By Jennifer VanSkyock, LCSW, LCAC, LISW-S—
MUNCIE, IN—May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this is a great time to focus on ways to improve your mental health through everyday behaviors.
What can we do to improve our mental health?
There are several things that can have a significant impact on how we feel. One area to look at is your physical wellbeing. This means planning to have daily physical activity in your routine. This doesn’t require any special equipment or even highly strenuous activities, but simply walking, dancing, and stretching can help. It can be especially helpful to walk outside as being in nature can help you feel calm and grounded. Another area to look at is your sleep. Ideally, everyone should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to support excellent mental health. We also want to focus on a healthy diet. This includes eating nutritious foods, especially those that are not processed or high in fat or sugar. In addition, we should ensure we maintain appropriate hydration throughout our day by drinking plenty of water.
How can we monitor our thoughts to help our mental health?
We can work our thoughts by using mindfulness activities, meditation, seeking professional help when needed, practicing gratitude, and setting up realistic goals for ourselves. Often, we allow our thoughts to drive our emotions and our behaviors. Shifting this behavior into a more intentional approach can help us feel more peaceful, content, and even more joyful.
How does technology impact our mental health?
Intentionally limiting screen time can improve overall mental health. While technology is a wonderful resource and can provide a great deal of information, it can also create tension, stress, and anxiety. It can disrupt sleep and even impact our relationships. Limiting this exposure provides an opportunity to focus on other activities or behaviors that can have a positive impact on our mental health such as allowing for personal connections. As humans we are a social species and connections are vital to our mental health. Try to put down your screen and look up at the people around you. Talk to others about things you are interested in and get to know what they care about. This personal interaction will likely be much more impactful than scrolling on your phone.
Is there anything fun we can do to impact our mental health?
There are many fun things you can do to improve your mental health such as engaging in a hobby. If you don’t have any hobbies, now is the perfect time to start considering what might be a good fit for you. Think back to your youth, what did you love doing? Our communities have local parks, community centers, arts centers, libraries, churches, and local businesses that offer classes. You could try gardening, photography, dance, or an exercise class. Mental health is health and you have the power to develop routines that will help you to optimize your wellness.
Jennifer VanSkyock, LCSW, LCAC, LISW-S is the Program Manager at IU Health Jay Outpatient Behavioral Health and Ball Addiction Treatment and Recovery Center. For more information on services available call 260.726.1960.
