5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing
Research suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Don’t you want to feel and be more positive and be able to get the most out of life?
- Learn new skills. Research shows that learning new skills can improve your mental wellbeing. It can boost self-confidence and raise self-esteem. It will help you to build a sense of purpose. And, it can help you to connect with others. Even if you feel like you don’t have enough time, or you may not need to learn new things, there are lots of different ways to bring learning into your life. Such as: learning to cook something new; taking on a new responsibility at work; working on a DIY project, such as fixing something broken instead of tossing it; or how about signing up for a college course for a new hobby?
- Connect with other people. Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. God made us to be in community, not be at home alone. Connecting with people can help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth; give you an opportunity to share positive experiences; and provide emotional support and allow you to support others This is so important in the times we are in now. There are many things you can do to help build stronger relationships, such as: if you can, take time each day to be with your family (even if it happens only on real-time video); arrange a day out with friends you have not seen for a while; turn the TV off and play a game with your kids; have lunch with a colleague; or check your local library to see what activities they are offering.
- Be physically active. Being active is not only great for your physical health, it can also improve your mental health as well by: raising your self-esteem; help you to set goals or challenges and achieve them; and cause chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood. Find free activities to help you to get fit. Start running, swimming, dancing or any other activity that you enjoy. (Make sure to check with your physician before starting any type of rigorous exercise program.)
- Be mindful – pay attention the present moment. Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. Why not positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges? What do you have to lose? What do you have to gain!!! (a lot!)
- Give to others. The Bible says “it’s better to give than to receive.” The acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by: creating positive feelings and a sense of reward; give you a feeling of purpose and self-worth; and help you to connect with other people. We don’t have to always give with money. Other ways of giving include: saying thank you to someone for something they have done for you; ask people how they are and really listen to their answer; spend time with friends or family that need support or company; and volunteer in your community – such as helping at a school, hospital or church.
These are just a few things you can do to improve your mental health and wellbeing. I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone. Start today…only you can make this move.