Achieving Positive Mental Health
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Mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness. Positive mental health includes the ability to enjoy life, deal with challenges, contribute to the community, and have a sense of purpose in life. You play an active role in achieving your own positive mental health. (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2009).
There are lots of things you can do to improve your mental health. Try some of the following suggestions:
- Make a list of things you’re good at. Pick one you haven’t done in a while and do it.
- Volunteer your time. Find a cause you feel strongly about and get involved. You might be surprised by how good you’ll feel when you give back to others.
- Reconnect with a friend or family member you haven’t seen in a while.
- Make a list of things you want to try. Challenge yourself to try new things.
- Find a group or team that interests you and get involved. You’ll get to participate in an activity you like, and create a new social group at the same time.
Social Ties Matter
Spending time with friends can be more than just a fun way to spend a day. It can also improve your mental health. One study found that people who reported low levels of social and emotional support had more days of poor health, as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety (Strine et al., 2008). Feeling connected to people is a great way to boost your positive mental health, so make an effort to get together with people you enjoy whenever possible.
Did you know?
A positive outlook affects our mental health. Research findings show that positive psychological activities (e.g., talking about positive experiences, writing thank-you letters, thinking positive thoughts) improved the well-being of participants. Further, these activities also helped treat depressive symptoms (e.g., loss of interest in daily activities, trouble sleeping, feelings of helplessness). (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).
