People often think that physical wellness is the only thing that matters when it comes to improving your life. However, you’ve to remember that your mental wellbeing is just as crucial because it has an effect on how you feel, react, think, and behave in your daily life. You won’t be able to bring positive and lasting changes in your life unless you focus on your mental health.
Unfortunately, according to statistics, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the US plagued with a mental illness such as depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD, or OCD. What’s even more saddening than this high prevalence rate is that among these individuals, almost half of the patients either go undiagnosed or don’t receive the proper treatment.
Thankfully, some of these mental illnesses are curable or even preventable if you focus on a few of the wellness habits which will help you in leading a physically and mentally healthy life. However, before we start talking about those, let’s look at what it really means to be mentally fit and robust.
What does it mean to be mentally sound & healthy?
If you have the following attributes, it means you’re a mentally sound person and have the skill to move ahead in life without issues.
- You’re happy and content with your life
- You hold yourself and others in high regard
- You like to go out with your friends and family
- You can battle through the toughest life problems
- You can perform daily activities without facing trouble
- You have a sense of purpose in your work and social life
- You can build and maintain healthy relationships
An individual with these qualities will be able to sail through life even if he is faced with adverse conditions. However, someone who doesn’t enjoy or have a purpose in life is missing out on the real value of it and should start looking into the habits which can improve his perspective of life.
So, now that you understand what a healthy mind looks like let’s look at the five habits which can positively transform your life.
The balance between self-love & loving others
Both self-esteem and self-compassion or love is crucial when you want to lead a confident, unwavering life. However, contrary to common belief, self-love is not the only thing you need to succeed. In fact, the NPD (Narcissist Personality Disorder) is characterized by a feeling of grandeur, lack of empathy for others, and a constant need for admiration.
So, you must bear in mind that while it is vital for you to appreciate yourself and the qualities you have, you must strike a balance between loving yourself and those around you. Research shows that people who have an altruistic nature don’t only have a higher quality of life but also live longer than those who help others to gain profit.
Think about the good & positive things
Another wellness habit which you can engage in is to think about the good stuff you have in your life. Though a lot of people think they’re thankful for everything they have, most of us don’t really take time out to reflect on the positives instead of the negatives. If we’ve hit by a calamity, we stress over it, talk about it to our friends and family, and this results in the issue deepening even further.
However, if you really want to revolutionize your life and turn it around, you have to make it a point to be thankful for all that you have. List down the positives on a piece of paper or your personal diary first thing in the morning or later at night when you’re snuggled in life. When you write down these blessings and remind yourself of everything, you’ll have your brain’s reward center activated, and it will make you feel momentarily high.
This habit will change your life because even when you’re faced with dire circumstances, you’ll have the ability to battle through it because you’ll be aware of everything you do have.
Fall into a planned-out routine
Physical and mental health are closely related to each other. You’ll find much research on how your eating habits, sleep patterns, and exercise routines affect your psychological health. So, if you want to lead a life where both your mind and body function at their optimal, you need to make sure that you fall into a routine. Ensure that you eat a proper breakfast, take your carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamins in balance, and stick to a sleep schedule.
Though today’s fast life may sometimes make it difficult for you to have lunch or dinner on time and get the daily exercise you need, you have to remember that it’s imperative that you follow a routine for the most part. Once you make these healthy habits a part of your schedule, you will begin to experience positive changes in your life.
Try new things and challenge your brain
It doesn’t matter if you’re in your 20s, 40s, or 60s because if you want your mind to operate at its highest potential, you have to make sure that you introduce new challenges to it. Learn a language or try a new skill or just take out some time to play some mind stimulating games or braintests on your smartphone.
Instead of browsing aimlessly through your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram feed, take out a book and read it to get your grey cells working. Remember that though physical routine is crucial for the body, your brain needs to be questioned every chance it gets. Thought-provoking activities such as these won’t only make sure that your mind stays sharps but will also give you the opportunity to learn new things and skills.
Don’t be afraid to take chances
Finally, one of the best mental wellness habit you can engage in to transform your life is to not be scared to take a chance. Though it is not recommended that you act harshly or without thinking, you shouldn’t be afraid to take risks if the occasion calls for it.
Thinking about problems, looking at them in a favorable light and then coming up with solutions and executing it will do amazing things for your brain’s health and your life. Bear in mind that you get only one opportunity to live like you want to and you’re the one holding your life’s steering wheel, so instead of meekly driving it in the same directions, take a few turns and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes with it.
You’ll be amazed at the revolution in your life if you just focus on your mental wellness a little. However, if you’ve done an online Alzheimers test or have a history of the disease in your family, you have to ensure that you take the necessary precautions.
ABOUT Alycia Gordan
Alycia Gordan is a freelance writer who loves to read and write articles on healthcare technology, fitness and lifestyle. She is a tech junkie and divides her time between travel and writing. You can find her on Twitter: @meetalycia