How to Improve Mental Health – Dr. Vipul Tyagi

While we put a lot of focus and pressure to improve our physical health, but when it comes to our mental health, we tend to ignore it many a times because of our age old traditions and customs of not looking up to mental illness as a serious issue. In fact, because of the stigma against those facing mental health issue, there has been an increase number of cases of mental health problems like depression, anxiety, severe forms of stress and many more. Mental health can seriously affect on how you think, feel and act on a daily basis. Thus, one needs to take proper steps of improving the mental health of an individual.

Following are the steps to improve Mental Health –

Value Yourself – One needs to always value him/her as a person. One needs to treat him/her with respect and kindness. Make sure that your make up time from your busy schedule for hobbies and playful activities which indulges you to different horizons of life.

Take ample care of your body – Proper physical care of your body has an immense positive impact on your physical health. Make sure that you-

• Have nutritious meals
• Drink Plenty of Water
• Exercise regularly as it decreases depression
• Get enough sleep.
• Avoid cigarettes, drugs and alcohol

Make a group of good people – People with healthy and sound mind and those having strong network of good social people are generally healthier than those who lack a good social network. Seek out opportunities with meeting with good people whether in club, park, and parties or even in support group.

Learn to deal with stress – Minor levels of stress are part and parcel of life. Therefore, one needs to practise good coping skills in order to combat stress related problem. Regular exercise, meeting with people, exercising hobbies or even playing with your pets acts as great stress reducer. Also, a good quotient of smile and humour in your life not only reduces stress but also helps to better your immune system.

Set Goals which you can achieve –Decide what you want you achieve in your personal and professional life and make a list of it. Aim high but always be realistic and don’t aim for too high. One can enjoy tremendous sense of feeling of accomplishment if you set some realistic goals and achieve it.