Prioritizing mental health can help individuals better navigate the responsibilities of daily life. This includes efficiently completing household chores, maintaining relationships and engaging in meaningful activities.

People living with mental illnesses are all around us – in our homes, teaching our children, working next door in cubicles and sitting in church pews. To break stigma and foster understanding amongst ourselves and them alike. We must treat those living with these disorders with the utmost respect to foster conversations between ourselves.

1. Take a Deep Breath

Mental health concerns such as stress or anxiety may arise occasionally, but if these concerns become persistent and interfere with daily life, they could be the mark of mental illness. Mental illness refers to any disorder which impacts one’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors and ranges in severity from temporary or long term cases; mild, moderate and severe cases have all been documented.

There are a variety of strategies you can employ to boost your mental health and well-being, from simple approaches like meditation and deep breathing to practicing mindfulness which focuses on being in the moment and speaking to someone about how you’re feeling (friend, family member, colleague or mental health professional).

Nearly 1 billion people worldwide suffer from mental health conditions. Most are treated through talk therapy (psychotherapy) and medicines such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics; but some require hospital admission for serious issues like depression or schizophrenia. But early treatment can increase recovery chances significantly – and recovery becomes even more likely once treatment starts!

2. Make a List

As you juggle work, family, and other life challenges it can be hard to make time for self-care. But by taking just a few simple steps you can build healthy habits and create space for mindfulness in everyday life – download our Mindful Moments Checklist as a starting point and get going today.

No matter if it involves pen and paper or digital tools, list-making can help manage the demands of daily life more easily. According to scientific studies, making lists reduces stress, boosts productivity and promotes sleep; plus it allows you to keep an overview of tasks completed and reduce regret from forgetting an obligation and stress caused by overthinking!

Make a list by considering what goals and priorities are most important to you and writing them down in order. Set aside dedicated time for each item on your list; as soon as completed, cross it off as a sense of achievement is felt; Scullin et al’s study indicates this method as being relaxing and improving sleep quality.

If you are concerned about someone close to you, be mindful when providing feedback or guidance. Each individual reacts differently when experiencing difficulty; sometimes it may not even be apparent that someone has mental health concerns.

3. Establish Boundaries

Healthy relationships and strong connections with those in your life are important, but having boundaries that protect both of your needs and those of others is also necessary for maintaining harmony and personal space. Boundaries allow you to communicate your needs and values to others so they respect you – something which helps avoid conflict or misunderstandings and also makes recognizing toxic people or situations easier so they can be avoided altogether.

Setting effective boundaries requires being aware of oneself and their emotions and needs. If you need assistance setting them, talk with a close friend or family member. A mental health professional could also offer additional support if needed.

Establishing boundaries is an ongoing journey. While you work to establish them, you’re bound to experience setbacks as you make adjustments; be patient and persevere! Over time, you will find greater peace.

If you are having difficulty with finding peace of mind or are experiencing anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health challenges, reach out to trusted loved ones or therapists for assistance and guidance. Call 988 or text DBSA for immediate access to trained mental health professionals for guidance or if having suicidal thoughts call 911 immediately; alternatively visit an emergency department of hospital immediately.

4. Set Time Limits on External Distractions

Distractions may arise outside our control: phone notifications flashing on our phones, app badges indicating unread messages and catty coworkers popping up in instant messenger can all serve as external stimuli that make it hard to focus. One strategy you may find helpful in combatting external disruptions is setting a timer or blocking out time in your calendar in order to establish protected time where no interruptions will be allowed during this session.

Mental health can be affected by many different influences, from local threats that increase risk for individuals, families and communities to global challenges like economic downturns, disease outbreaks, human rights violations, forced displacement and climate crisis. Each influencing factor has the power to alter our thoughts, emotions and behaviors in either positive or negative ways.

Take care to prioritize mental wellness during National Mental Health Month and beyond by prioritizing self-care and professional care to protect and strengthen your mental health, helping to cope with life’s challenges more easily and provide peace of mind. Nurturing our mental wellbeing may even assist in managing other conditions like heart disease. By prioritizing mental wellness daily, we can build healthy habits leading to improved quality of life and greater peace.