11 steps to improve your mental health

1. Treat Your Body with Respect

Arrow Taking care of yourself physically includes: - Avoid toxins - Get 7 hours minimum sleep - Drink plenty of water - 30 minutes exercise daily - Keep a gratitude journal This combination will ultimately help decrease depression, anxiety and improve your attitude levels.

2. Value Yourself

Arrow Treat yourself with kindness and respect and avoid self-criticism. Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects or broaden your horizons. Do a daily crossword puzzle, plant a garden, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument or become fluent in another language.

3. Surround Yourself with Positive people

Arrow People with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support network. Loneliness is a major cause of a poor mental state. Try to speak to at least one or more person a day.

4. Find your Stress Triggers

Arrow Like it or not stress is a part of life. Practice good coping skills. Try one minute stress strategies, do Tai Chi, exercise, take a nature walk, play with your pet or try journal writing as a stress reducer.

5. Set Realistic Goals

Arrow Decide what you want to achieve academically, professionally and personally and write down the steps you need to realize your goals. Aim high but be realistic and don't over-schedule. You'll enjoy a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self-worth as you progress toward your goal.

6. Break up the Monotony

Arrow Although our routines make us more efficient and enhance our feelings of security and safety, a little change of pace can perk up a tedious schedule. After your jogging route, plan a road-trip, take a walk in a different park, hang some new pictures or try a new restaurant.

7. Avoid Alcohol & other Dependents

Arrow People use alcohol & other drugs to 'self-medicate' but in reality, they only aggravate the internal problems. - Trade alcohol for water - Trade pills for vitamins - Trade pain for gains

8. Ask for Help when required

Arrow Help is a sign of strength - not a weakness. Remember that alternative treatment is effective. People who get appropriate care can recover from mental illness to lead full rewarding lives.

9. Have a routine

Arrow This helps keep you on track with things like work or school. If you don't have one yet, create one!

10. Find someone who will listen

Arrow This may sound obvious but sometimes we isolate ourselves when things get tough. It's important to reach out when things get rough so try starting a support group or finding an accountability partner who will help keep you accountable and motivated! You can as well join self-improvement community.

11. Don't beat yourself up

Arrow This seems obvious but sometimes we beat ourselves up over things that aren't even worth beating ourselves up over! Try keeping a journal where you write down any negative thoughts or feelings that come up during the day so that when they happen again next you have an idea of what's happening.