This Month’s Focus: Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness month. This year, the Mental Health America’s (MHA) campaign is focused on how surroundings impact mental health. It’s calling for individuals to Look Around, Look Within.
By the Numbers
The power of pets
Did you know? Pet owners over the age 65 make 30% fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.
Playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine (keeping you calm and relaxed). In addition, pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets and have lower blood pressure.
Source: HelpGuide.org – Boosting Benefits of Pets
Detail
There is a connection between the environment or surroundings and your mental health. The Mental Health America (MHA) association provides some tips on having healthy home environments.
- Practicing tidiness: Keeping your living space clean can promote overall calmness. Neatness decreases brain fatigue and anxiety because of the less time spent looking for items.
- Sleep Hygiene: Poor sleep hygiene and excessive noise worsens mental health challenges and impacts your physical health as well. Ideal sleeping temperature is 60-67 F. Put the phone away when you sleep!
- Get an air purifier: Good air quality can raise the oxygen levels in your brain which helps with your mood and level of focus. Exposure to above-average levels of air pollution have been linked to more symptoms and behaviors associated with mental health challenges.
For more info, check out MHA’s campaign, Look Around, Look Within.
Reads & Soundbits
- Podcast: Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
- Podcast: Self Care IRL by Ty Alexander
- Read: It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn
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