Almost one quarter of the adult population in America had a mental illness of some kind in 2022. This is a shockingly high statistic that shows how important it is to support your mental health, and there’s no better time to start than now.
If you are unsure of how to begin bettering your mental health, then this post might be of some use. It outlines three of the best ways to support your mental health, from practicing self-care on a regular basis to prioritizing high-quality sleep.
Practice Self-Care Regularly
Many people will neglect caring for themselves for various reasons, whether that’s raising kids or being busy with work, but it is vital to make time for yourself. Self-care is individual to each person, so the activity or routine you want to focus on for your mental health will be subjective. It doesn’t have to be something overly relaxing, like a spa treatment, but it will involve caring for your emotional, mental, and physical needs.
The self-care you select might involve strengthening your body, managing your emotions, staying mentally sharp, and socializing with others. Making time to exercise, even if that’s through walking or dancing, and eating well ensures you are looking after your body correctly. Additionally, you could find an activity, like hobbies in this post, that brings you join. This could be a creative outlet for you or a way to occupy your mind for an hour per day.
Focus on High-Quality Sleep
Sleep, particularly high-quality sleep, is absolutely vital for good health, and this will also include your mental health. Your body will rest and repair during sleep; this will affect the health of your heart, your immune system, and more. It is essential for muscle repair and tissue growth. With your mental health, good sleep can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and so on.
Without enough Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, your brain will struggle to process emotions. If you get more sleep, then you are more likely to get more REM sleep. However, if you struggle with getting enough sleep, then you might need to look at ways to improve this. Setting up a more comfortable sleeping environment and following a routine will make this easier, although some people might benefit from using an aid, like cannabis.
Cannabis can help some people fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. This is often more effective when consuming cannabis 30 to 60 minutes before heading to bed. If this is a method you choose, then you must select a reputable dispensary that offers professional services. NYC Bud, for example, sells a wide selection of cannabis strains and even offers a delivery service to local areas, like Roosevelt Island, NY.
Connect with Others
Humans are social beings, so the link between mental health and connecting with others should be an obvious one. Having positive relationships in all areas of your life, from family and friends to work colleagues, can make you feel happier and more content. This might be due to the involvement of working with other people to accomplish a shared goal.
Socializing and spending time with other people can provide you with a sense of belonging and reduce loneliness and stress. Friendships and other relationships do this by offering emotional support and sharing experiences; this can assist in emotion regulation and coping mechanisms.
With so much importance on supporting mental health, it is essential to put in the time and work towards your goals. Using the three methods in this post can assist you in doing this.