Caring for Your Mental Health (2024)

Overview

Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is more than the absence of a mental illness—it’s essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.

How can I take care of my mental health?

Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. This can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.

Here are some self-care tips:

  • Get regular exercise.Just 30 minutes of walking every day can boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time.
  • Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated.A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Pay attention to your intake of caffeine and alcohol and how they affect your mood and well-being—for some, decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption can be helpful.
  • Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
  • Try a relaxing activity.Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy, such as listening to music, reading, spending time in nature, and engaging in low-stress hobbies.
  • Set goals and priorities.Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to appreciate what you have accomplished at the end of the day.
  • Practice gratitude.Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down or replay them in your mind.
  • Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
  • Stay connected.Reach out to friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.

Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you.

Learn more abouthealthy practices for your mind and body.

When should I seek professional help?

Seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted 2 weeks or more, such as:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
  • Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning because of mood
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable
  • Inability to complete usual tasks and activities
  • Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness

How can I find help?

If you have concerns about your mental health, talk to a primary care provider. They can refer you to a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or clinical social worker, who can help you figure out the next steps. Findtips for talking with a health care provider about your mental health.

You can learn more about getting help on the NIMH website. You can also learn about finding support and locating mental health services in your area on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website.

If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. This service is confidential, free, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In life-threatening situations, call911.

Suicide is preventable—learn about warning signs of suicide and action steps for helping someone in emotional distress.

Featured videos

GREAT: Helpful Practices to Manage Stress and Anxiety:Learn about helpful practices to manage stress and anxiety. GREAT was developed by Dr. Krystal Lewis, a licensed clinical psychologist at NIMH.

Getting to Know Your Brain: Dealing with Stress:Test your knowledge about stress and the brain. Also learn how to create and use a “stress catcher” to practice strategies to deal with stress.

Guided Visualization: Dealing with Stress:Learn how the brain handles stress and practice a guided visualization activity.

Mental Health Minute: Stress and Anxiety in Adolescents: Got 60 seconds? Take a mental health minute to learn about stress and anxiety in adolescents.

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Last Reviewed:February 2024

Caring for Your Mental Health (2024)

FAQs

Caring for Your Mental Health? ›

Emotions, behaviors, and thoughts ExplanationEmotions, behaviors, and thoughts determine your mental health because they are closely interconnected. Avoiding challenges and stress may lead to avoidance behaviors, increased anxiety, and a lack of personal growth.

What determines your mental health in EverFi? ›

Emotions, behaviors, and thoughts ExplanationEmotions, behaviors, and thoughts determine your mental health because they are closely interconnected. Avoiding challenges and stress may lead to avoidance behaviors, increased anxiety, and a lack of personal growth.

What is mental health best answer? ›

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.

What to say to someone with mental health issues? ›

You could say something like 'its okay to feel like that' or, 'what you're going through sounds really tough'. Sometimes when you are struggling with your mental health, it can feel very lonely. By letting them know how they feel is valid, you are letting them know that they are not alone.

How do you tell someone you care about their mental health? ›

Starting a conversation with someone about their mental health
  1. Practice active listening.
  2. Don't compare.
  3. Ask what you can do.
  4. Keep your word.
  5. Don't judge.
  6. Offer to join them.
  7. Know when more serious help is needed.

What are 3 things that determine your mental health? ›

Factors that affect mental health
  • Biological factors, e.g. physical health, genetics, diet, sleep, age.
  • Psychological factors, e.g. beliefs, mental health diagnoses, perception, addictions.
  • Social factors, e.g. relationships, family, culture, work, money, housing.

What is stress everfi quizlet? ›

Stress. Physical and mental reaction to events in your life. It is how you respond to what is happening around you. Building positive relationships,Building positive relationships, Noticing and naming emotions.

What causes poor mental health? ›

For example, the following factors could potentially result in a period of poor mental health: childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect. social isolation or loneliness. experiencing discrimination and stigma, including racism.

What are 3 types of mental health? ›

Some of the main groups of mental health disorders are: mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder) anxiety disorders. personality disorders.

How to take care of your mental health? ›

Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy, such as listening to music, reading, spending time in nature, and engaging in low-stress hobbies.

What is the hardest mental illness to live with? ›

One of the Most Painful Mental Illnesses: Living with BPD Pain. Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.

What are 5 ways to improve mental health? ›

Tips for improving your mental wellbeing
  • Try to relax and reduce stress.
  • Find ways to learn and be creative.
  • Spend time in nature.
  • Connect with others.
  • Look after your physical health.
  • Try to improve your sleep.

What is the most common mental health problem? ›

The most frequently occurring mental health problems are mixed anxiety and depression, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and phobias.

What is a nice way to say mental health issues? ›

In addition, avoid words like “suffering” or “victim” when discussing those who have mental health challenges. Preferred: She has a mental health illness. She has a substance use disorder. Not preferred: She suffers from mental illness.

How do you respond when someone asks about your mental health? ›

Back Pocket Response: “Hey, thanks for asking. I really appreciate you caring about my mental health. I'm not ready to talk about therapy right now, but whenever I am, it means a lot to know you'll be there to listen.” Take stock of the person you're talking to and how they have traditionally supported you.

How do I tell someone I'm struggling mentally? ›

Some things to think about:

Try and pick a time to talk with them when they are not distracted. Remember you can say as much or as little as you like. Sharing what you feel is right at the time. You can ask them at the beginning of the conversation to keep what you say private and not to share it.

What is mental health determined by? ›

Mental health is determined by a range of socioeconomic, biological and environmental factors. Cost-effective public health and intersectoral strategies and interventions exist to promote, protect and restore mental health.

Which of the following determines your mental health? ›

Mental health is determined by our overall patterns of thoughts, emotions, behaviours and body reactions.

How do you determine mental health status? ›

The Mental Status Examination.
  1. Level of Consciousness. ...
  2. Appearance and General Behavior. ...
  3. Speech and Motor Activity. ...
  4. Affect and Mood. ...
  5. Thought and Perception. ...
  6. Attitude and Insight. ...
  7. Examiner's Reaction to the Patient. ...
  8. Structured Examination of Cognitive Abilities.

What are the 3 determinants of mental health? ›

Determinants of mental health

Individual psychological and biological factors such as emotional skills, substance use and genetics can make people more vulnerable to mental health problems.

References

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