Tips For Boosting Your Mental Health Daily

M A Y 2 0 2 5 E M P L O Y E E N E W S L E T T E R Live Well. Work Well. Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every May to help break the stigma and support people living with mental health conditions. Mental illness refers to a range of diagnosed conditions that affect a person’s mood, behavior, feelings, thinking and, ultimately, ability to function in daily life. Millions of Americans live with serious mental disorders, such as anxiety, major depression and bipolar disorder. Mental health plays a huge role in your overall health and well-being. It affects everything, including how you think, feel and act, and helps determine how you make healthy choices and cope with stress. Mental health is always there; your state continually changes depending on resources and challenges. Focusing on maintaining or improving your mental health is important, here are five ways to boost your mental health daily: 1. Express gratitude. Taking five minutes daily to write down the things you are grateful for has been proven to lower stress levels and help you achieve a more positive mindset. 1. Be kind. Helping others and being kind not only helps the recipient but can also benefit your mental health. Simply holding the door for someone or giving a compliment can go a long way. 2. Get moving. Exercising regularly can benefit your brain function, reduce anxiety and improve your self-image. 3. Get a good night’s sleep. Fatigued individuals typically experience drowsiness, mood changes, loss of energy and appetite, headaches, and a lack of motivation, concentration and alertness. Strive for seven to eight hours of quality sleep a night. 4. Spend time outdoors. Getting outside, especially when it’s sunny, can greatly improve your mood and ability to focus Seek help from your primary care doctor or a mental health professional if you’re concerned about your mental health. If you need mental health-related crisis support or are worried about someone else, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988 and chatting online at 988lifeline.org. Boosting Your Mental Health Daily Half of people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime.

M A Y 2 0 2 5 L I V E W E L L . W O R K W E L L . N E W S L E T T E R : Comparing Stress and Anxiety Stress and anxiety can both impact your physical and mental health. Each can result in excessive worry, uneasiness, tension, headaches, body pain, high blood pressure, digestive issues, difficulty concentrating and loss of sleep. Although stress and anxiety may present themselves in similar ways, they have key differences. Stress is typically a direct response to a specific external cause, such as an important work project or an argument with a partner, that often dissipates once the situation has been resolved. Stress can also have positive and negative results. It may inspire you to perform well at a meeting while causing you to lose sleep. Since it’s usually caused by a specific event or threat, stress is typically a short-term response; however, it can become a chronic condition. On the other hand, anxiety is a feeling of fear, tension or worry in response to a real or perceived threat. It can be accompanied by an increased heart rate, restlessness, sweating, feelings of dread and faster breathing. It is typically defined by constant and excessive worrying that doesn’t go away, even without an identifiable trigger. Anxiety typically lasts longer than stress because it isn’t linked to a specific situation. Some people only experience anxiety occasionally; for others, frequent anxiety can be a sign of an anxiety disorder. 5 Tips for Better Sleep Hygiene Limit Caffeine Limit afternoon and evening caffeine, as it can disrupt sleep. Opt for herbal teas like chamomile or lavender instead. Avoid Late Night Eating Avoid eating 2–4 hours before bed to prevent indigestion and acid reflux. Reserve Bed For Sleep Reserve your bed for sleep to avoid confusing your mind. Use other spaces for work, eating, or screens. Bedtime Routine Establish a consistent 30–60- minute bedtime routine—like reading or skincare—to signal your brain it's time to wind down. Dim Lights Bright, especially blue, light lowers melatonin. Use warm lighting in the evening and set reminders to dim lights. There are various tips and tricks for practicing better sleep hygiene. By incorporating the following strategies into your routine, you can help create a more restful and rejuvenating experience for yourself.