Aside from taking care of your physical health, it’s also a must that you take care of your psychological well-being. It has been noticed that mental health conditions have increased recently due to a lot of factors, like the pandemic, rising prices of commodities, and other world events.
That’s why every household must open up their minds and start talking about mental health problems. If you are one of the individuals who are suffering from a psychological condition or you have a family member who is going through this problem, then you must continue reading.
One of the effective ways to improve your psychological health is to change how you live. That said, we have listed five lifestyle changes that will provide a positive impact on you or your loved ones’ mental health.
Improve Your Diet
The most obvious lifestyle change that will surely help you improve your mental health is improving your diet. You need to understand that certain foods will have a huge impact on your mental health.
For example, processed food and sugar contribute to the inflammation of your body and brain. Therefore, consuming too much of these kinds of food can result in anxiety or depression. If your doctor prescribed you with meds like vyvanse and zoloft, make sure to avoid any food that may interact with your medication.
It’s also advisable to increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids. A study has shown how helpful Omega-3 fatty acids are in the treatment of major depression and other psychiatric disorders. Foods rich in Omega-3 are eggs, tuna, salmon, spinach, and nuts.
Remember that eating healthy doesn’t only benefit your physical health. It improves your psychological health as well. Hence, make sure to incorporate these essentials during your meals to have a better state of mind.
Get Enough Sleep
If you are not getting enough sleep, then this is a sign that you need to rethink. Your sleep schedule. Remember, sleep boosts cognitive skills like memory, attention, and learning. Have you noticed that when you lack sleep, you tend to become more forgetful or have a hard time understanding lessons or instructions?
That’s how huge the impact of sleep has on your mental health. If you have been experiencing sleep deprivation for quite some time, you’re at risk of developing psychological health disorders.
So, it’s time for you to understand the importance of having adequate sleep for your mental health and ensure that starting tonight, you’ll need enough sleep. Start by making sure that you’re sleeping the same amount every night.
Though you can sleep an extra hour occasionally, any more than that will confuse your body clock. You must also set up your bedroom in a way that can help you relax and fall asleep easily. Do this by ensuring that the temperature is comfortable, not too hot, but not too cold. It’s also best to use a dim light if you aren’t comfortable sleeping in the dark.
However, if you can sleep in the dark, it’s still better to turn the lights off. The darkness of your surroundings helps your body release more melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone responsible for making you fall asleep.
Start Exercising Regularly
With how much the world demands from us every day, it’s no wonder why many fall into a sedentary lifestyle. With most of our time dedicated to responsibilities, many opt to just sit or lie down during their free time in an attempt to recover. Moreover, most jobs nowadays involve sitting down in front of the computer for long periods. Sitting in traffic during commute also contributes to the ongoing rise of Americans living a sedentary life.
However, a sedentary lifestyle can be harmful to you. Studies show that a sedentary life not only puts you at risk of diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. It also increases your chances of developing mental conditions like anxiety and depression.
Hence, it’s important to engage in physical activity—like exercising! Exercise doesn’t only maintain a good physique and healthy body. It is also a great way to manage mental health conditions. Exercising helps your brain release endorphins and serotonin. These hormones are known to be feel-good hormones that could improve your mood.
You don’t have to go to the gym to start. You can do a 30-minute brisk walking or jogging around your block can have a huge impact on your mood and your body. From there, you can do calisthenics and proceed to a gym.
Slowly Quitting Your Vices
If you are smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages often, it’s time for you to quit. A lot of people find it hard to leave their vices, especially smoking tobacco products. However, if you’re already suffering from a mental health disorder, it’s a must that you stop drinking alcohol and smoking.
You don’t need to do it suddenly. Start slowly and set small but realistic goals. These small goals are your stepping stone to achieving your ultimate goal, which is to quit your vices. It’s also helpful to talk to professionals and seek support from family and friends.
Remember, quitting your vices will be more difficult if you don’t have the support from family and friends.
Enjoy Nature More
The last but not the least is to enjoy nature more. Spending time outdoors in nature has a significant impact on your mental health. If you haven’t been on a nature trip, this is the right time to schedule one.
Nature is relaxing and calming. It helps you clear your thoughts and generate a lot of positive emotions. If you’re experiencing depression and anxiety, it’s a good idea to reconnect with nature. Once you do, you’ll notice a huge difference in your life.
You’ll become calmer, happier, and more relaxed. It can also stimulate creativity and boost concentration. So, don’t wait any longer. Start planning a nature trip as soon as possible and relax your mind.
Final Thoughts
Battling psychological health conditions is a challenging thing to do, but it’s not impossible. If you’re ready to fight your condition and be a better version of yourself, you must change your lifestyle, starting with the five things mentioned above.
