How to be mentally healthy and reduce stress

Learning how to be mentally healthy doesn’t mean being happy all the time or avoiding negative emotions. It’s an ongoing process of learning positive coping skills and managing stress or negativity in a healthy way. In honor of National Stress Awareness Day on November 4, we’re sharing a few healthy ways to reduce stress.

• Journaling. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be helpful in processing and understanding your emotions. It can alleviate some of the weight associated with feeling worried or concerned.
• Stay active. Head outside, move your body, and get your feel-good hormones pumping. This is the quickest and easiest way to improve your mood while having many other health benefits.
• Practice gratitude. Have you ever heard the saying “too blessed to be stressed”? It’s the notion that it’s hard to feel stressed or anxious when you’re focusing on all the things you have to be grateful for.
• Unplug. Sometimes we escape to our devices to try to feel better, unwind, or distract from our emotions, which can actually leave us feeling even more stressed. Shut down the screens and learn how to be mentally healthy by building up your mental strength.
• Relax. Our daily lives are filled with noise, responsibilities, and endless busyness. Schedule time for relaxation and quiet. Meditate, get a massage,go fly fishing, practice yoga, read, light some candles, whatever it takes to quiet your mind and chill out.
• Nourish your body. Teaching yourself how to be healthy mentally and emotionally parallels the importance of being physically healthy. Eat foods that nourish your body and mind and you’ll have more energy.
• Ask for help. If you are struggling with how to be healthy mentally and emotionally, consult with a licensed physician. This article is for informational use only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

These tips on how to be mentally healthy will help you reduce stress and maintain a positive outlook on life.