Mental health and achieving mental wellness is a silent epidemic. Depression, anxiety, and other such disorders reduce the quality of life for so many individuals. This January, the New Horizon Counseling Center focuses on mental health to increase recognition and promote care.
Mental health is how you feel emotionally and psychologically and think, behave, and relate to others. If you or someone close to you is struggling with psychological difficulties such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse, then New Horizon Counseling Center can help. Their New York psychologists are prepared to speak with you about these and any other mental health problems you or your loved one may be dealing with.
Tips for Mental Wellness
Stress affects everyone in different ways and can be a leading contributor to this silent epidemic. Here are some tips for better mental health:
- Sleep well
Sleep helps to replenish the body and mind. It also assists in maintaining cognitive skills, memory, and learning. It also helps reduce fatigue and depression. Sleep deprivation interferes with the healthy functioning of the brain.
- Live a healthy life
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle promotes mental well-being, personal growth and development, and overall health. Our bodies are made up of approximately 75% water and many essential nutrients, such as magnesium, calcium, thiamine, and vitamin C, found in higher concentrations in whole foods versus refined or processed foods.
Avoid drugs, alcohol, and caffeine. A balanced diet is the best choice for good nutrition and reducing the risk of mental health problems. Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of depression and anxiety.
- Work on your social connection
It is very important to work on your social connection. Social support provides a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaning. The presence of friends and family creates feelings of love and care. It also reduces stress, increases self-esteem, and boosts our immune system. Social connection can reduce your blood pressure hence reducing your risk of hypertension.
- Develop a positive attitude toward life
A positive attitude is an important part of mental wellness. You can achieve this by living in the present, understanding everyone has problems, forgiving yourself and others, and setting goals. Living in the present reduces anxiety about the past and future. It also promotes happiness, optimism, and hope. Acknowledging problems reduces stress and anxiety.
The priority becomes useful problem-solving instead of pointless worry. Forgiving yourself is necessary to have self-acceptance and self-esteem. Instead of beating yourself up, you can learn from your mistakes and move on positively. Setting goals can help you accomplish what is important while working towards your larger life goals.
- Exercise more
Exercise is a helpful strategy for dealing with depression and anxiety. It improves sleep quality, mood, and overall well-being. It strengthens the cardiovascular system, protects against chronic disease, reduces anxiety and depression symptoms, increases self-confidence and self-esteem, and can relieve pain associated with many chronic illnesses.
Regular physical activity provides the body with cognitive benefits such as memory enhancement and improved learning skills.
Conclusion
Mental wellness is more than just getting help for a mental health problem. It is about making changes to improve your quality of life. New Horizon Counseling Center can provide you or a family member with psychological counseling to help you get the help and support you need to move forward with your life. They are a full-service mental health center with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors available for consultations or evaluation.
