By/ Author:

Josabet Hermosillo

We all have those days when everything feels overwhelming. When stress, anxiety,
or exhaustion take over. Improving your mental health doesn’t mean you have to
drastically change your whole life around in the blink of an eye. In fact, sometimes
the smallest changes are the ones that make the biggest impact. It’s not about
perfection; it’s about progress, patience and resilience. It is important to recognize
and take action when there are noticeable declines, not only in your own mental
health but in mental health of others as well.

According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people around
the world have been diagnosed with a form of mental health disorder. That is
nearly one out of eight individuals. Despite this large number, there remains
significant hesitation to seek help due to many reasons such as lack of serious
recognition, fear of judgement, or limited access to resources, etc. These barriers
create a cycle of mental health struggles, making it more difficult to manage and
prevent the problem from growing.

One of the key factors to improving your mental health is adjusting some of your
everyday habits. It can be as simple as going outside for a breath of fresh air,
taking a refreshing shower, or maintaining a clean living space. Minor changes like
these can help clear your mind, brighten your mood, and create a sense of
motivation. Developing these habits and building a routine can bring a feeling of
accomplishment, and with time, help strengthen self-discipline, increase hope and
confidence, help you feel more empowered over the world you live in. and establish a solid foundation for improving your mental health.

Other significant changes that can help improve your mental health include
establishing a healthier sleep schedule, engaging in physical activity, limiting
screen time and social media use, and developing supportive relationships and
seeking professional help. A better and consistent sleep schedule

will result in enhanced focus, improved mood, and reduced stress. When it comes
to physical activity, it has been proven to be beneficial because of the improved
self-confidence it can produce, as well as increased coherent thinking and balanced
hormones which can also regulate your mood. As of recently, social media has
been increasingly linked to poor mental health; to minimize its negative impact, it
is most effective by decreasing exposure to negative content and comparison.
Lastly, developing supportive relationships and seeking professional help are
essential because supportive relationships reduce feelings of loneliness and provide
a sense of belonging. Seeking professional help is equally as effective as
supportive relationships due to the fact that licensed professionals can offer helpful
coping mechanisms and supply you with the tools to manage stress and anxiety.

Overall, the journey to improving your mental health can be challenging, but it’s
important to remember that improvement begins with one small step at a time.
Mental health needs to be treated with the same care that physical health is treated
with. Ultimately, taking care of your mind is an ongoing journey of patience, self-
awareness, and growth, one that can lead to a healthier, more balanced, and
fulfilling life.

References:
World Health Organization (WHO)
National Institute Of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institutes Of Health (NIH)
Psychiatry.org
Cdc.gov