Wellness Wednesday

Mental wellness refers to achieving a positive state of mind in the holistic sense. It is more than just the absence of mental illness, but instead represents stability and healthy functioning in the emotional, social and psychological realms.

Signs of mental wellness include:

• Being emotionally resilient and able to cope with life’s challenges.

• Being aware of your strengths and abilities.

• You can sustain healthy relationships.

• You’re able to work productively.

• You’re engaged with your friends and family.

tips to improve your mental health and mental wellness

While there are distinctions between the two terms, it is notable that they are, to a large extent, interrelated. There is no denying that our mental health impacts our mental wellness.

Here are some great tips for improving mental health and wellness:

• Get involved in a cause: You don’t need to march in the streets to stand up for a cause. If you believe in something and want to make a difference, reach out to an organization and offer to help. Check out my blog about the meatball madness on why I personally get involved in a cause.

• Take up a new hobby: Mental wellness gets a boost when we break out of a rut and test our own boundaries. Some new hobbies you can try are: learning a new language, reading, kayaking, dancing, or gardening.

• Volunteer your time: Nothing improves your mental wellness like doing something nice for another person. Get involved in a local charity where you can use your skills and compassionate nature to help others. This can include animal shelters as well.

• Listen to music: Music soothes our minds and invigorates our souls. Make it a priority to make music part of your daily life. If you feel really inspired, take up a lesson in playing your own music.

• Improve sleep quality: There are immense mental health benefits from getting enough quality sleep. Stick to a regular sleep routine, set alarms to tell you when to wind down and be in bed. The key is to stick to them.

• Start a gratitude journal: Your mental health and wellness will get a boost when you stop and acknowledge your daily blessings. It’s easy to acknowledge a the wrongs that are happening in our lives. Keep a gratitude journal where you can put down in words all that you are grateful for.

• Make new fitness goals: exercise is an excellent way to improve all areas of wellness. Choose a physical activity or two to help you reach new fitness goals. This can include cardio, weight training, yoga, Pilates, and martial arts.

• See friends in person: The pandemic is over and you are no longer required to distance yourself for safety. Texting and emails are fine, but there is nothing as edifying as seeing a friend or loved one in person. Nurture your relationships and deepen connections by visiting friends live.

• Reduce stress: Our mental health can be affected by chronic stress, so reverse that trend by learning ways to reduce the stress in your life. If you feel stressed, try meditation or yoga to reach a calm mental state.

• See a therapist: If you believe your mental health is not optimal, why not schedule an appointment with a therapist? Therapy can be instrumental in achieving better mental health and mental wellness.  Take a look at my calendar availability to book your session today.

The Takeaway

Set some goals to prioritize your mental health and wellness. Make plans to take up a new hobby, improve sleep, reduce stress — or do any activity that helps you feel engaged and productive in your daily life.

Resources

Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.). Good mental health. healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/good-mental-health#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20good%20mental,feeling%20of%20being%20at%20peace

Mental wellness. Global Wellness Institute. (2023, February 23). https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/what-is-wellness/mental-wellness