How to Improve your Mental Health in 2021

Although mental health is typically given less attention than physical health, it is equally as important to take care of. Our mental health determines the feelings we have, the relationships we form, the choices we make, and the way we perceive the world around us. Good mental health is, by all means, the elixir of life, as individuals with a positive mindset live an average of 7.6 years longer than those with a negative mindset. The pandemic’s stay-at-home orders and social distancing regulations have caused a noticeable increase in the number of individuals with mental health struggles. With the beginning of the new year, it is time to fix the mark that 2020 has left on us all by improving our mental health.

Although depression is different for all those who suffer from it, each individual should know that they are stronger than what is causing them pain and that there are better days to come. With there being so many different reasons as to why some people may become depressed, it is important to identify the source of the depression, whether it be due to stress, toxic relationships, another form of conflict or chemical imbalance.

The first of several steps to recovering from depression is identifying the source. You should then determine the severity of the depression and gauge how long you feel you have been suffering from it. If you think that you have been feeling depressed for a long period of time and feel as though these feelings are affecting how you function day-to-day, it is advised that you seek professional help. On the other hand, if you believe that your symptoms are mild and that you are capable of taking care of your depression on your own, there are many things that you can do to improve your mood such as, reading positive daily affirmations, meditating, exercising, eating healthy, reaching out to your friends, and finding activities to help remedy any negative feelings you may have. Both depression and anxiety take a toll on your mind and body which can lead to many long-term health problems in the future if not taken care of.

When it comes to anxiety, the key to overcoming it is also identifying the source. Some may experience anxiety when talking to people or taking tests, while others become anxious over other stressful situations. Whatever the source may be, it is best to determine the trigger as well as how your anxiety affects you. Manageable anxiety can be improved with the help of breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, exercise, or guided imagery. Guided imagery may be extremely effective for those with anxiety, as it allows for the anxious individual to either visualize overcoming the stressor or visualize something that will provide them with comfort. On another note, if the anxiety has been severe for quite some time and none of the remedies listed above have been working for you, it is a good idea to seek help from a school counselor like Mr. Delrisco, your guidance counselor or a psychological professional. These individuals will be able to tailor personalized methods to help you cope with your anxiety.

During crazy times like these, we have all become victims of isolation at some point. There is only one remedy to isolation and that is reaching out to those around you. It is important to reach out to your friends and family because, chances are, they also need someone to talk to. This quarantine and time at home would be extremely difficult without technology providing us with the chance to interact virtually with friends and family. With such an easy means of communication available for our use, there are no excuses as to why you should not reach out. Additionally, for those who may not have others to reach out to, there are many virtual groups that you can join with individuals that have similar interests. Some examples of virtual groups you can join are virtual book clubs, online exercise classes, virtual cooking classes, virtual discussion groups, or if you cannot find one you like, make your own!

If you are not suffering from one of these mental health conditions, there are still ways that you can maintain or improve your mental health. A healthy mind is bred from positivity, and each day you should say something positive about yourself and the things that you are grateful for. It is also important to understand how to be present in the moment. Good mental health does not just come from positivity and mindfulness, but also from eating healthy and exercising daily. Many complain that they do not have time to sleep or to take breaks, but these problems can easily be resolved through time management and planning.

As human beings, communicating and creating healthy relationships with those around us are incredibly important. Opening up to those around you will provide a sense of comfort and give you the chance to be the best version of yourself. This is a reminder to take care of yourself this year! Make 2021 about you and your mental health!

Additional Resources:

Meditation

Apps: UCLA Mindful, Smiling mind, Insight Timer, Headspace (Spotify offers some free meditations, Dare-Break Free From Anxiety, Calm, Shine, Breathwrk, Antistress Anxiety Relief Game, Anxiety Relief Hypnosis

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