31 tips for mental health in May

Here are 31 Daily Tips For May 2017, Mental Health Month:

1. Put talents to use to build self-confidence and help make the harder tasks seem easier.
2. Experiment. Try a new recipe, start a project, take a new class at the YMCA; being creative and expressing it are known to improve well-being as a whole.
3. Sleep enough and turn down the temp. The optimal temperature for sleep is between 60˚ and 67˚ F
4. For the whole day, make it the goal to focus on being optimistic and seeing the glass half-full.
5. Start the morning with a cup of coffee, which is linked to lower rates of depression.
6. If anxious at all during the day, try out the old kindergarten trick and color for 20 minutes.
7. Set aside time to laugh. Hang out with a friend or watch a comedy.
8. Try to disconnect from the phone and all virtual distractions. Instead be in-the-moment.
9. Find an opportunity to volunteer or help something in the community.
10. Dance around when there’s time. Its healthy.
11. Take a warm bath to decompress.
12. Write out any stressors in life. Just let it out.
13. Find time to spend with a friendly pet. They’ll be happier too.
14. Save time by planning out weekly outfits and meals.
15. Forgive any grudges. It’s not for the other person, the forgiver is given peace.
16. Squeeze in favorite physical activities to release endorphins in the brain.
17. Try as hard as possible to find the silver-lining in one of the day’s challenges.
18. Smile. Do it. Just do it.
19. Give someone else a gift. There is not any feeling like making someone smile.
20. Spend some time with mother nature. Research shows that being in nature can increase energy levels, reduce depression and boost well-being.
21. Kill two birds with one stone by getting about 15 minutes in the sun while on that nature hike. Sunlight synthesizes Vitamin D, which is believed to be a mood elevator.
22. Get enough omega-3 fatty acids, which are linked to decreased rates of depression and schizophrenia.
23. Let out a yawn. Studies suggest that yawning helps cool the brain and improves alertness and mental efficiency.
24. Take advantage of social media’s support of Mental Health Month by checking out others’ experiences or sharing a personal experience with mental illness or recovery, on Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr with #mentalillnessfeelslike.
25. Every couple days, boost brainpower with a few pieces of dark chocolate. The flavonoids, caffeine, and theobromine in chocolate are thought to work together to improve alertness and mental skills.
26. Show some love to someone close. Strong, quality relationships are the key to happy living.
27. “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”  -Martin Luther King Jr.
    • Think of a part of life to improve or a goal for life and figure out the steps to take in order to succeed.
28. Plan a vacation; having something to look forward to can boost your overall happiness for up to 8 weeks.
29. Become educated about common forms of mental illness such as chronic stress, depression, and addiction
30. Encourage family members and friends to seek help if they are the ones concerned.

    31.Be supportive of those who are dealing with mental           health issues themselves, or in their families.