4 Daily Habits to Improve Your Mental Health

​Mental health is something we all deal with, but it can be so difficult to know what it is we need.
 
Everyone’s struggles are different, and it's important to recognize that our needs are different, too. For example, the methods for treating SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) are significantly different from the methods used to treat clinical depression or Generalized Anxiety Disorder

​However, what we can recognize is that there are a few daily habits that can be beneficial for anyone’s emotional well-being, whether they have a mental health diagnosis or not.
 
Here are a few simple things you can do to feel better in your mind and soul. 

Sprinkle Your Day with Gratitude

We’ve all heard the gratitude advice before, but it’s important to recognise that it’s not just a load of hogwash! Scientifically speaking, there have been numerous studies that show a difference in brain chemicals when one focuses on the positives in one's life.
​
There are loads of different ways you can focus on gratitude. Many people choose to start a gratitude journaling practice, where you simply write down three things you’re grateful for each morning or evening. You could also turn this into a dinner table conversation to get the rest of your family involved and feeling more positive.

Exercise Regularly

Working out regularly is good for more than just our physical health. By now, a lot of us have heard people talking about chasing those post-workout endorphins, and this is a completely valid statement.
​
Exercising and getting your heartrate up is a wonderful way to get your brain to release those happy hormones we all crave. It might not feel fun in the moment, but working out can be extremely beneficial for our mental health. Taking better care of yourself and seeing physical improvements in your body is also a great way to boost your confidence and feel better mentally. 

Maintain a Balanced Diet

Another happy hormone you might have heard of is called serotonin, and what’s interesting is that over 90% of it is produced in your gut.
​
This means exactly what you think it does – the foods you choose to put into your body can have a direct and very real impact on the way you feel emotionally. And no, this doesn’t mean that a cheeseburger is going to make you happy! In fact, what it means is that the bigger the variety of healthy plants, proteins, and other nutrients in your diet, the better you’ll feel. 

Limit Screen Time

Screens have all but taken over our lives, and this is not always necessarily a good thing. While social media can have a positive impact, and watching movies with loved ones is a great way to relax, overdoing it on the screen time can have a really negative effect on our mental health.
​
Making an effort to spend more time off-screen is important. Try to schedule offline hours, or create a household rule for phones to be put away after work so that dinner can be enjoyed together as a family. Removing the distraction can help increase mindfulness and make you more present for moments that matter.