10 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on November 19, 2024
10 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on November 19, 2024
Stress, anxiety, fear and anger are universal emotions we all experience. However, if not effectively recognized and managed, these feelings can lead to other more serious emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including heart disease and high blood pressure.
As part of our mission to improve the overall wellbeing of Canadians, we’ve compiled a Top 10 list, based on the expert advice of our trusted health care partners, to help you protect your mental health.
1. Maintain healthy habits
Eat well. Exercise regularly. Get enough sleep. All are smart health habits that can reduce stress and anxiety and prevent small health issues from turning into big ones. For women, paying attention to nutrition during different life stages, such as pregnancy or menopause, is particularly important.
2. Keep in touch
Staying connected is a powerful tool to help boost our mental health and that of others. Reach out to friends, neighbours and family members for mental health check-ins on a regular basis. A simple phone call, FaceTime session or thoughtful text can go a long way in helping you get through a difficult time.
3. Find a balance
While it’s important to be informed, spending excessive amounts of time reading negative news online, also known as “doomscrolling”, can really take a toll on our mental health. Follow the news and social media in moderation and get your information from trusted, credible sources.
1. Maintain healthy habits
Eat well. Exercise regularly. Get enough sleep. All are smart health habits that can reduce stress and anxiety and prevent small health issues from turning into big ones. For women, paying attention to nutrition during different life stages, such as pregnancy or menopause, is particularly important.
2. Keep in touch
Staying connected is a powerful tool to help boost our mental health and that of others. Reach out to friends, neighbours and family members for mental health check-ins on a regular basis. A simple phone call, FaceTime session or thoughtful text can go a long way in helping you get through a difficult time.
3. Find a balance
While it’s important to be informed, spending excessive amounts of time reading negative news online, also known as “doomscrolling”, can really take a toll on our mental health. Follow the news and social media in moderation and get your information from trusted, credible sources.
4. Do everything in moderation
Limit your screen time to lower your levels of stress and anxiety. Also, moderate caffeine intake. Too much java, especially before bedtime, can make your heart race and interfere with sleep.
5. Practice self-care
Prioritize your health and well-being by incorporating some 'me time' for rest and rejuvenation. Explore self-care strategies like mindfulness, yoga, meditation, art, or exercise to help manage low mood, stress and anxiety.
6. Be kind to yourself
During difficult times, know you’re not alone. Times of sadness, stress or uncertainty are times to lean on others for support. Talk to someone you trust. Sharing your feelings can help put things into perspective, offer a sense of connection and help you feel more positive. Notably, women often face societal pressure to "do it all" - remember it's okay to ask for help and set boundaries.
7. Stick to a routine
Keep healthy routines as much as possible while ensuring a good balance of working, playing and relaxing. Having structure can keep your mind focused on day-to-day activities, reduce stress and create a sense of accomplishment.
4. Do everything in moderation
Limit your screen time to lower your levels of stress and anxiety. Also, moderate caffeine intake. Too much java, especially before bedtime, can make your heart race and interfere with sleep.
5. Practice self-care
Prioritize your health and well-being by incorporating some 'me time' for rest and rejuvenation. Explore self-care strategies like mindfulness, yoga, meditation, art, or exercise to help manage low mood, stress and anxiety.
6. Be kind to yourself
During difficult times, know you’re not alone. Times of sadness, stress or uncertainty are times to lean on others for support. Talk to someone you trust. Sharing your feelings can help put things into perspective, offer a sense of connection and help you feel more positive. Notably, women often face societal pressure to "do it all" - remember it's okay to ask for help and set boundaries.
7. Stick to a routine
Keep healthy routines as much as possible while ensuring a good balance of working, playing and relaxing. Having structure can keep your mind focused on day-to-day activities, reduce stress and create a sense of accomplishment.
8. Focus on loved ones
Focusing on friends and family is an easy way to positively impact one's mental health. It can establish a nurturing support system, reduce feelings of loneliness, and offer stress relief through enjoyable shared experiences.
9. Do what feels good
What gives you happiness? Is it reading, listening to music, chatting with a friend, or playing an instrument? All the activities that “spark joy” in your life, as well as the coping skills that have helped you get through tough times before, can form your coping strategy.
10. Seek support
If your mental health symptoms are causing you significant distress or interfering with your ability to function normally, it may be time to get expert help.
8. Focus on loved ones
Focusing on friends and family is an easy way to positively impact one's mental health. It can establish a nurturing support system, reduce feelings of loneliness, and offer stress relief through enjoyable shared experiences.
9. Do what feels good
What gives you happiness? Is it reading, listening to music, chatting with a friend, or playing an instrument? All the activities that “spark joy” in your life, as well as the coping skills that have helped you get through tough times before, can form your coping strategy.
10. Seek support
If your mental health symptoms are causing you significant distress or interfering with your ability to function normally, it may be time to get expert help.
Women-specific concerns
Women may face unique mental health challenges related to hormonal changes, pregnancy, postpartum depression, or menopause. Don't hesitate to seek professional help for these specific issues. Remember, your experiences are valid and deserving of attention.
Visit our Women’s Health page to discover specially designed health solutions that recognize the unique health needs of every woman, in every stage of life.
Our mental health resources
As one of Canada’s leading health solutions partners, we offer a variety of online options to give you quick and easy access to expert care — without having to leave the house.
Our digital care platform, Connected Care, offers several Mental Wellness services and supports, including Digital and Text Therapy, which can connect you with a dedicated therapist for guidance and support online.
You can also find a comprehensive list of mental health tools and resources on our website. These range from our Employee and Family Assistance Program, inConfidence, to our wellness portal, Health Connected.
Remember: Even if you don’t have family or friends close by, you are never alone. Go online to check out the mental health offering available through your health insurance plan. Help may be just a call or a few clicks away.
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Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...