WU News: What is Mental Health & 4 Ways to Improve Yours Today

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What is Mental Health & 4 Ways to Improve Yours Today

Mental health refers to a person's overall psychological and emotional well-being. It includes our ability to manage our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a way that promotes positive functioning and allows us to cope with life's challenges. Good mental health also involves having healthy relationships with others, being able to enjoy life and find pleasure in activities, and having a sense of purpose or meaning in life.

Encompassing a wide range of conditions and experiences, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and substance use disorders, mental health conditions can vary in severity, duration, and impact on a person's life, and may require different types of treatment, such as therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

How does mental health impact our quality of life?

When someone is struggling with a mental health condition, it can affect their ability to function in many areas of their life, including:

1. Work: Mental health challenges can impact a person's ability to concentrate, make decisions, and perform their job duties effectively.
2. Relationships: Mental health issues can make it difficult for individuals to maintain healthy relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners.
3. Physical health: Mental health conditions can impact physical health and contribute to chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
4. Activities of daily living: Mental health challenges can make it difficult to complete basic daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and getting dressed.
5. Leisure activities: People struggling with mental health issues may lose interest in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed.
6. Substance use: Mental health conditions can increase the risk of substance abuse and addiction

In general, taking care of your physical health can have a positive impact on your mental health, and vice versa. Some things you can do to improve your physical health include:

• Eating a balanced and nutritious diet
• Exercising regularly
• Getting enough sleep
• Limiting alcohol and caffeine intake
• Avoiding smoking and other forms of tobacco use

Anxiety is one of the leading mental health issues affecting more than 15 million Americans. To manage anxiety, there are a few techniques you can try:

• Deep breathing exercises
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Mindfulness meditation
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional

It's important to remember that seeking professional help from a doctor or therapist can be very beneficial. They can offer personalized advice and treatment options based on your specific needs and circumstances.

Let’s share some natural ways you can boost your mental well-being and mental health.

Meditation is one of the most advised natural methods to engage in.

Meditation has been shown to have many benefits for mental health. Here are some ways it can help:

1. Reduce stress and anxiety by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "rest and digest" response. This can help reduce feelings of tension and promote relaxation.
2. Improve mood by increasing levels of feel-good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression.
3. Enhance self-awareness. Meditation can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, allowing them to better understand and manage their mental health.
4. Increase resilience with regular meditation. Individuals develop greater resilience to stress and adversity by cultivating a sense of calm and equanimity.
5. Improve the quality of your sleep by promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
6. Reducing symptoms of PTSD: Meditation has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by helping individuals process traumatic experiences and reducing the intensity of associated emotions.

It is important to note that meditation should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health treatment, but can be used as a complement to other forms of treatment.

Go grab a smoothie with your bestie or a bike ride with your bud!

Socializing and engaging in fun activities with friends can have a positive impact on mental health. Here are some ways in which socializing helps by:

1. Reducing stress: Spending time with friends and engaging in enjoyable activities can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation.
2. Boosting mood: Socializing and having fun with friends can boost mood by increasing levels of feel-good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
3. Providing a support system: Friends can provide emotional support during difficult times and help individuals cope with stress and challenges.
4. Promoting a sense of belonging: Being part of a social group can help individuals feel a sense of belonging and connectedness, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
5. Improving self-esteem: Positive interactions with friends can help individuals feel valued and appreciated, which can boost self-esteem and confidence.
6. Encouraging healthy behaviors: Spending time with friends can encourage individuals to engage in healthy behaviors, such as exercise and healthy eating, which can have a positive impact on mental health.

Socializing and having fun with friends can be an important aspect of maintaining good mental health. It is important to prioritize social connections and make time for enjoyable activities with friends, especially during times of stress or difficulty.

Get out in nature and hug a tree!

Being out in nature not only feels good, it is proven to have many benefits. Here are some ways in which nature can improve mental health:

1. Reducing stress: Being in nature can help reduce stress levels by promoting relaxation and reducing feelings of tension and anxiety.
2. Boosting mood: Nature has a calming and soothing effect on the mind, which can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
3. Enhancing cognitive function: Exposure to nature has been shown to improve cognitive function, including attention, working memory, and problem-solving skills.
4. Promoting physical activity: Being out in nature can encourage individuals to engage in physical activity, which can have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress and improving mood.
5. Improving sleep: Exposure to natural light and fresh air can help regulate sleep-wake cycles and improve sleep quality, which can have a positive impact on mental health.
6. Providing a sense of awe and wonder: Nature can inspire feelings of awe and wonder, which can promote a sense of well-being and connectedness.

Spending time in nature can be an important aspect of maintaining good mental health. It is important to prioritize time in nature, even if it is just a short walk in a nearby park, sacred space or green space, to reap the many benefits it has to offer.

Pass the singing bowl please.

Sound wellness can be a helpful tool for improving mental health. Sound therapy, which involves using sound waves to promote relaxation and reduce stress, has been shown to have many benefits for mental health. Here are some ways in which sound wellness can help:

1. Reducing stress: Sound therapy can help reduce stress levels by promoting relaxation and reducing feelings of tension and anxiety.
2. Improving mood: Sound therapy can have a positive impact on mood by promoting feelings of calm and well-being.
3. Enhancing self-awareness: Sound therapy can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, allowing them to better understand and manage their mental health.
4. Promoting a sense of well-being: Sound therapy can promote a sense of well-being by reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
5. Reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety: Sound therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety by promoting relaxation and reducing feelings of tension and worry.
6. Improving sleep: Sound therapy can help improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing stress, which can help alleviate symptoms of insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Sound wellness can be a helpful tool for managing mental health and improving overall well-being. It is important to note that sound therapy should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health treatment, but can be used as a complement to other forms of treatment.

It is important to prioritize mental health and seek support if you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges. Mental health treatment and support can help individuals improve their well-being, manage symptoms, and lead fulfilling lives.

How will you use this information to improve your mental wellness?

Can you pick one item off of each of these lists and gift yourself more wellness today?

Take a notebook and start a journal to encourage yourself and anchor a dedicated path to well-being.

In the morning create your intention with some commitments. Plan wellness evoking activities throughout the day within intentional increments:

For example: Today I will do mindful breathing for my mental wellness for 1 minute 3 times today.

Here are some prompts:

Today I will do____________ for my mental wellness for 1 minute ____ times today.

Today I will do____________ for my mental wellness for 5 minutes____ times today.

Today I will do _____________for my mental wellness for 10 minutes or more ____ times today.

When the day is over put a heart around the items you managed to accomplish and put a star next to the one that you loved the most.

Start building a master list of your go-to activities for your best mental health.

Create a ritual for yourself that turns into a habit and ultimately becomes your lifestyle for your happiest, healthiest, healed life!

Resources for your self-care:

Check out?The Wellness Universe Guide to Complete Self-Care, #1 Best Selling book series for Stress Relief, Happiness, Achieving Anything and Goddesses.

Live and on-demand classes, workshops, programs and courses found in our?Wellness for All Programming. Free to enroll supported via donation.

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The Wellness Universe is proud to partner with?Soccerex?to promote well-being and empower conversations and solutions in the global soccer industry. This collaboration brings together two industry leaders who share a common vision of a more balanced and sustainable future for the sport.

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