Mental health is discussed more openly than it once was. Unfortunately, the stigmatization of mental health issues caused many people to suffer in silence, without getting the help they needed.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports more than one in five adults in the United States lives with a mental illness, which includes many different conditions that vary from very mild to severe. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health advises that, in any given year, one in five Canadians experiences a mental illness as well, highlighting how common mental illnesses are.

The NIMH notes that self-care plays a significant role in maintaining mental health and supporting recovery. People can safeguard their mental health in various ways, and doing so will also improve their overall well-being.

Spend time in nature.

Nature can have a calming effect on people. Going for a walk can help tame stress and break patterns of negative thinking. In Japan, the concept of forest bathing is said to improve mental health. Forest bathing involves spending time in a forest, or another green area, experiencing the different sounds, sights, and smells that nature offers.

Set boundaries.

B2B Reviews states that 12% of U.S. workers were fully remote in August 2023, increasing to around 14% by 2025. Working from home can make it more challenging to establish firm divisions between work time and personal life. Establishing boundaries means not being available 24/7 for calls or emails, and not feeling guilty about taking time away from work.

Get regular exercise.

Just 30 minutes of exercise daily can help feel-good endorphins flow through the body to boost mood and overall health.

Get more sleep.

Adults generally require between seven and nine hours of sleep for optimal health and deep sleep phases, according to the Mental Health Foundation. Creating a consistent sleep routine that includes going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, avoiding screens before bed, and refraining from caffeine or vigorous exercise late in the day can help improve sleep.

Try relaxing activities.

Relaxing activities can include reading, listening to music, meditation, or low-stress crafts and hobbies. Make time each week for these calming pursuits.

Socialize with others.

Socialization provides opportunities to interact with others and discuss anything you want to share. People feeling stress or anxiety might think they are alone. However, having conversations with others can help illustrate that these are common problems and that there are solutions. Sometimes just talking about an issue can help you overcome it.

Use your vacation time.

Too many people are not using enough of their deserved and accrued time off. A survey from the financial services company Sorbet found that 62% of Americans don’t use all of their paid time off. A Pew Research Center survey found that nearly half of U.S. employees with paid time off take less time than their employers offer. Failure to take time off is a recipe for burnout. Mental health should be a priority.

Safeguarding mental health can involve various self-care techniques that anyone can employ.