Mental health tips are as common as family arguments during the holidays. The problem is knowing which tips are beneficial (and you know, actually evidence-based). Here are five mental health tips that are backed by facts.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is a common area in which people pull from when they’re falling behind in other areas of life. While pushing the snooze button for 15 extra minutes probably isn’t doing any good, getting an adequate amount of sleep each night is the quickest way to a clean bill of health.
There’s a reason why you feel like a zombie the day after an all-nighter. According to Harvard Health Publishing, poor sleep disrupts brain function, ultimately impairing one’s thinking, emotional regulation, and overall well being. Depression and insomnia are also linked as many patients with depression have insomnia. People struggle with sleep for many reasons, and finding solutions can help you feel more alert—all the way to staving off depression.
Do Cardio for Mental (and Physical) Health
Countless people do cardio to lose weight, stay fit, and promote their heart health, but cardio isn’t only advantageous for people who seek six-pack abs—it’s also crucial for mental health.
Exercise consisting of jogging, swimming, running, biking, dancing, and other movements reduces anxiety and depression, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Exercise also improves mental health by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. Other health benefits include reduced cholesterol and improved cardiovascular fitness.
Manage Your Stress
Manage your stress isn’t only something your friends say to you when you’re being sassy, it’s practical advice that can have a positive effect on your mental health. Stress can lead to low energy, headaches, low self-esteem, not being able to relax, depression, anxiety, and a world of other problems.
That’s why, although vague advice, managing your stress and finding the root of it can lead to better mental health. Common areas of stress include money, work, and health care. With the rise of premiums and many people not being able to afford their health insurance, we encourage you to review Agile health insurance quotes to find the right plan and policy provider. Finding a lower-priced and better fit plan for your wants and needs can ensure you get quality health care, which could reduce stress as you’re saving money and have peace of mind with your health insurance.
Take Care of Your Relationships
It’s important to have a good support system. In fact, healthy and strong relationships can lead to a longer life. That’s reason enough to repair damaged relationships and spend less time alone. People who are socially connected with friends and family tend to be happier and healthier. It’s also nice knowing you have people there to help you tackle life’s problems and vice versa.
Therapy Is for Anyone Seeking Help
Therapy and group therapy isn’t just a method of healing that’s dramatized on television shows. Therapy has the ability to help others cope with whatever they’re dealing with, as well as tackle stress, anxiety, and worry. Even if you have a good support system, talking to a professional allows you to get help from someone who’s highly trained and knows how to diagnose and treat mental health disorders.
There are many myths that surround mental health. These tips are backed by real evidence and can make a difference. The key is finding the root of the problem and incorporating techniques and information that actually work. You should also consult a medical professional if you need help.
