“The thing about having a mental breakdown is that no matter how obvious it is that you’re having one, it is somehow not obvious to you.” ― Tara Westover, Educated

In a world where many of us are incessantly judging, assessing, and belittling ourselves and our abilities to what’s on social media or the internet, it’s critical to prioritize self-care.

Prolonged self-care is multidimensional, and we must not dehumanize the lived experiences of others because it’s different from our journey. We all are experiencing and going through something that another person knows absolutely nothing about. Instead of being quick to react and make judgments and assumptions about someone else’s mental health. It would be wise to respond with grace and offer positive advice.

Here are mental-health tips to help those around us, including ourselves:

1. Surround Yourself With Good People — It’s critical to make sure the people around you are supportive, positive and, overall, good for you. Surrounding yourself with the wrong people can contribute to mental illness and invite additional problems into your life.

• Get Your Body Moving — Exercise is one of the most advisable ways to maintain good mental health. Getting your body moving allows for the release of endorphins that relieve stress and improve your emotional state.

• Don’t Be Afraid To Put Your Needs First — The pull to be there for our loved ones is understandable and praiseworthy. However, knowing when to put your mental health and needs first is also essential. If you always put other people first, you will come last. This doesn’t mean that you should disregard the feelings or needs of those you care about, but you should be aware of when you need to look out for yourself.

• Keep A Journal — Writing down your thoughts in a journal or even on paper is another excellent tip for bettering your mental health. The process is therapeutic and can assist you in processing your emotions. Journaling is not only a great stress reliever, but it also allows you to reflect, learn and, ultimately, grow.

• Cut Out Bad Habits — Bad habits can genuinely wreak havoc upon mental health. But even worse, they can be challenging to abandon once the behaviour becomes familiar and engrained. Take a second to consider what habits of yours may be doing far more harm than good.

• Take Up A New Hobby — Sometimes, improving your mental health means pushing or challenging yourself constructively. This is where taking up a healthy, new hobby can prove to be particularly valuable.

As you work on self-care and improving your mental health, don’t forget to be patient. Bettering yourself physically takes time and consistency. Improving your mental health is no different. We cannot lead and love others to our maximum ability if we don’t show up for ourselves.

Our mental health and well-being will always outweigh how long we spend on the earth, how much money we accumulate, or how much flattery and attention we receive. What matters is the extent of positive vibrations we radiate in life.

Continue to live well.

—Brian Nadon