Your mental health impacts many areas of your life, which is why it’s so important to take steps to improve and maintain it. If you’ve tried many techniques but are still struggling, we will share five lesser-known habits that can help. We’ll also explain how a mental health IOP in Scottsdale can be helpful as you look for ways to improve your mental health.
5 Lesser-Known Habits to Improve Your Mental Health
1. Drink More Water
Drinking more water is not only good for your body but also for your mind. Studies have shown it is linked to decreased risk of depression and anxiety in adults.1
Without enough water, the brain does not get enough of the amino acid known as tryptophan. This is needed to create serotonin, also known as the “feel-good” chemical. 2 When your body gets enough water, it can make enough serotonin to keep the mind and body happy and help in preventing or reducing the symptoms of depression.
2. Exercise
Exercise helps to relieve stress and manage depression and anxiety conditions. You don’t need to spend countless hours in the gym to achieve this benefit. Going for a walk, stretching, or swimming can help get the body moving and improve your mental health.
3. Limit Social Media Screen Time
Scrolling through your social media feeds and seeing other people’s lives can lead you to compare yourself to others. This can result in low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. Try to spend less time on social media to avoid this from happening. Instead, focus on the positive things in your life rather than comparing your life to others.
4. Learn to Say No to People
Continuously agreeing to do things for people and going places that are inconvenient for you can make you feel exhausted and anxious. Knowing when to say no when it’s not in the best interest of your mental health can make a real difference. Sometimes you just need to take a break, catch your breath, and re-evaluate to improve your mental health. If the person you must say no to can’t understand why it’s essential to your mental health, you may want to re-evaluate your relationship.
5. Cook Your Meals
While we all like to go out to eat and be served, there are benefits to cooking your meals at home. Besides knowing precisely what ingredients and spices are going into your meal, cooking at home can boost mental health. Cooking requires patience, mindfulness, and creativity. Knowing that you’ve put thought and care into a meal for yourself or your family can result in positive feelings. This can help improve your mental health because you feel good about yourself and your accomplishments.
Are You Seeking Mental Health IOP in Scottsdale?
If you want to improve your mental health, seeking a mental health IOP in Scottsdale can also help. At Healing Foundations, we offer outpatient psychotherapy so people can receive their needed help and return home. This convenience can make it easier for people to get the necessary support to improve their mental health while carrying out their daily responsibilities.
Outpatient services can include a combination of individual or group therapy, family therapy, and unique mental health treatment. Those with depression, anxiety, panic disorders, and PTSD are among the patients who can benefit from a mental health IOP in Scottsdale.
For more information on Healing Foundations’ programs, call us today or message us online. Let us provide the care you need to improve your mental health.
Sources:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6147771/
[2] https://www.cnet.com/health/mental/heres-why-drinking-water-is-the-key-to-good-mental-health/