World Mental Health Day is on Oct. 10. It is an international day for mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. As almost 800 million people struggle with mental health worldwide, it is important to know how to take care of this part of your health. Here are a few mental health tips from Andrea DeSimone, DO, Psychiatry Department Chair at Bayhealth:
- Get to know yourself. Think about a time you were feeling your best. What were you like then? What activities did you do? Ask friends and family for their perspectives. That will give you a good idea of what you're like when you're feeling well. Now, think about things you tend to do when you're feeling down. For example, if you talk or hang out with friends and family when you're feeling well and you notice you have been isolating more, this may be a sign you aren't feeling your best.
- Consider checking out the latest gadgets. For the tech savvy, there are some smart devices that can measure things like sleep patterns, physical activity, social interactions. Some give feedback in real time, like alerting you to an increase in heart rate or lack of physical movement. You could also receive personalized exercise ideas or help with making a nighttime routine.
- Make a plan for when things aren't going well. Any good monitoring system comes with an action plan. Make a list of things you will try or people you can talk to when you are feeling stressed and may not want to. Your list may include things like going for a walk outside, calling a trusted friend, reading a book, engaging in a creative activity, or cooking a nutritious meal. It could even be something as simple as setting a goal to do a fun activity for 15 minutes and celebrate a quick win.
Go to Bayhealth.org/Find-A-Doc today to find a clinician who can help you take the first step toward mental or physical wellness.
