Top tips for maintaining a healthy mind

With the stress and pressures of everyday life, it’s easy for things to get too much and negatively impact your mental health. We’ve put together our ten top tips for maintaining a healthy mind. A strong and healthy mind is key to good mental health and ensuring we’re not just surviving. Practice these top tips to improve your current mental health and thrive in the future. 

1. Build relationships

In life it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routines and not give yourself time to interact with people. Break the habit to develop and maintain strong relationships with those around you. Everyone needs a support system and developing these relationships has a hugely positive impact on your life and mental health. 

2. Make time

Making time to do the things you love the most will help you to enjoy life and have a positive frame of mind. Make time to do the things that make you smile. Read a book, take your dog for a walk or socialise with your friends. 

3. Take care of your body

Physical and mental health go hand in hand, if your body feels good then you will feel good about life. Physical activity and a balanced diet will help you feel good, physically and mentally. 

4. Appreciate people, including yourself

Appreciating friends and family gives you a positive state of mind. When it comes to appreciating yourself, focus on everything positive about yourself. What are the strengths and positive traits you are blessed with? Appreciate them and stay positive about yourself. 

5. Do something fun

If you’re feeling down, do something about it. Injecting fun and laughter into your day will greatly contribute to keeping a healthy mind. Watch an episode of Friends, send a Snapchat to your mates, ride a bike or enjoy a fitness class. Do anything that releases those endorphins. 

6. Build resilience

Building resilience allows you to become mentally stronger and take things in your stride. Getting to know your own personal stress triggers and how you react to these will allow you to manage the triggers, ensuring reactions are minimal. Resilience is not genetically inherited. It can be learned, strengthened and shared. What are you waiting for? Start building resilience today. 

7. Learn to prioritise

Learning how to prioritise your time and the things you do will ease the pressure on your mental health. Letting go of unnecessary tasks and delegating accordingly will reduce the burden on your time, relieving any potential stress. 

8. Get a good night’s sleep

Getting plenty of sleep is a great way to recharge your batteries, mentally and physically. Going to bed at a regular time, having time to relax before bed and keeping a sleep diary are all good ways to improve your sleeping habits. If you get in to bed and feel restless, get up and only go back again when you feel tired. Although a nap can be tempting, this dramatically reduces the chances of getting a good night kip. 

9. Be present with mindfulness

With all the great technology around today it can be tempting to check your phone, Facebook messages or even work emails when you’re with family and friends. Practising Mindfulness and being present in the moment with your own thoughts and feelings is a great way to keep your mind healthy. Live in the moment and enjoy every single minute of it. 

10. Ask for help

Unfortunately for mental health sufferers there is still stigma surrounding mental health. People seem afraid to talk about it, but it really is OK to talk. Talking to friends, family, counsellors or charities about your feeling is the best way to get the support you require. Fortunately, mental health is turning a corner and there are now many different sources where you can get help. It might seem the hardest thing to do, but if you need help, seek it.