10 tips to boost your mental health

​“Mental health" refers to your overall psychological well-being. It includes the way you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your ability to manage your feelings and deal with difficulties.

Anyone can experience mental or emotional health problems — and over a lifetime, many of us will. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, one in five Canadians experiences a mental illness in any given year. And by the time Canadians reach 40 years old, one in two people have, or have had, a mental illness.

While the holiday season is a time to enjoy and celebrate, it can also be a time of year when people may experience mental health and substance use challenges. According to Psychology Today, plan ahead, stick to routines, set boundaries, communicate your needs, create new traditions, and prioritize support to help stay on track during the holidays.

While they're not substitutes for advice or care from qualified health professionals (see the end of the article for programs and resources), these tips can help you elevate your mood, become more resilient and enjoy life more.

1. Make social connection — especially face-to-face — a priority

Phone calls and social networks have their place, but few things can beat the stress-busting, mood-boosting power of quality face-to-face time with other people, especially those you love and people who energize you.

Take special care of your mental health if you're feeling lonely, stressed or triggered by holiday-related social events and environments, like holiday parties, family gatherings, gift shopping, and travel. If you, or those close to you, are struggling with mental health and substance use challenges during the holiday season, please reach out for support (see programs and resources at the end of the article).

2. Stay active

Staying active is as good for the brain as it is for the body. Regular exercise or activity can have a major impact on your mental and emotional health, relieve stress, improve memory, and help you sleep better.

3. Talk to someone

Talk to a friendly face. If you have concerns, stresses or worries, sharing these with someone who cares is one of the most effective ways to calm your nervous system and relieve stress. And vice versa: Sometimes listening to others in a safe and supported way can help you develop wider perspectives. It is important that both parties feel comfortable to share and hear each other's thoughts, and if the worries are beyond this, consider speaking to a professional (see programs and resources at the end of the article).

4. Appeal to your senses

Does listening to an uplifting song make you feel calm? Does squeezing a stress ball help you feel centered? What about taking a walk in nature and enjoying the sights and sounds of the trees? Everyone responds to sensory input a little differently, so experiment with healthy sensory inputs (rather than unhealthy sensory inputs) to find what works best for you. 

5. Take up a relaxation practice

Yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing can help reduce overall levels of stress. In the midst of holiday-related chaos, focus on your health and well-being.

6. Make leisure and contemplation a priority

We can all be guilty of being "too busy" to take some downtime, but leisure time is a necessity for emotional and mental health. Take some time to relax, contemplate, and pay attention to the positive things as you go about your day — even the small things. Write them down if you can, because they can be easy to forget. Then reflect on them later if your mood is in need of a boost.

7. Eat a brain-healthy diet to support strong mental health

Foods that may support your mood include beans, legumes (e.g., lentils), fatty fish rich in omega-3s, nuts (e.g., walnuts, almonds, cashews and peanuts), avocados, dark leafy greens (e.g., spinach, kale and Brussels sprouts), and fruit (e.g., blueberries). Dark chocolate has also been found to be potentially beneficial for mental health. For the best dietary and nutritional advice, talk to a registered dietician.

8. Don't skimp on sleep

It matters more than many people think. Sleep is our body and mind's best way to recharge and rejuvenate. One way to get sleep better is to take a break from the stimulation of screens — TV, phones, tablets or computers — in the hours before bedtime. Consider reading or listening to relaxing music instead.

9. Find purpose and meaning

This is different for everyone, but finding purpose in your day is a big factor to good mental health. You might try one of the following:

• Engage in work and play that makes you feel useful
• Invest in relationships and spend quality time with people who matter to you
• Volunteer, which can help enrich your life and make you happier
• Find ways to care for others, which can be as rewarding and meaningful as it is challenging
• Think of one good deed or gesture to do each day

10. Get help if you need it

If you or a loved one needs support, there are many programs and resources available to you:

• Here to Help provides mental health and substance use support for you or someone else.
• HelpStartsHere.gov.bc.ca is an online guide for finding mental health and substance use supports in B.C.
• Virtual mental health supports in B.C.
• BC Crisis Centre is a non-profit, volunteer organization committed to helping people help themselves and others deal with crisis.
• The National Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line provides 24/7 emotional support and crisis intervention services to former students of Residential Schools.
• KUU-US crisis-response service provides 24/7, culturally aware crisis support for Indigenous people in B.C.
• Kids Help Phone offers e-mental health support to young people across Canada that's free and confidential, open 24/7 in English and French, and available via phone, text, chat and more.
• Kelty Mental Health Centre serves children, youth and families.
• Canadian Mental Health Association is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians.
• United Way BC Helpline Services provides information and referrals regarding community, government and social services in B.C.​​