How to Improve Mental Health
Source: MedlinePlus Health Topics, U.S. National Library of Medicine
What is mental health? Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress , relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and the teen years through adulthood and older age . Why is mental health important? Good mental health can help you: Cope with stress Be physically healthy Have good relationships Make meaningful contributions to your community Work productively Realize your full potential How can I improve my mental health? There are many ways to take care of your mental health, including: Staying positive , which is the habit of seeing the good in situations and expecting things to work out well. Some ways to build a positive outlook include: Finding balance between positive and negative emotions. Staying positive doesn't mean that you never feel negative emotions, such as sadness or anger. These emotions can help you deal with problems. But you don't want those emotions to take over. For example, it's not helpful to dwell on bad memories or worry too much about the future. Trying to hold on to good feelings when you have them. Limiting exposure to negative information. For example, take breaks from the news or social media if they make you feel upset. Use social media to connect, not to get into arguments, or negatively compare your life to others. Practicing gratitude , which means being thankful for the good things in your life. It's helpful to do this every day, either by thinking about what you are grateful for or writing it down in a journal. These can be big things, such as the support you have from loved ones, or little things, such as enjoying a nice meal. Practicing gratitude can help you notice moments when you have positive emotions, even during stressful times. Taking care of your physical health , since your physical and mental health are connected. Some ways to