There’s no time like the present to take care of yourself and that includes your mental health. Our health coach Jennifer Dietrick is here with tips to help.

To live a healthy lifestyle, there are so many components that go into it. From eating nutritious, to exercising, and even addressing our mental state.

Nearly 1 in 5 American adults will have a diagnosed mental health condition¹ and approximately 46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition at some point in their life². Mental health should always be a priority. Below are some tips to help.

Move Daily

There is plenty of data supporting that exercise is improves physical health, yet its positive impact on mental health is a more significant reason to move daily³. Aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, and/or dancing have all been shown to help reduce anxiety and depression⁴. Find daily movement that you enjoy so you can improve your mood.

Eat Healthy

In conjunction with exercise, proper nutrition is imperative to improve your mental health. Unhealthy food can cause you to have low energy which naturally may hinder your mood. When you are eating healthy, your body and brain are receiving the proper nutrients to function at its best. Further supplementation may be required for both physical and mental health. It is best to get blood work done and yearly physicals to determine if you need any additional nutrients.

Get Sleep

Sleep is another aspect to optimal health and fitness that is often overlooked. Someone’s mood can be completely altered by lack of sleep, in addition to negative physical effects. Proper sleep not only helps your mood, but you have a clearer mind to make better decisions throughout your day. To help get better sleep, meditation is recommended.

Meditate

Meditation can also improve your mental health. This practice alone can transform your mental state by doing it daily. Slowing down the mind leads to less stress, better health, and more positive thoughts amongst other physical benefits. Also, getting outside in nature and in the sun is a definite mood enhancer. Even if you don’t have a long period of time to do so, then at least focus on a few minutes in the morning to start your day.

Maintain Balance

Focusing on having balance in your life will better your mental state. This balance may vary amongst individuals, yet you want to include time to relax and recharge, socialize, play, and work. Ideally, doing what you love for a living will help tremendously. If you are working at getting there, then make certain to be involved with your passion regularly. Learning new skills and working to improve the ones you already have will enhance your life. They only need to be small steps which you can do by making small promises to yourself daily.

Express Feelings

With life comes feelings, and they are best felt and not repressed or masked by anything. Choosing to feel and release them in a way that works for you can help you in all areas of your life. Journaling can be very helpful and bring awareness to what is really bothering you and to any patterns you may have.

I also recommend noting all your top negative thoughts, writing them in positive form, and repeating them daily. Adding a gratitude list to your regimen is another way to reframe your mind.

It is important to have support in your life however it looks to you. Isolating will only enhance any negativity you may be feeling. Find support through friends, your community, support groups, and/or a therapist. We can’t do it alone, so find the support you need in the forms that work for you.