In the Know
Welcome to our “In the Know” series! A one minute read on the latest research once a month delivered straight to your inbox.
What exactly IS mental health? From the American Psychological Association, it’s “a state of mind characterized by emotional well-being, good behavioral adjustment, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms, and a capacity to establish constructive relationships and cope with the ordinary demands and stresses of life.”
One key factor in developing and maintaining good mental health is resilience, the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress. Read on for some quick tips on building it!
Connect. Prioritize relationships and build your connections. Talking and being with others who are trustworthy, empathic, and compassionate can be key during times of distress.
Take care of physical health. Stress is just as much physical as it is emotional. That means (yep, you guessed it!) diet, hydration, exercise, and sleep can actually strengthen your body’s adaptation to stress. And that helps your emotional well-being. (Hint: try meditation and avoid substance use.)
Help others. You can garner a sense of purpose, foster self-worth, connect with other people, and tangibly help others, all of which can empower you to grow in resilience. (Think volunteering.)
Think positive. Our thoughts really do influence our mental and physical health. Try to remind yourself that change happens. Stay focused on your goals and use what you have learned in the past to help you move through a tough time.
https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/building-your-resilience
Written by: Allison L. Sallee, PhD, LP, LMFT-S