Mental health is something we have all of the time, not just when we are struggling. As it can be can be good or poor at different times in our lives, it is important that we all learn how to mind our mental health.
Here are some ways we can all look after our mental health:
1. Exercise
There are many advantages to exercising. It helps increase energy levels, use up excess energy and can improve sleep patterns and fitness.
It also helps to manage stress and anger and can boost your confidence. All positive for your mental health.
2. Nutrition
Having a balanced diet can help with energy levels, and feel good.It’s easy to fall into bad habits, but is important to try and eat well and cut out junk food.
3. Relax
It’s very easy to overlook making time for yourself with the hectic pace of life we all lead.It’s essential for your mental health that you find ways to take time out and relax. We all have different things we find relaxing; what we do isn’t as important as actually doing it.
4. Sleep
Sleep is crucial to our physical and mental health. It re-energises us, helps our bodies to heal and keeps our memory working properly.There are many things you can do to improve your quality of sleep including exercise, avoiding stimulants and implementing a daily routine or bed-time.
5. Be mindful
Mindfulness is about learning to focus your attention on the present moment. Not worrying unduly about past or future problems can be hugely beneficial to your physical and mental health.It can steady the breath, heart-rate, and improve the immune system and can help to deal with anxiety and depression.
6. Self-talk
Training the inner-voice in our head can be difficult, but worth-while. It’s important to learn not to talk to yourself in a negative or destructive way, such as thinking in black and white or constantly comparing yourself to others.
7. Set goals
Setting realistic goals, prioritising what’s important, and balancing our time can help in the management of our mental health. It gives us perspective on things and enables us to deal with problems more effectively.
8. Talk
Sometimes sharing things with friends and family can help you through and tough time, by helping you get some perspective.Staying connected and being social, anything from going to the movies or meeting people for a coffee, goes a long way to looking after your mental health.
9. Get Support
If you would like professional support with anything you are going through turn2me provides free, confidential online supports for young people and adults in the Republic of Ireland.
- Peer support – A free and safe space where you can find and give support by connecting with other people who have been through similar experiences.
- Group support -Facilitated by a mental health professional, support groups are a safe space to connect with others and share solutions and coping strategies on a variety of mental health topics.
- Counselling – Support for whatever you are going through, this is a safe space to talk with a professional counsellor to help you understand your feelings and work together to develop the tools you need to get through tough times.