5 Easy Ways To Prioritize Your Mental Health
“You can go without food for a couple of weeks. You can go without water for a couple of days. You can go without breathing for a couple of seconds. But there is never a time or duration you can go without thinking” (Dr. Caroline Leaf - Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess).
Our minds are constantly in gear. Processing, analyzing, maneuvering, and reacting to the world around us. Every sensation you have, every input from your senses, is being translated in your mind. All that to say, we never stop thinking. Ever.
But have you ever stopped to think about what you’re thinking about? Have you ever considered why you believe something, why you love someone, or why you hate someone? Have you ever considered that the way you see the world is unique to you? This is called metacognition, and unless you’re really into philosophy, these questions are likely much too deep for your taste. But at the absolute least, it should give you a sense of just how important our minds are in our daily lives, yet we often neglect to pay attention to just how important it is.
Most of us are aware of what we eat. We know how to stay healthy. We know we should exercise and get regular check-ups at the doctor. And as we age, we become keenly aware of each new ache, twinge, or soreness. But what about our mental health?
The reality is that mental health is something most of us would rather not talk about. It’s uncomfortable—something we feel ill-equipped to handle. It’s scary. In fact, The American Psychological Association did a survey in 2019. It discovered that despite our greater awareness of mental health, 86% believe that mental illness continues to carry a certain stigma attached to it, and 33% said that people with mental illnesses scare them.
Yet 1 in 5 Americans suffers from mental illness. Suicide continues to be a leading cause of death in the U.S. Depression is growing among teens. And over half of all adults suffering from mental illness do not receive treatment. We can’t fix what we aren’t willing to talk about. We all have mental health, and considering how much we use our minds every day, it’s not hard to see the importance of keeping them healthy.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. So it’s the perfect time to spend some time focusing on and prioritizing our mental health. I want to give you just five quick things to consider—I promise they will make a difference.
Sleep
We live in a culture that prides itself on being busy. However, it’s not good for your mind. You need a good 7-8 hours of sleep each night despite what you think. And if possible, developing a routine of going to bed and waking up at the same times each day can make a difference as well.
Click Here to Learn More About the Importance of Sleep
Awareness
Emotions are an odd animal. Sometimes we control them. Other times we lose that control. Being aware of ourselves, what’s around us, and how we react is often called mindfulness, and it’s a lost art for many people. But mastering the skill can be a game-changer.
Click Here to Learn More About Emotional Awareness
Movement
Our mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It is inextricably connected to our physical health. You don’t have to be a professional athlete but take a walk, go outside, toss a ball with the kids, and play with the dog. Even just a little exercise has drastic effects on our minds.
Click Here to Learn About the Effects of Walking
Food
Food matters. More than you might realize. Eating processed foods, sugar, and too many carbs can all fog the brain up, making it hard to mentally concentrate and function at a high level. Mom was right. Eat your veggies.
Click Here to Learn More About the Effects of Processed Foods and Sugar on our Bodies
Friends
No matter your personality, you are influenced by the kind of people you hang around. Choose wisely. Your brain will thank you for it.
Click Here to Learn More About Protecting Yourself From Negativity in Relationships
It takes roughly 21 days to lay the groundwork for a new and lasting habit to form. Use Mental Health Awareness Month to build a better and stronger foundation for your mental health.
