Five tips to improve your mental wellbeing
MQ Mental Health Research – one of Campbell Tickell’s charity partners for this year – shares some of the best ways to improve your mental health
STRATEGY
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MQ Mental Health Research
With the many difficulties happening in the world now, it is more important than ever to focus on your mental health. Here are five tips to improve your wellbeing:
Get enough sleep
It can be easy to push your sleep schedule aside whenever life gets busy, but a regular sleep pattern is essential for maintaining good mental health.
Not getting enough sleep can lead to increased activity in the part of the brain that controls our stress response – the amygdala.
According to research, adults should aim to sleep between seven and nine hours a night, whereas children and teenagers need nine to 11 hours.
Eat a well-balanced diet
Although eating junk food as an occasional treat is relatively harmless, increased consumption can be problematic.
Studies have shown that highly fluctuating blood sugar levels can exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Eating meals containing healthy sources of protein and plenty of complex carbohydrates helps to keep blood sugar steady.
Be aware of your alcohol consumption
Alcohol affects many of the communication pathways in our brain and affects mental health in several ways.
Although the occasional drink might help you relax, overdoing alcohol consumption can increase anxiety and depression and worsen other mental health problems.
Instead of drinking alcohol, dedicate some time to finding alternative ways to relax, such as walking or arts and crafts.
Exercise more
It's clear that regular exercise has a positive impact on your psychical health, but it is also beneficial for your mental wellbeing.
Research has shown that exercise can effectively manage anxiety and depression. Some research even suggests that regular exercise may increase the size of the hippocampus, a region in our brain that helps regulate our stress response.
Since prolonged stress may shrink the hippocampus, regular exercise may be a great way to protect against this effect.
Do something kind
It is easy to underestimate the impact of kind words or the effect kind actions can have on people, but doing something nice for someone else can help reduce anxiety and make you feel happier.
Paying someone a compliment, checking in on your neighbours, donating blood, or volunteering are great ways to boost yourself.
Check out our random acts of kindness bingo for inspiration.
