2/3’s of us experience a mental health problem in our lifetimes, according to the Mental Health Foundation. There are thousands of reasons why we may go though this but I have found that many people have a very difficult time when facing a health issue or crisis as I did on my cancer journey. Here are 10 tips on ways to improve your mental health, I hope you find them helpful.

Please share these with your loved ones and let them know it’s okay to not always be okay. 

1. Talk about your feelings

Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel down and troubled.

2. Keep active

Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate, sleep, look, and feel better. 

Exercise keeps your brain and your other vital organs healthy. It’s a very significant benefit towards improving your mental health.

3. Eat well!

Your brain needs a good mix of high quality nutrients in order to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body. 

A diet that’s good for your physical health is also good for your mental health. You need to fuel your brain also!

4. Drink sensibly

We often drink alcohol to change our mood. Some people drink to deal with fear or loneliness, but the effect is only temporary.

When the drink wears off, you’ll feel worse because of the way the alcohol has affected your brain and the rest of your body. Drinking is not a good way to manage difficult times and feelings.

5. Keep in touch

There’s nothing better than catching up with someone face to face, but that’s not always possible. Give them a call, drop them a note, or chat with them online instead. Keep the lines of communication open! It’s good for you!

6. Ask for help

None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired and overwhelmed by how we feel when things don’t go as planned.

If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help.

Your family or friends may be able to offer practical advise or simply a listening ear.

7. Take a break

A change of scenery or a change of pace is good for your mental health.

It may be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work, or a weekend exploring somewhere new.

A few minutes can be enough to de-stress you. Give yourself some me time.

8. Do something you’re good at

What do you love doing? What activities can you lose yourself in? What have you loved doing in the past?

Enjoying yourself can help beat stress. Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it, and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.

9. Accept who you are

We’re all different. It’s much healthier to accept that you’re unique than to wish you were more like someone else.

Feeling good about yourself boosts your confidence to learn new skills, visit new places and make new friends. Good self-esteem helps you cope when life takes a difficult turn.

10. Care for someone else

Caring for others is often an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together.