Many pieces of literature, music, and art focus on kindness with the message being “be kind to others, and they will be good to you in return.” But being kind to others can also benefit you directly.
In this article, we will explore the positive habits and actions that can improve your mental health and bring good things into your life.
Behavioral and mental health may seem like interchangeable terms; however, there is a difference. Mental health mostly refers to the brain chemistry and illnesses associated with it. On the other hand, behavioral health is a term used for the connection between habits and the individual’s health, which is the branch we are going to explore.
Behavioral health issues refer to substance and alcohol abuse, while the most common mental health problems are depression and anxiety. Let’s take a look at the positive changes you can make in your life to boost your mental and behavioral health.
Being good to others starts with being good to yourself. Proper nutrition, upright posture, enough and scheduled sleep, and regular exercise are essential for healthy living and dealing with stressful times.
Self-care is a term that has been gaining popularity recently. Yet caring for yourself without caring for those who surround you is simply selfish. Here is what you can do:
Offer Help
A lot of people struggle with asking for help, even in their worst days. Some were raised to be independent at all times, and some are just shy. When you see your friend or relative in trouble, don’t expect them to ask you for help, offer it.
The situations when our loved ones need assistance may be different. Still, in many cases, people just need to see the issue from another perspective. At times, something as little as life advice may suffice.
We all feel useless sometimes, and helping a friend can make both of you feel better.
Intervene
Also, we all have a friend who likes to party, maybe a little too much. It is okay to intervene if you see that the person who you used to be close with turns into a ruthless party animal.
Talk to your other common friends, share opinions on what you think is the best for that person.
Bad habits can ruin lives, although, with enough support, anything can be managed.
Sometimes, the first step may be something as easy as helping your friend order a paper from EssayPro to get back on track with academics.
Yet, the situations may be much tougher. Regardless that, with enough care and love, you can turn your friend back on the right path.
Give
Giving is a simple gesture of kindness, but it is important to do it for the entire year and not just around holidays. Schedule regular closet raids and give away the clothes you don’t wear anymore.
Don’t be greedy, you are not going to wear that suite that has been taking up space in your wardrobe for two years already.
There are many ways to give to the community even if you don’t have any extra cash. Look up your local charities and thrift stores that accept donations. You can help serve meals for the homeless all the year round, no need to wait for Christmas time to be a good person.
Stay in Touch
Loneliness is a disease that is eating our society from the inside. Nowadays, it is easy to feel alone in a crowd.
Even with the sense of connection that globalization has brought along, the depression levels have never been higher.
Thanks to the Internet, people can keep in touch with family and friends all over the world. Don’t forget to check up on your relatives once in a while, give them a call, tell them what’s new.
Nothing can replace the warmth of family meetings, whether they happen behind a dinner table or over a video call.
Put Down Your Phone
Although the Internet has, indeed, connected the world, according to the research, teens are suffering the most from it.
Over-dependence on social media can lower self-esteem and lead to severe anxiety disorders. So if you tend to feel isolated, check your screen time and consider putting your phone down more often.
Final Words
Helping others feels good, and a bit of altruism can really make you a better person. Caring for others is a significant part of self-care and self-love.
Take our simple advice and start implementing small changes into your daily life to make it fuller and healthier.
Proper nutrition, family connections, and less screen time can make you a happier person. It takes will and effort to turn an action into a habit.
Stop putting off those healthy changes and focus on your mental health today.
Photo credits: needpix
This is a collaborative post supporting our Peace In Peace Out initiative.