5 Ways to Help Support Mental Wellness
World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is observed on October 10 every year since 1992. It was the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization, to raise awareness of worldwide mental health issues, and to promote efforts that further mental health advocacy around the world. While these may seem like big goals, there are also some great ways that you can individually contribute to World Mental Health Day. Volunteering to work at a crisis hotline, using your online presence to promote mental health awareness, educating your peers and colleagues about mental wellness and establishing a mental health support system in your workplace are all good examples to start.
However, these activities require a lot of time, planning, and effort. If you want to find smaller ways to WMHD in a more approachable, achievable way, here are five ways you can make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you on World Mental Health Day:
- Donate to a Mental Health Organization
This is something you can accomplish with just a few clicks of your mouse, but those clicks can make a huge difference. Whether you donate to a big non-profit or a smaller organization, anything donated will go a long way.
- Check-in a Friend
Do you know someone who’s having a hard time? Whether it juggling the family, work-life or exploring self-identity, we all need a helping hand along the way. Check-in with friends and offer to lend a hand if you can. Volunteer as the occasional sitter or simply ask them out for coffee. As long as you reach out and show that you care.
- Compliment or Help a Stranger
Complimenting a stranger can most definitely lighten up their spirits. It may even be the most positive moment of their day. If that feels like an awkward move, then help a stranger in small, thoughtful ways. Hold a door or keep an elevator open for someone, or maybe even offer to carry groceries for someone with a child. What’s even better is that when you boost a stranger’s self-esteem, it also inadvertently boosts your own mood.
- Do a Gut Check
Current thinking in the field of neuropsychology and the study of mental health problems includes strong speculation that mental health may be associated with alternation in the gut microbiomes. Researchers speculate that any disruption to the normal healthful balance of bacteria in the microbiome can cause the immune and nervous system to overact and contribute to inflammation in the GI tract, in turn leading to the developing symptoms of health issues throughout both body and brain. Help your gut-brain connection along by taking probiotics. Why? It is good bacteria that’s been known to provide a natural defense against episodic digestive upsets, as well as a down-regulate for the immune system response to seasonal changes. QOL’s ProbioPure contains Morinaga BB536 Probiotic which is a proprietary strain of Bifidobacterium longum developed in Japan. It is one of the world’s most-researched and effective probiotic strains.
- Treat Yourself
Taking care of your own mental health is one of the easiest ways to contribute to WMHD. After all, a healthier you means one healthier and mentally active ally in this world. Practice a small act of self-care on October 10th, whether you do a yoga class at your favorite studio, a ten-minute meditation at work, grabbing a pastry from your bakery, or re-watching a movie that always puts you in your happy place, whatever you decide to do, it’s important because you’re worth it.
What are your tips to observe World Mental Health Day? Comment for us below!
