5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

When you’re going through complications, it’s easy to neglect the simple things.

The basics.

The core components of a life well-lived.

I’m talking about the simple habits and activities of everyday life that, although not necessarily the ‘advanced stuff’ that therapists will work with you around, are absolutely crucial.

Because having the basics right is the foundation of good mental health.

Whatever else is going on, if you can work on improving these basics, your overall mental health will improve. Guaranteed.

I like to remember them using the acronym SEEDS. Which feels nicely growth-oriented.

S = Sleep.

If you’re not sleeping well, you’ll be more tired, more stressed, and more irritable. Whatever problems you have will seem magnified. And you’re depriving yourself of the mind and body’s most important tool for self-repair. Take sleep seriously, and make sure you’re getting the right amount every night, whatever that may be for you. There are numerous tips online for how to improve your sleep, from meditation to phones-free-zones to hot baths. Try a few and see what works.

E = Exercise

Our bodies weren’t built to be sedentary. Make sure you’re doing at least something every day, even if that’s just going for a ten-minute walk. The health benefits of exercise – and I’m talking about both physical and mental health benefits – have been proven in numerous studies. Exercise is the best anti-depressant ever invented. Start a habit and keep it up, every day.

 E = Education

 Now I don’t mean going back to school. By Education I simply mean learning something new every day. That could be by listening to a podcast, or even reading a single magazine article. The point is to be stimulating your brain, experiencing mental growth, and fighting the feeling of stuckness which is a massive enemy of good mental health.

 D = Diet

 Another foundation of good mental health that, funnily enough, relates to the body. Your mind is a construct of your brain, and your brain lives off whatever you put into your mouth. A healthy mind depends on good nutrition. That means a balanced diet, with not too much of the naughty stuff, except as treats.

 S = Social

 We are social animals, evolved over millions of years to live in tribes. Isolation is terrible for your mental health. If you’re falling down in this area, you need to take immediate action. Make sure you’re in contact with someone you care about, and who cares about you, at least once every day. That could be as simple as a text. But ideally, you’ll be out and about, having social interactions. Even if you don’t feel like it. Force yourself, and you’ll feel the benefits.

 So that’s SEEDS. Some people find it helpful to keep a diary, noting down their daily activities in each of the five areas.

 Have you done your SEEDS today?