What is something I can start doing today to improve my mental health? originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
Answer by Dr. Abbie Maroño, PhD in Psychology and Behavior Analysis, on Quora:
Mental health is complex, and there isn’t always a quick fix available to make everything okay, although I wish there were. However, there are several things we can do that have a positive impact and help to improve mental health overall. I am going to focus on two that, based on my experience as a practitioner and researcher, I believe to be the most powerful, Heathy Eating and Gratitude.
Healthy Eating
This one is probably no surprise to anyone. When we eat well, we are more likely to feel good, but when we eat badly, we are more likely to feel bad. Although most of us recognize this fact, it’s easy to overlook the significance of our diet on our mental health and assume that the relationship is only due to weight and energy levels. But it goes much deeper than that.
Take for example, serotonin, that little neurotransmitter/hormone we all know and love because it’s responsible for supporting our happiness. Where do you think most of our serotonin is made? If you said the brain, you would be incorrect, it’s actually in our guts. Indeed, our gut bacteria manufacture about 95 percent of our body’s supply of serotonin. It’s no wonder what that the quality of our food effects the quality of our thoughts.
Evidently, healthy eating is important for our mental health, but it doesn’t mean that you ONLY have to eat healthy. It’s about making informed and balanced food choices rather than restricting or overindulging yourself. Aim to include a variety of foods in your diet from all the major food groups: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. It’s also okay to have that slice of cake or cookie every now and then too.
Gratitude
Practicing gratitude involves intentionally focusing on and appreciating the positive aspects of your life, both big and small. This practice can take many forms, such as keeping a gratitude journal, reflecting on your day, or simply taking a moment to express gratitude in your thoughts.
There is a misconception, mostly amongst young adults, that you can only be grateful for what you have when you have everything you want, or if you live a particular kind of lifestyle. But this could not be more wrong. Regardless of where you are in your life, there is always something to be grateful for, and if you cannot find anything, then you are not looking hard enough. Open your eyes and look again.
But does this practice actually have a measurable impact? Absolutely. Consistently focusing on positive aspects through gratitude can lead to a general sense of happiness and life satisfaction. But once again, it goes even deeper than that, research has shown that practicing gratitude can lead to changes in brain activity and neurochemistry, promoting positive emotions and well-being.
Of course, these are just two examples out of many, but they exemplify the importance of looking after both mind and body. Indeed, we are interconnected beings, meaning that our physical wellbeing effects our psychological wellbeing just as our or psychological wellbeing effects our physical wellbeing effects. Thus, we should not neglect one in pursuit of the other.
This question originally appeared on Quora – the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
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