Although it’s important to focus on physical health, it’s equally vital to take time to work on your mental health. Here are some ways to develop a steely mental resolve.
Get moving
Exercise in any form—whether it’s running, cycling or strength training—releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins. The benefits of exercise are endless, but none is more important than this: it causes more neurons to be formed in the hippocampus, which is a key brain region for learning, memory, and mood regulation, according to a sciencedaily.com article.
In addition to creating new brain cells, exercise also helps ward off anxiety and depression. J. Kip Mathews, a doctor and sport/exercise psychologist, explained how exercise helps us to deal with stress in a CNN.com health story: “What appears to be happening is that exercise affords the body an opportunity to practice responding to stress, streamlining the communication between the systems involved in the stress response. The less active we become, the more challenged we are in dealing with stress.”
The art of positivity
Speaking of stress, why worry about things we can’t control? Don’t get me wrong, stress in doses is actually beneficial, as it makes us mentally tougher every time we handle and overcome an adverse situation. However, regularly being stressed out is toxic to our mind, body and health.
Focusing on the positive—and not dwelling on the negative—will go a long way toward handling stress and dealing with it in a productive manner. For those who are more process-oriented, it helps to journal about a situation. This is one form of mindfulness, which helps a person cope with difficult thoughts and emotions, according to a USNews.com health article.
Surrounding yourself with people who provide support and finding a social group with interests similar to your own are also critical to establishing positive emotions and boosting mood.
Get to bed—now
When it comes to optimal mental health, getting a good night’s rest is paramount. Poor sleep plays havoc on the brain in a number of ways. Ever notice you’re a little more irritable, cranky and liable to snap at a moment’s notice during a state of exhaustion? That’s because sleep affects our emotional state, while also regulating our decision-making, memories and our cognitive skills.
So if you’re not getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep a night, power off all electronics, turn off the lights and make sleep a priority—your mental health depends on it.
