How to look after your mental health

A lot of the conversation around mental health focuses on mental illness, but mental wellbeing doesn’t just mean the absence of symptoms. Here are some practical, evidence-based ways to foster mental wellbeing. "Mental wellbeing is the sense of being comfortable with who we are and what we are and where we sit in the world," says Chris O’Sullivan from the Mental Health Foundation in the UK. While the term "mental health" usually conjures thoughts of mental ill-health, like depression, anxiety and addiction, researchers like O’Sullivan say it’s important to think about mental wellbeing as more than just having or not having symptoms. Instead, it can be helpful to think about mental health as a spectrum, on which you’re position is likely to fluctuate throughout life. Mounting evidence suggests positive mental wellbeing is linked to our physical health and the connections we build with others. Here are some practical, everyday things to keep in mind for your mental wellbeing. Note: If you’re in the thick of a severe mental illness, these tips might not be useful for you. Read more: Instant gratification and the pursuit of perfection: Why our brains love Instagram Your mind is attached to a body. Movement has been shown to release chemicals in our brains that make us feel good. It can help you sleep better, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, improve memory and cognition, and even potentially mean you’ll have a better chance at experiencing positive events throughout the day. "There’s very strong evidence for the role of exercise in both prevention and treatment of mild and moderate depression and anxiety," O’Sullivan told DW. "So doing some exercise, even though when you’re in the pits of depression it’s the thing you’ll least likely feel like doing, can help." Although technically "being active" doesn’t just […]

Click here to view full article