Our mental health is a huge factor in our overall well-being and determines how we handle stressful situations in life, relate to others, and make decisions. Additionally, 1 in 5 people in the world lives with a mental illness, according to the World Health Organization.
The good news is there are numerous ways we can take care of our mental health.
Benefits of Having Good Mental Health
Even when we put in just a small amount of effort toward improving our mental health, we can reap the benefits throughout our day-to-day lives. This includes experiencing:
- Improvement in our mood
- Reduced levels of anxiety
- Ability to connect more deeply with others
- Improved self-esteem
The above are just a few examples of how our mental health can have positive effects on how we view ourselves, how we feel, and how we relate to others.
Here Are 6 Ways To Improve Your Mental Health
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder, occurs when individuals have difficulty controlling their drinking. It can involve binge drinking (drinking excessive amounts in a short period of time), drinking even when it negatively impacts your health, or experiencing withdrawal symptoms when going a short period of time without drinking.
Alcoholism can create significant issues in your life and is a serious concern that needs professional treatment.
1. Get Your Rest
Sleep is extremely important when it comes to feeling good, thinking clearly, and having a positive outlook. Most adults should aim for at least 7 hours of sleep per night, but the exact amount of time that feels like enough will vary from person to person.
If you’re having trouble getting enough sleep, try avoiding caffeine for at least 6 hours before you go to bed. You can also try going to sleep and waking up around the same time each day – that includes weekends and days you do not work.
But sleep isn’t the only type of rest that’s important for living a healthy life and having improved mental health. The amount of rest we give ourselves throughout each day also matters when it comes to having better mental health. Make sure to take breaks during your work day, even if only for 5 minutes at a time. And when you do take a break, remember that scrolling social media accounts, the news, or texting with friends is not actual rest.
Some tips for getting true rest during the day include putting electronics away and finding a quiet, relaxing place to sit without distractions.
2. Move Your Body
While some people might consider moving their body exercise, it doesn’t have to be. Physical health can involve simply going for a gentle walk out in the fresh air and sunshine, including on your lunch break or after dinner. If you prefer to get your heart rate up, running, swimming, and power yoga are all great forms of cardio (even if only for just a few minutes).
But if you prefer something more relaxed for your mental and physical health, riding a bike is a great option, or dancing to your favorite song. Both of these are easy to incorporate into your self care daily routine.
The important part is that you move your body each and every day in ways that feel good to you. If you aren’t sure what types of physical activities you enjoy, try a variety of different things to get started. Doing so will help to improve your mood and diminish stress levels.
3. Do Things That Bring You Joy
What small things make you happy during the day? Maybe those happy, healthy habits include buying a cup of coffee, or taking a particular route to work, or texting a friend first thing in the morning. Try making a list of things that bring you joy and then incorporate them into each day as much as you can. This way if you’re having a day where you feel low, you can refer to your list.
And remember – these joyful acts do not need to be things such as a big vacation or involving spending money. The purpose is to find excitement and comfort in activities that are regularly accessible.
4. Eat Well
Did you know that eating nutritious foods can improve your overall mental wellness? These include foods such as salmon, berries, bananas, beans, and whole grains. By avoiding processed foods as much as possible, which are filled with chemicals and other harmful ingredients, you’ll give your body and mind the fuel it needs.
5. Practice Deep Breathing
Stress that builds throughout the day can really do a number on the nervous system and your mental wellbeing. To soothe your system, it helps to practice deep breathing, which is exactly what the name implies – taking deep belly breaths while you gently inhale and exhale.
You can do this by finding a comfortable place to sit (or lying down) and spending a few minutes focusing on your breath.
6. Seek Treatment
If you find that practicing the above steps is not enough, treatment is available. By working with a trained mental health professional, you can learn effective tools for coping with stress, helping you to live a healthy, balanced life.
If you or a loved one struggle with mental health disorders or are experiencing a decline in overall mental health, professional help is available.
Drug Rehab Treatment For Your Mental Health
Some individuals who are struggling with their mental health also abuse drugs or alcohol. But there is help for drug addiction. Our team at Sunshine Rehab is here to support you in your mental health concerns, providing compassionate care that gets to the root of your mental health issues.
Our drug rehab programs cover dual diagnosis treatment and include the following therapies:
Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety often feels like excessive nervousness and a sense of impending danger or panic. You might feel weak, tired, tense, depressed, and have difficulty sleeping. Our anxiety therapy can help you identify your triggers and teach you how to cope.
Depression Therapy
Depression can leave you feeling overwhelmed, tired, unhappy, guilty, and worthless, and cause you to avoid socializing with friends, and/or have suicidal thoughts. It also makes it very difficult to incorporate any positive thinking into your life. Our depression therapy experts are available to help get you back on track and find joy in your life again.
PTSD Therapy
PTSD also known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a set of reactions that can occur after someone has experienced a traumatic event. With PTSD therapy, you can receive evidence-based treatment that is tailored to your needs and experiences.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma Therapy can address the underlying causes of trauma and help to rebuild your sense of self-worth so that you can move forward with your life.
Signs of a Mental Health Disorder
Our medical experts at Sunshine Rehab will conduct a thorough medical assessment and health history to determine which type of mental health therapy is the best fit for you and if any mental health conditions exist. The following are some signs and symptoms of a potential mental health disorder:
- Excessive fears and worries
- Avoiding friends
- Depression that doesn’t seem to improve
- Experiencing damaged relationships
- Having suicidal thoughts
- Experiencing dramatic changes in eating and/or sleeping
- Hallucinations
- Poor hygiene
- Changes in physical appearance
- Substance use
Get the Mental Health Treatment You Deserve with Sunshine Rehab
Our team at Sunshine Rehab is here to help you improve your mental health and get your life back. Each of our therapies and programs provides patients with a unique and individualized approach to care for both alcohol addiction and substance abuse, as well as co-occurring disorders.
Contact us today to begin the treatment process. Our team is also available to answer questions related to your health insurance coverage for our therapies.
