{"id":51237,"date":"2022-05-09T17:05:38","date_gmt":"2022-05-09T21:05:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=51237"},"modified":"2025-05-13T16:01:34","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T20:01:34","slug":"how-to-improve-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/how-to-improve-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"5 ways to boost your mental health"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may take care of your body by <\/span>eating a balanced diet<\/span><\/a>, incorporating regular exercise, and getting enough sleep. But did you know that when it comes to your overall wellness, nurturing your mental well-being is just as important?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the <\/span>CDC<\/span>, about 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their life. What\u2019s more, mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression are becoming all the more common as stressors and obligations mount. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to improve mental health<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re living with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress, know that you\u2019re not alone. Forty percent of respondents said they feel as though they need mental health treatment, according to a <\/span>mental health survey<\/span><\/a> conducted by SingleCare in partnership with Mental Health America. May is Mental Health Awareness month, so there\u2019s no better time to get help. Here are 5 steps from our partner <\/span>Mental Health America<\/span><\/a> that you can take to achieve good mental health today.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>More mental health statistics<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

1. Get informed.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Mental health refers to our social and emotional well-being and impacts how we think, feel, and behave. It plays a role in managing social connections, making decisions, handling stress, and many other aspects of daily life. Mental health deserves your attention just as much as your physical health does. In fact, mental health and physical health conditions are often connected, such as <\/span>anxiety and high blood pressure<\/span><\/a>. Learning about the factors that affect mental health and the warning signs of different mental health conditions can help you catch problems early and take action.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Know yourself.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Not everyone experiences the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions in the same way. It is important to have a sense of how you feel when your emotional health is in a good place so you can notice early if things start to change. Take a moment to think about a time when you felt good about your life. What kinds of friendships did you have? What kind of work were you doing? What hobbies did you enjoy? What did your eating, physical activity, and sleep routines look like?<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>A social media break could help your mood<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

3. Take a mental health assessment.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

A screening test is a quick, free, and confidential way to determine if you might be experiencing signs of a mental health condition. A screening only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished you will be given information about the next steps you should take based on the results. A screening is not a diagnosis, but it can be a helpful tool for starting a conversation with your doctor or a loved one about your mental health. Visit <\/span>mhascreening.org<\/span><\/a> or ask your primary care provider to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What to expect from a depression screening<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

4. Practice self-care.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Taking care of yourself is critical to prevent your mental health from worsening \u2013 factors like nutrition and gut health, stress, sleep, relationships, trauma, and more can contribute to poor mental health. If your mental health is in a good spot, it is a great time to practice coping skills\u2014ways to help you deal with hard feelings\u2014so that you’re better able to handle tough times when they happen. Coping mechanisms may include deep breathing and <\/span>taking medication<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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