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Mental health is an especially big deal at the moment. The World Health Organization reports that the global levels of both anxiety and depression are up 25 percent, thanks to the Covid pandemic. Tag on the added economic pressures from the recent spike in inflation and everyday stress is likely on the rise as well. There isn’t much the average person can do about the pandemic or inflation, but you can do things to improve your own mental health. Keep reading for some lifestyle tips that will help keep your mental ship on an even keel.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep can feel like indulgence in a society that idolizes startup founders who brag about working 80 hours a week. Yet, it’s critical for supporting your physical and mental well-being. Yes, most people can bounce back from one or two nights of short sleep. A chronic pattern of not sleeping enough can have serious consequences for your cardiovascular system, increase the odds of diabetes, trigger weight gain, and may even help cause depression.

If you struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep, build a routine for bedtime. Turn off the TV or put away your phone at the same time every day. Brush and floss your teeth. Wash your face. Do it the same way, every day. This helps signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. You should also steer clear of caffeine starting in the late afternoon. That gives your nervous system time to wind down before you try to sleep.

Supplements

There are numerous supplements out there that can also help you boost your mental health. St. John’s Wort, for example, is an herbal supplement that acts like a low-powered antidepressant for some people. Omega 3 fatty acids show some promise in relieving depression symptoms. Of course, that doesn’t mean much if stress is your major problem. In that case, you might want to check out quality CBD options, such as Canna River products. CBD can help produce a sense of calm, which may cut down on your stress or feelings of anxiety.

Get Regular Exercise

While exercise isn’t most people’s favorite suggestion, it has more than just physical benefits. Regular exercise can help you bleed away some of your stress, which has an almost immediate benefit for your mental health and mood. Exercise also triggers those endorphins, the brain chemicals responsible for the much-vaunted runner’s high. Even if you don’t run, you can still trigger an endorphin release with most types of exercise. Not only will they help you relieve stress, but they also improve well-being and may even help minimize physical pain.

As an added bonus, regular exercise can also help you improve your sleep. Exercise helps tire you out, which means you’re more ready to sleep when bedtime rolls around. You also tend to sleep more deeply, which helps you stay asleep and get a better quality of sleep.

Eat Right

It’s very easy to have a lousy diet in America. Highly processed foods are often cheaper and easier to prepare than fresh foods. That makes them an easy choice for time-strapped, overtired adults who just want the dinner problem solved as easily as possible. Unfortunately, many of those highly processed foods contain a lot of sugar. While sugar gives you a brief energy boost, it doesn’t last. You often feel more fatigued when it wears off than you did before you ate.

A healthy diet that includes moderate portions of meat, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruit provides your body with a wide range of essential vitamins and nutrients that help support your health and overall energy levels. It’s much easier to feel mentally upbeat when you don’t feel physically exhausted.

Mental Health and You

Your mental health is one of those areas where you must stay proactive. While others can point out that you seem stressed or overtired, no one else can do anything about it. Build a lifestyle that supports your mental health. Make a point to get regular exercise at least a few times a week. Eat right when you can. Get enough sleep. Add supplements into your routine if they make sense for you. Most of all, stay vigilant so you know when to take additional steps like seeking out therapy.