Life is all about ups and downs. The only thing that is consistent is change, and how we handle all those changes from happiness, anger, sadness, anxiety, etc, is the key to our mental health. The Canadian Mental Health Association explains, “Good mental health isn’t about avoiding problems or trying to achieve a ‘perfect’ life. It’s about living well and feeling capable despite challenges.”

Sometimes we get caught up in the everyday stresses and struggles of everyday life that it becomes our sole focus. I think what’s important to realize and understand is that yes, those struggles and stresses are real and are happening – it’s an evitable part of life – but it’s how we handle them that will benefit our mental health and ultimately our well-being.

Here are a few tips for good mental health:

#1: LEARN TO RECOGNIZE YOUR EMOTIONS AND IDENTIFY THEM WHILE THEY’RE HAPPENING

When something bad happens and you experience a sudden emotional spike, one thing that might help is to immediately name that emotion you’re feeling. It puts it into perspective and may help provide that much needed moment to collect yourself before reacting.

#2: MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF ON A DAILY BASIS

It’s really important to take time out during the day to take care of your own mental well-being. Put aside some quiet time during the day to think or meditate or find a quiet and calming activity to help you gain some peace of mind. Try to make it part of your daily routine.

#3: JOURNAL

Journaling is a great way to get your thoughts down into something tangible and help you work through everything going on in your mind.

#4: GET ENOUGH SLEEP

I know that when I don’t get enough sleep it definitely affects my mood and thoughts. How much sleep you need depends on your body, but you’ll have a good idea of how much sleep you need by how you feel during the day. Usually, if you feel fairly lethargic and sleepy throughout the day, it may be a sign you need more sleep.

#5: WATCH WHAT YOU EAT

Eating too many unhealthy and fatty foods definitely has an affect on our moods and emotions. It can bog us down and leave us feeling tired and heavy. A good rule of thumb is everything in moderation.

#6: CONNECT

Reach out to friends and family who are great support to you. These are the people who celebrate your successes with you, along with helping you work through any issues you’re dealing with. Having a good group of supportive and loving people around that you can talk to and confide in is a great boost to your mental health.

Here’s to good mental health!

Beverly Lee