Four Important Steps to Improve Your Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and here at Family Care Center, our team wants to help you learn more about how you can improve your mental health.
While severe mental illness is a real issue, millions of people live each day with mild to moderate levels of mental health conditions or illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, coping with traumatic experiences, and chronic pain or illnesses.
Here are four important steps you can take to improve your mental health:
- Be Aware of Your Stress Levels
Stress is a common response to stressors such as financial issues, work, family, and parenting. One of the first steps towards building your awareness of your own mental wellness is to look at your stress levels. Ask yourself:
- Do you have time to relax and recharge each week?
- How do you care for your physical body? Are you eating well and getting enough sleep?
- Are there at least one or two areas of your life that are deeply meaningful and bring happiness to you?
If you answered ‘no’ to the above questions, it might be a good time to consider seeking extra support.
- Seek Professional Help
The Family Care Center has many talented behavioral health professionals ready to support your mental wellness. Depending on your needs, you may receive care from one or more of the following professionals:
- Psychiatrist providers
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Counselors
- Marriage and Family therapists
- TMS care
Types of Professional Help for Mental Wellness
Talk therapy is provided by psychologists, social workers, counselors, and marriage and family therapists, while psychiatric providers handle medication needs. Other professional supporters and staff provide TMS services.
- Educate Yourself
Expanding your knowledge and increasing comfort in talking about mental health is a fantastic way to improve your mental health. Consider receiving training in Mental Health First Aid, which covers a range of topics and can be helpful to individuals and agencies in understanding mental health conditions and how to talk about mental health.
- Try One New Thing
If you’re not ready to seek out extra support, you can still create change on your own. Here are some suggestions:
- Start a daily gratitude practice by writing down three things you’re grateful for now.
- Incorporate meditation or prayer into your daily routine. This can be done each morning or at a time that works for you.
- Start doing one activity a week that helps you relax and recharge, such as reading a book, taking a leisurely bath, playing with your children, or walking your dog.
- Seek out nature on a weekly basis for at least 15 minutes. Take a walk, sit in a park, or do some cloud watching – whatever feels easiest to start, then increase to one or more days a week.
You can improve your mental health and overall well-being by taking these steps. Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, and it’s never too late to start.
Family Care Center’s clinicians include psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed therapists ready to support you. We offer both in-person and telehealth appointments, so you get the care you need in the format that serves you best. We also accept most insurance plans, allowing you to get the most from your personalized care plan.
Sources:
https://mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
https://mhanational.org/31-tips-boost-your-mental-health