Ensuring Your Mind Health 

Introduction 

Being healthy means taking care of both your physical health and mental health. 

Physical health ensures that your body operates smoothly, while mental health manages your emotions effectively. 

We will be exploring ways that will help maintain a positive mind. 

Tips to manage your mental health. 

Good mental health – what does it mean?

Mental health describes our psychological and emotional state. It includes how we feel, think and act according to different situations. 

Our mental health is something we should always consider. It is as important as our physical health, for various reasons. 

Our minds can adapt to difficult situations, that may crop up in the future 

Maintaining a healthy mind, contributes to a healthy body, as it can reduce the risks of physical illnesses. 

Tips for Mind Health 

We will explain various methods that can promote a healthy mind. We have listed 8 ways in managing your mental health. 

1) Change the way you think 

An important first step to improving your mental health is changing the way you think. 

Thinking in negatively, can affect your actions and behaviour. 

E.g., If a student thinks he will not pass a test, then he will not study as hard. 

By thinking in a positive approach, the actions you take, and your behaviour will change too. 

E.g., If a student thinks that studying can help him improve his test results, then he will concentrate on his studies more. 

As you can see from the two examples, the way we think has a direct effect on our actions and behaviour. By slightly adjusting our mindset, it can cause a massive difference. 

A most frequent used tactic, is the ‘catch it, check it and change it’ approach. 

What this means is to recognise the thought, see if you can change the thought and replace it with a more positive version. 

2) Think of the Present 

Slow down.  

Notice what life has to offer and process your thoughts and feelings. There is no need to fast-forward everything in your life.  

Enjoy the little things in life. 

Giving your attention to the present can improve your mental health. Most call this mindfulness. 

Slowing down can help us appreciate what we have missed in our rush. 

It allows us to be more in touch with our emotions, by giving ourselves a bit more time to process the present. 

We notice the path our thoughts take easier, giving us the time to adjust our mindset. 

3) A Good Rest / Sleep 

A good amount of sleep is always the right way to start your day. 

Getting the right amount of sleep, will help you feel energised physically and mentally. 

Your mind needs to take a break as well. 

4) Connecting with Others / Someone you can talk to 

Maintaining good relationships with those important to you, allows for a healthy mind. 

Not only does it give you a sense of belonging and self-worth, it gives you an opportunity to talk about your feelings with people you trust and who understand you. 

By conversing with others, it allows you to share each other’s positive experiences. 

They can give you the emotional support you need, and in return you can give them your support on their struggles. 

Take the time to catch up with your family each day. It can be during lunch breaks or an arranged get-together. 

Make time for friends that you have not met in a while. 

Use activities to interact with family and friends. 

5) Health Management 

Your mental health coincides with your physical health. 

Being active, participating in outdoor activities, and following a balanced diet, is how we can ensure that our bodies stay healthy and mind stay sharp and emotionally stable. 

Exercise is a key element in keeping your body functioning properly and boosts self-esteem and concentration. It is also a solution for better sleep, which contributes to a better mood. 

Eating healthy is good for the mind. Your brain requires the nutrients found in food to function effectively. 

There are things you can consider to make life healthier. 

Avoid smoking, and reduce your consumption of alcohol and caffeine, to help promote a healthy mind. These products can affect our mental health negatively. 

6) Enjoy Some Me Time 

Set some time aside for yourself. 

Get busy with a hobby, or learn something new. Refresh your mind. 

Doing these activities can help you build connections, boost self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as give meaning to your actions. 

Taking a break can be a much-needed action. 

Have a rest and pamper yourself. Do something that makes you feel happy. A break, no matter how short, can cause stress to decrease. 

7) Reminders for Future Self 

Jotting down reminders to your future self, can be used as encouragement if problems crop up in the future. 

When you are in a good mood, write down any actions that you have taken to reduce the pressure you feel mentally. 

This can range from: breathing techniques, who you recommend to talk to, and what is keeping you positive. 

There are many more, but it depends on what you think can help you if a difficult situation were to occur in the future. 

8) Ask for Help / Support 

If you feel overwhelmed by your thoughts or emotions, it is important that you ask for help. 

You can try talking to family members or friends. They might be able to recommend a solution, and if not, they will at least lend an ear to you. 

There are also local services available to you: 

• You can join a support group. 
• Search for a counsellor (can be recommended by GP, or doctor) 

Your doctor can give suggestions, on the help needed, for your mental health issues. 

The doctor can recommend a specialist, if it has affected your life, or those around you.