With clinical depression, anxiety and other disorders on the rise across the world, International Mental Health Awareness Month, is marked in May—geared towards eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness and extending support to people.

The Mayo Clinic, an American-based medical practice and research organisation, defines mental illness or mental health disorder as a wide range of mental health conditions—disorders that affect one’s mood, thinking, and behaviour.

There are several factors that contribute to poor mental health, such as stress and our social and structural environment. Having good mental health is an important part of our well-being. Start by employing these simple steps and watch your mental health improve significantly.

Rest

For many people, rest is generally associated with sleep, but this is not the true definition of rest. Rest can be defined as a pause from work or movement to allow the mind and body to relax and revive.

Rest is very important in promoting good mental health as it allows individuals to rejuvenate and recharge their physical, emotional, and spiritual batteries.

Taking small breaks daily to rest not only allows you to function effectively but also improves your overall well-being.

Exercise

Regular physical activity is known to help with weight loss and reduce the risk of certain lifestyle diseases, but did you know that exercise also helps to improve mental health?

Yes, exercise can significantly improve your mood after a stressful day. According to the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit American academic medical center focused on integrated health care, education, and research, physical activity stimulates many brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed and improve your self-esteem.

Diet

The type of food we consume also contributes to our overall mental well-being. A nutrient-rich diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, nuts and protein can help improve your mental health.

There is no doubt that eating well can allow your to feel better about yourself.

According to a September 2022 article from the Harvard Medical School titled ‘Nutritional Psychiatry: Your brain on food‘, eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress( free radicals produced when the body uses oxygen, which can damage cells).

Manage stress

Finding ways to cope with or manage stress is a key step in promoting good mental health.

Here are a few more tips.

• Get enough sleep
• Limit social media time
• Connect with family and friends
• Do something that makes you feel happy
• Keep a daily routine and stick with it
• Seek help if you feel that you are not coping well with stress

Embrace positivity

As the popular saying goes, “A positive day begins with a positive mindset,” embracing the blessings in our lives is one of the best ways to care for our mental health.

This includes being grateful for family and friends, having a healthy body and being blessed with the gift of life. Practising gratitude can also help reduce stress and anxiety, ultimately impacting your mood and mental well-being.