What do you think of when you hear “mental wellness”? You might think this defines a state of constant happiness. But it’s more than that. The key to mental wellness is—instead of staying consistently happy, it is passing through many life events and emotions with a sense of balance.

The World Health Organization provides a mental wellness definition: “A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” This definition says nothing about happiness and it most certainly doesn’t define it as the absence of mental illness. Rather, mental wellness means you are able to adequately cope with the stresses life throws at you, from the simple stresses to the complicated stresses. It’s living the balance between your emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental self.

With the new year just getting started, it is a great time to implement some things into your life that can boost your mental wellness and start your year off right. The key to boosting mental wellness is about focusing on different areas of your life, but doing so one at a time. One week you could focus on practicing living “in the moment”, while the next you could focus on resting and relaxation. Taking breaks when you need to. The lack of rest, both physically and mentally, can lead to burnout and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Mix it up, with the intention of focusing on developing your mental wellness.

Here are five suggestions to get you started on your journey of mental wellness.

One, feed your brain. You dietary health is important and nourishes your brain. Find out what foods make you feel best and stick to them.

Two, exercise. Exercise triggers endorphins, the ‘feel good’ chemical. Try to get in at least 15 minutes of exercise a day. 

Three, get enough sleep and stick to a sleep schedule. Most adults need 7–9 hours of sleep. If you have trouble with sleep, it may help to create morning and nighttime routines around sleep. Do activities that can provide rest, such as stretching, journaling, showering, reading, or any activity that helps you wind down at night and wake up rested in the morning.

Four, engage in hobbies or activities that you excel at. Painting, music, jogging, etc. If you don’t know what you’re good at, explore all kinds of hobbies and passions until you find something that clicks.

And lastly, ask for help. No matter what you’re going through, big or small, you’re not alone. Don’t feel like you have to be strong and push through your issues; make sure you have a strong support network, or healthcare professional, to talk it out.

Cloud Peak Counseling has a 24 hour on-call service and we have a walk-in clinic Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 1-4 p.m. that is free to the public.

While there is no magic formula to mental wellness, there are many different tools and strategies at your disposal. Not all of them will work for you, but trying multiple techniques will help you find your own secret formula for success. Don’t give up, your mental wellness is worth it!