World Mental Health Day is recognised internationally as a day to raise awareness for mental health conditions and to break down the social stigma which is attached to them. In order to raise awareness for World Mental Health Day, the team at Cardinal Clinic have summarised five ways to keep your mental health in check. Mental health affects many aspects of our everyday life from how we think and feel to the choices we make. Ensuring we are looking after our mental health is more important now than ever as we recover from the mental effects of COVID-19 and as the colder months approach us.
1. Move your body
Moving our body is important for mental health whether that is dancing, walking or going to the gym. Doctors recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day. Exercising also releases endorphins which are chemicals your body produces during pleasurable activities. Endorphins help reduce stress and improve your overall wellbeing.
2. Look towards the future
Looking into the future by setting goals and being grateful is an important habit to get into and can have many benefits on your mental health. By writing down our goals for the future, it helps relieve stress by narrowing your focus in everyday life. By making plans for things we aspire to achieve, it increases our sense of hope. It is also very easy to get swept up in the busyness of everyday life and forget to appreciate what we have in the present moment. Taking a couple of minutes out of the day for a moment of mindfulness to practice gratitude and make a list of things you are grateful for in the present moment can also positively influence your mental health and lead towards a brighter future.
3. Get outside
It is important to get some fresh air daily to ensure we are looking after our mental health the best we can. Fresh air allows us to regain some clarity when our heads are sometimes feeling overwhelmed. It has also been found that going outside lowers your blood pressure and reduces stress.
4. Eat healthy and stay hydrated
Eating healthy, regularly and ensuring you stay hydrated throughout the day is important for your overall wellbeing, not just your mental health. Whilst they are good to have now and then, sugary snacks can give us a temporary sense of comfort, but they can later leave us feeling exhausted. Furthermore, if your blood sugar drops, you might feel tired and depressed. By eating regularly and choosing foods that release energy slowly help keep your sugar levels steady. It is also recommended to drink between 6 to 8 cups of fluid a day to stay hydrated.
5. Make sleep a priority
It is important to make sure we get enough sleep every night otherwise it’s very easy for us to become depressed and irritable. Research states that adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night. If you find yourself feeling unproductive or easily irritated throughout the day, you should reflect on whether you are getting enough sleep to function to your best ability.
We hope these tips help you keep your mental health in check. If you feel like you need professional help, we are a private mental health hospital in Windsor with nurses on hand 24 hours a day who provide expert clinical treatment. Research has found that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England and we are here to ensure you do not have to face it alone. For more information visit https://cardinalclinic.co.uk/ or call 01753 869755 for help and advice.
