been looking for.

Launched in 2009, they offer access to mental health professionals (licensed & accredited) ranging from psychologists, marriage & family therapists, clinical social workers, and board licensed professional counselors.

All done virtually, Online-Therapy caters to both individuals and couples and aims to make it easy to find the affordable professional help you need.

Curious as to what their current and past clients have to say about their services? On their site, you’ll be able to find 2700+ testimonials from real people across the globe so you can gauge whether their service will be the right fit for you.

If you’re interested in getting on board, you’ll be able to get 20% off their services by signing up through our special link.

Not yet ready for therapy? You can also call up a mental health support hotline available in your area. In any case, sharing your story will enable you to feel that you are in fact, not alone.

3. Express Gratitude

Acknowledging our appreciation for the things that we already have enabled us to focus on the good that already exists in our lives and this creates feelings of joy.

Appreciation is potent for fighting off anxiety and worry because when we feel joy, we feel more excitement and optimism for life.

We can express our gratitude by saying our list of “Thank Yous” verbally before starting out our day every morning, writing it all down in a gratitude journal, or simply by quietly expressing gratitude for things and people we are thankful for as we go about our day.

Read more: Why It’s Important to Count Our Blessings

4. Get Adequate Sleep

Countless research found that we are able to best perform and are most energized when we get enough sleep on a daily basis.

Though the amount of sleep needed differs from one person to another, on average, adults need about 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night to function optimally and be in a prime state of mind to make important decisions.

For those who are used to getting about half of the required amount of sleep, it’s helpful to start by adding 30 minutes more to your normal sleep pattern and then gradually increase it.

Soon enough, you’ll find that you’ll have more energy and be more ready to tackle whatever life throws at you.

Read more: Rise and Shine: Why It Pays to Be an Early Bird

5. Get Moving!

Making time for physical exercise is a “double whammy” as it not only able benefits our physical health, it also has the ability to improve our emotional health and overall wellbeing.

Awesome right? Be sure to get your heart and lungs pumping for at least 30 minutes 4-5 times a week to reap these benefits.

Personally, as I get bored quite easily, I have a mix of activities that I alternate which allow me to stay physically active and have fun at the same time. I particularly enjoy activities that aren’t too structured, so it feels different each time.

Alternatively, in times when you have almost no time to spare for exercise, make simple yet meaningful changes throughout your days such as opting for the stairs rather than the elevator or taking a short walk after lunch or dinner.

Whatever your choice of exercise is, get (and stay) physically active. The endorphins that exercise releases will help not only to energize and to lift our moods, but they can also serve as powerful antidotes to prevent various mental health illnesses.

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Looking to better maintain a good state of mental health? Working with a coach can help you to find effective ways to align your mental health to your daily routine! Curious to find out more? Book your FREE discovery call to get started!