For Mental Health Awareness Month, Radiant Primary Care is here to share 6 ways to improve your mental health.
6 Ways To Help Improve Your Mental Health
- Make time to get your sleep.
- Get some vitamin D and sunshine.
- Engage in some physical activity and movement.
- Reduce your social media time.
- Make face-to-face social connections a priority.
- Choose nutrient-rich foods and stay hydrated.
Make Time To Get Your Sleep
Getting good quality sleep is essential for both physical and mental wellbeing. If you have difficulty sleeping, it can take a toll on your mental health. To ensure that you get adequate rest, here are some helpful tips you should try: avoid consuming caffeine after 3 pm, develop a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time daily, make your bedroom as tranquil and peaceful as possible, and keep the temperature of your bedroom around 65°F.
Get Some Vitamin D And Sunshine
The sun is a fantastic source of Vitamin D, which studies show can enhance our mood and outlook. Even a brief amount of time spent outdoors can give you the benefits you need. If you are cooped up inside all day and unable to get out, here are some ideas to try: take a short stroll, sit in your backyard, or just stand outside and breathe in the fresh air. Another option is to open the window near your workspace, propose having a work meeting outside, have lunch at a nearby park, or exercise outdoors.
Engage In Some Physical Activity And Movement
Exercising provides numerous psychological advantages, including lessening stress, elevating your mood, assisting you to drift off to sleep faster and for a longer duration, and coping with the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Everyone has their own preference when it comes to physical activity, so don’t feel like you need to go to the gym if it’s not your thing. Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. Instead, pick an activity that is most suitable for your body, wellbeing, and interests so that you can make exercising enjoyable.
To start, experiment with different kinds of physical activities and stick with the ones you enjoy. Fun activities might include joining a running or walking group, participating in a restorative yoga class, doing seated exercises, having a dance party, taking stretching breaks every hour, gardening in the backyard, or going on a weekend hike or walk at the beach. In conclusion, you don’t need to do a rigorous workout to benefit your mental and physical health.
Reduce Your Social Media Time
Experts suggest that consuming too much information about the lives of other people can lead to feelings of self-comparison and inadequacy, as well as heightened levels of anxiety and depression. To reduce the time you spend on social media, try keeping your phone away from your bedroom while sleeping, making a list of alternate activities to replace scrolling sessions, and turning off notifications or deleting social apps from your phone.
Make Face-To-Face Social Connections A Priority
Humans are social creatures, and having strong relationships can have a huge positive impact on your mental wellbeing. Friendships can help to reduce loneliness, give you emotional support, and provide a deeper meaning to your life.
There are lots of ways to form positive connections and keep your friendships going. Stay in touch through messages, go for a walk or grab some breakfast together, call each other during lunch, or plan regular dinner dates. More than just the amount of time spent together, taking the time to really catch up and joke around when you do hang out can help to create stronger bonds.
Choose Nutrient-Rich Foods And Stay Hydrated
Eating the right foods can have a positive effect on your mental health. Incorporating mood-boosting nutrients into your diet such as berries, bananas, beans, whole grains, and fatty fish like salmon are great for promoting better mental health. It’s essential to make sure you’re providing your body with the necessary nourishment it needs every day, regardless of what type of food it is.
Additionally, staying hydrated is essential to keeping your brain and body functioning optimally. Too much alcohol, caffeine, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars can worsen symptoms of anxiety, so limiting these foods can help minimize any adverse effects.
Radiant Primary Care Is Here For You
Radiant Primary Care is proud to offer the very best in primary care, as well as specialized care from our Heart Institute and MediSpa services. If you’re ready for quality care from caring specialists dedicated to improving your overall quality of life in Victorville, Apple Valley, or Barstow, call Radiant Primary Care today!
