Listicle: Boosting your mental health in the New Year

As we welcome in another New Year, many of us are setting new goals most likely to eat better and get more exercise. Those are great goals. We know that you need to eat healthy and get some exercise to feel good and live longer.

Another key to a happier, healthier and longer life? Good mental health. Good mental health is just as important as good physical health, but just like a busy schedule may keep us from working out, life also can challenge our emotional well-being.

Whatever happens in life, we encourage you to make your mental health a priority. You’ll feel better and deal with stress better. Keep this list handy and get creative by adding your own ideas. It’s worth putting good mental health on the top of your “to do” list every day.

These ideas can keep your spirits up:

• Stay in touch with family and friends. Maintaining relationships is good for your mental health. Call and visit your children or grandchildren. If you don't have family or friends nearby, join a local church or synagogue or a community organization.
• Give yourself time to adjust to big life changes. This includes not only obvious negative events, like the death of your spouse or a friend, but also positive events like moving or retiring. These can be accompanied by a sense of loss. Grieving any loss is natural and necessary.
• Keep busy with mentally stimulating activities. Consider volunteering or taking a class. Explore new interests like learning another language.
• Consider getting a pet. A pet can be a wonderful companion. Pet owners get more exercise and have more social contact than those without a pet.
• Exercise. Take a walk or ride a bike. Exercise improves how you feel mentally, as well as physically.
• Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can contribute to depression. Try to get as much sleep as you need. Although we often say that a person needs about eight hours of sleep per night, this is only an average number. Some people find they need more. It's important that you find out for yourself how many hours you need for restful and restorative sleep.
• Practice optimism and good humor. A positive attitude and laughter improve your mood. Spend time with people who make you laugh.
• Be open to learning about new technology and what aspects of it may fit with your lifestyle and interests.

Source: Staywell Health Library at healthlibrary.sjchs.org