There are a lot of articles and blogs out there that tell you how you can be physically healthy. But, it's a little more difficult to find articles on how to stay mentally healthy. Our mental health impacts all areas of our lives - our careers, our relationships and how content we are with our lives.
As it turns out, people who are mentally healthy have healthy habits. They are able to manage their emotions, behaviors and thoughts in ways that make them successful. Below are 5 simple ways to stay mentally healthy for your entire life:
1. Set realistic goals
So many times people feel pressured by society or their family and friends to achieve, achieve, achieve! Don't "just" get a bachelor's degree, get a master's degree; don't "settle" for an entry level position, go for an administrative one, etc., etc. Setting unrealistic goals for yourself is setting yourself up to fail, plain and simple. And, it's impossible to feel good about yourself if you are constantly failing. Set small, achievable goals for yourself and then build on what you've learned before going for the larger, more difficult goals.
2. Surround yourself with positive people
Your mental health can be affected by the people you associate with. If you are surrounded by negative people, you will tend to have a more negative outlook on life. Being around people who criticize you or tell you that you can't do what you want to do or that you aren't good enough can keep you from being successful. Choose to surround yourself with people who are positive; people who tell you that you are good enough, smart enough and capable enough and you will feel more emotionally positive.
3. Take care of your body
There is a strong mind/body connection in each of us. If you don't feel well physically, you are going to feel well mentally. Taking care of your body by exercising releases neurotransmitter hormones (serotonin and endorphins) that lifts our mood and makes us feel good about ourselves. It can also give you more energy to achieve those goals you set for yourself!
4. Manage your stress
Chronic stress has been linked to a numerous amount of health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and depression. So, it is imperative to your physical and emotional health that you manage your stress levels. Yoga, meditation and exercise are good stress relievers and things you can do at home in your spare time. And, don't say you don't have the time. Just taking a 30 minute walk can bring those stress levels down.
5. Be mindful of what you eat
Consuming alcohol, caffeine, sugar and simple carbohydrates can alter your mood, mess with your emotions, and make you feel tired. Having a healthy diet will make you feel better physically and will prevent the emotional highs and lows associated with blood sugar highs and crashes. As I mentioned in #3 above, having a healthy body will create a healthy mental attitude. Healthy food = healthy mind!
