Just in the last ten years or so, we’ve heard the term “mental health” get thrown around a lot. Maybe you’ve really taken it to heart, and maybe you’ve outright dismissed the thought with a big “WHATEVER.” After all, mental health can’t be as important as our physical health. Our bodies literally carry us through the day, right?
Mental health is just as important as physical health. In fact, poor mental health will slowly break down our physical bodies too, so some would argue it’s even MORE important. The point is, it’s a big deal. And, too many of us have carried on with our lives without really learning what it means to have, cultivate, and maintain good mental health.
So, today, we’re discussing the benefits of mental health. We’ll list all the reasons it’s in your best interest to live a life full of self-care, mindfulness, and rest. Here are the benefits of a healthy mind and soul:
What are the Benefits of Good Mental Health?
What is Good Mental Health?
Good mental health doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with mental illness or facing difficult times. Though having a good mental health status is important when you face trials, it’s not something that you should pay attention to only when tragedy strikes. No way!
Good mental health is a state of well-being where you’re content with yourself and your life. It’s this mode where your mental clarity and peace allow you to make the most out of your days. Good mental health breeds productivity, quality sleep, and physical fitness. So, essentially, a good mental state is the cornerstone of our overall health. This is why it’s important to take mental health days when needed!
Adequate Social Connection
Someone with good mental health maintains a vibrant and genuine social life. For some, this might mean going out regularly, and for others, this is visiting friends and family on a regular basis. The point is, real in-person connection can help with self-esteem, mood swings, anxiety and depression, and even our immune system.
Physically Active Lifestyle
Your physical health and mental health are integrally linked. A good physically active lifestyle will often lead to a better mental health state and vice versa. So, someone with positive well-being lives a pretty active life.
Living an active life doesn’t have to mean working out! It could be walking, playing a sport, gardening, or plenty of other things. Just get moving!
Well Managed Stress
Stress is the ultimate killer of good mental health. Too much stress on our bodies weighs us down mentally and physically. (It can lead to something as serious as diabetes or heart disease!)
Learning to manage stress is a key part of maintaining a healthy outlook and calm mental state. Gabby Bernstein in the Dear Gabby podcast discusses this topic and offers tips in the episode titled “5 Solutions for Stress and Anxiety.” Take a listen to see how stress management is done!
Healthy Diet
Eating well makes you look good AND feel good. Even though keeping a diet is tough, it’s really worth the positive effects on your body and mind! Not only could you drop pounds or build muscle, but you could feel all sorts of cognitive benefits from eating right. Some of them include:
- Less fatigue
- Better focus
- Fewer digestive issues
- More regulated moods
- Fewer headaches
Good Quality Sleep
Many mental health problems can at least be partially alleviated by great-quality sleep. Research shows that people who learn to sleep better get sick less frequently, keep healthier body weights, lower their risk of health problems, reduce stress, improve their mood, stay more focused, and maintain better relationships.
Even depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, and ASD can be relieved through great-quality sleep. This is because each stage of sleep helps the brain in a different way. When you’re sleeping well, all parts of the brain can function better since they’re recharged and rejuvenated daily. Good sleep is vital to good mental health!
Strong Sense of Purpose
It’s true that people with positive mental well-being who are content with their lives also have a deep sense of purpose. They’re driven towards a goal or mission. This fills them with good vibes and gratitude!
Studies have found that when people have a strong sense of purpose, they have better brain functioning, better stress management, better sleep, and better overall life choices. They’re more likely to work out, eat right, and get the right preventive care. So, dream on and manifest all that you want from this world! It’s good for you.
Tips for Maintaining Good Mental Health
Go see people IRL.
Texting. Commenting on social media posts. Sliding into the DMs . . . none of this contributes to a good social life. Instead, you need to turn off the phone, get out of the house, and see people in person! Research shows us that in-person communication enhances our quality of life, but online communication does not.
So, unplug and get out there. And, if you want to COMPLETELY go off the grid, we respect that. It can be a really good mental health choice for some people! Ready, Set, Spill’s episode titled, “Staying Connected and Maintaining a Confident Mindset” goes in-depth on this topic and gives you tips and tricks to try out an offline lifestyle for yourself!
We all know that most of social media is fake, so get out of your comfort zone and go see the real world. Have a get-together with family members. Go clubbing with friends. Or, have a grown-up sleepover. Make meaningful connections in person to improve your confidence and mental health!
Get moving.
Regular exercise can help you feel better in every way, including your mental health. Whether it’s something organized like pilates, yoga, weight lifting, or running or something more free-form like walking the dog or going for a swim, getting moving will revive your spirits!
If you’re ready to get in the game, listen to this episode of The Art of Being Well to learn all about the latest fitness trends. And, if you’re ready to start working out and staying fit, listen to this episode of The Papaya Podcast featuring plus-size fitness expert Sarah Taylor! They’re both great listeners.
Practice relaxation with yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.
Meditation, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques can put you more in tune with your thoughts and feelings while keeping you grounded in the present moment. Through mindful practices like this, you can learn to overcome hardship, move past shame, and achieve a greater sense of peace and well-being.
Mind. Body. No Soul. is a podcast hosted by a unique spiritual advisor, Jackie Schimmel, who leads her listeners in regular guided meditations. Dear Gabby is another podcast that includes meditations in some of their episodes! So, if you want to learn to look within, definitely tune in to these shows regularly.
Maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
We’ve discussed how getting better sleep can really impact your mental health. Consider maintaining a consistent sleeping schedule where you fall asleep and wake up at the same time every day.
Additionally, get rid of all electronic devices from the bedroom and avoid big meals and caffeine right before bed. (Bonus tip: Exercise will help with sleep too!) Dr. Will Cole of the Art of Being Well has even more deep sleep tips here!
Actually make time for your hobbies.
Your hobbies are important! They give you a sense of purpose and allow you to decompress after a busy day. Prioritize your hobbies, and learn to say NO to things that get in the way of the things that matter to you and bring you joy. If you’re super busy, start with just a few minutes a day, and slowly rework your routine to include more of your favorite things.
Determine your goals and find a means to express yourself.
Remember, purpose drives your mental and physical health. Take time to make goals and reflect on who you really want to be. Once you do that, make a commitment to be yourself, strive for your dreams, and manifest the best life for yourself! Even if you haven’t reached your goal yet, working toward it will hopefully give you a deep sense of contentment and happiness!
Mental health affects every part of our lives, so it’s important to practice regular self-care.
If you’re reflecting back on the last few months or a few years, and you just haven’t felt whole, it might be time to start investing in your mental health. You can conquer self-care stigma, and create a routine that promotes a positive mindset through exercise, great sleep, human connection, reflection, and purpose.
We hope this post has encouraged you to take control of your mental health, but don’t think you have to do it alone. Follow these mental health podcasts and listen to them regularly to stay on track. Plus, you can visit our blog anytime and find great content about self-improvement. Let’s be better and FEEL better together!
