What is mental health?
To improve your mental health, you first have to understand exactly what that is. One's mental health includes their emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects our moods, behaviors, and even our relationships. Mental health impacts the way we handle stress, make choices, and interact with the people around us. Simply put, proper mental health, which is important in all stages of life, allows you to live your life to its fullest.
The terms mental health and mental illness often get mixed up. We all have mental health and will experience mental health challenges during the duration of our lives. However, not everyone will have a mental illness throughout their life. Your state of mental well-being can change over time, with different stressors and situations, so it is important to take care of your mental health so that you can lower your risk of developing a mental illness and become the best version of yourself possible.
How can I improve my mental health?
Given all the stress of our day-to-day lives, it can be hard to remember to take care of your mental health. Don't worry, you are not alone. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 1 in 5 Canadians will personally experience a mental health challenge in any given year. Additionally, by the age of 40, at least half of Canadians will have or have had a mental illness.
Fortunately, there are many ways to improve your mental health. Talking about your worries and struggles with others allows for you to gain insightful advice and guidance from those you love. It ensures that you aren't bottling up your feelings. Staying active, getting a proper amount of sleep, and nourishing yourself with good food are all things that will keep you in a more positive headspace. Engaging in activities you love is another great way to boost your mental well-being. Another important thing is to remember to treat yourself with kindness, and that it is okay to take breaks when you need them.
31 Acts of Self Care
To encourage and maintain good mental health, challenge yourself to make time for self-care within your daily schedule. Below I have listed out 31 ideas for self-care, one for every day of the month! This can all be done in around half an hour, so they will be easy to incorporate into your current lifestyle, no matter how busy.
Get outside and get into nature.
Take a shower or bath.
Cook (and eat!) a well-balanced and nutritious meal.
Read a book.
Wear something nice.
Journal.
Try out a new hobby.
Take a nap.
Get in a quick workout.
Create a gratitude log.
Do an arts or crafts activity.
Write a letter to a loved one telling them how much you appreciate them.
Doodle.
Drink water.
Listen to some music.
Meditate.
Talk to a friend you haven't seen in a while.
Do some yoga.
Organize your room or study/work area.
List out ten positive affirmations.
Get up early and watch the sunrise.
Bake yourself your favourite treat.
Hug someone.
Do something you loved to do as a child.
Watch a favourite movie or show.
Try out a face mask.
Start a scrapbook.
Create a vision board.
Do a random act of kindness for a stranger.
Do a digital detox.
There you have it. An act of self-care for every day of the next month. I hope you make time to be a little kinder to yourself and to treat your mental well-being with the care that it needs. Your mind and body will thank you.
Written by: Nevadha M
Sources
“How Do Hugs Make You Feel? 11 Benefits of a Proper Deep Hug.” MedicineNet, 3 Dec. 2020, www.medicinenet.com/how_do_hugs_make_you_feel/article.htm.
Jenn, et al. “100 Simple Self Care Ideas When You Need to Reboot.” Healthy Happy Impactful, 27 Dec. 2021, https://healthyhappyimpactful.com/50-simple-self-care-ideas-for-a-bad-day/.