Improving Mental Health One Step at a Time

By Brandi Goodman 

Proper mental health takes time to achieve, especially if you struggle with an illness that impacts your mind. It can be difficult to make strides in bettering yourself when all you want to do is curl up inside yourself and avoid life. By taking things just one step at a time, you can work toward improving your mental health and overall well-being without feeling too overwhelmed.

Step 1: Find Something to Laugh At

One good laugh can be enough motivation to want to continue on with your day. Start by finding just one thing to laugh at so you can feel joy for a moment. It may even inspire you to continue searching for humor you can enjoy. A simple meme or video could be all it takes. 

Step 2: Drink a Cup of Water

Water is essential for health. If you don't tend to drink any, start by having just one cup. Drink a full cup of water and feel every drop go down your throat and into your body. It will hydrate you and replenish your spirit better than any other drink. 

Step 3: Try Physical Activity You Enjoy

Exercise is a great way to boost your mood because of the endorphins released. You may not want to actually exercise, but trying even one physical activity you used to enjoy can be a huge help. This can be as simple as bouncing a basketball outside for a few minutes or tossing a ball up into the air and catching it. Maybe you'd like to try to ride a bike up the road and back, or go for a swim. Any of these count and can help to enhance your well-being for at least a short time. 

Step 4: Seek Support

Even with these other steps completed, you may still find yourself feeling down. This is when you know you need to seek support. Reach out to someone. Anyone. You need to find somebody who understands and can talk to you about the pain you're feeling. It lets you see you're not alone. 

These steps don't end your troubles and they don't make you well as soon as they're completed. Instead, you need to continue reaching these steps and then some each and every day until you truly feel you've made strides toward improving your mental health. 

Note: If you’re feeling like harming yourself or someone else, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Evans, Ga.