woman-has-consultation-with-doctor Discussions about mental health are more common today than ever before. This is a very good thing. It’s no secret that mental health is an extremely important aspect of a person’s overall health and wellbeing, and not something that can be ignored. To put it simply, mental health refers to our psychological and emotional wellbeing. While mental health has many factors, some of which are out of our control (genetics, family history, past experiences), there are things that you can do to promote positive mental health. So in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, our family healthcare providers wanted to provide some simple mental health tips that can be incredibly helpful.

Prioritize Healthy Sleep Habits

In so many ways, sleep is instrumental to everything we do and how our body and mind functions. So it’s no surprise that people who have difficulty sleeping are at a disadvantage when it comes to achieving and maintaining good mental health. We recommend making healthy sleep a priority by taking the following steps:

  • Stick to a regular sleep/bedtime routine
  • Reduce exposure to blue light from devices like phones, tablets, and tvs in the hours leading to your bedtime
  • Resist caffeine after 3pm
  • Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and cool at night, to promote comfort

Make a Commitment to Exercise

It’s a fact that exercising daily can provide an incredible boost to your mood and overall mental wellness. Even as little as 30 minutes of casual, non-intense physical activity (like walking) can be highly beneficial. It’s important to remember that every little bit of exercise helps. Small amounts of activity can add up over the course of a day, even if you don’t have the time or opportunity to get a full workout in.

Take Time Away From Social Media

We understand that for many people, social media is a natural and unavoidable part of daily life. But it can also take a toll on your mental health if not regulated over time. That constant flood of information, news, and everything else through our social channels can be overwhelming, and also lead to negative feelings like stress, anxiety, and depression for some people. Without cutting social media out of your life entirely, it can be helpful to cut back throughout the day, resist being on social media while in bed or getting ready to sleep, and make a point to spend time every day on specific activities not tied to your phone.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t be afraid to seek help. Issues with mental health are very common and nothing to be ashamed of. Our experts provide a variety of mental health services for our patients, including screening, diagnosis, and pharmaceutical therapy for common issues like sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, and panic disorders. For more information on our family medicine services or to schedule an appointment at our seven metro Atlanta area locations (including our brand newest locations in Buckhead and Johns Creek), please contact Family Practice Center today. Stay up to date on our blog posts for more health and wellness tips, news, and so much more.