The month of May is dedicated to mental health awareness. As high schoolers, most of the mental health issues we endure are due to school, friends, and our lives in general. Mental health awareness is the recognition that our psychological well-being is a crucial part of our health, productivity, and happiness. But how can we strive for better mental health?

There are seven practical ways to take care of your mental health. 

The first way is to talk about your feelings. The first step in fixing mental health is to acknowledge that it is a huge part of your life. Talking your way through your feelings can help you stay in a good space and deal with times when you are troubled or feeling negative feelings. 

Another way to improve your mental health is to keep active and fit. Regular exercise can not only help you concentrate and sleep, but can help boost your self-esteem and how you see yourself. As we all know, exercise is already a huge part of taking care of ourselves physically, but an even bigger part of taking care of ourselves mentally. 

Eating well is vital. What goes into your body helps you feel either productive or crappy the next morning. A healthy balanced diet includes fruits and veggies, whole grain cereals or bread, nuts, dairy products, and plenty of water. Anything that’s good for your physical health is also great for your mental health. 

Staying connected to the outside world is also crucial. Yes, high schoolers are bombarded with work from all sorts of classes and sports activities as well as other extracurriculars, but this doesn’t mean you can’t make time to see friends and relatives. Keeping in touch with people is equally important. Communicating with others, preferably face to face, can make a huge impact on your mental health and activity. 

When you feel a strain on your mental health because of too many things to do or having to work harder in school, asking for help is actually a strength, not a weakness. Knowing when to ask for help is a benefit because no one can do it all. If you feel tired, ask someone for help. Friends and family members may be able to help you with your problems. 

Take a break. Sometimes taking a deep breath or going on a short walk can help take your mind off of something that is pressuring you. A change of scene can lighten the mood and help you rethink whatever might be bothering you. 

If you are having trouble with something you aren’t that great at, a way to convince yourself that you will be able to conquer that aspect is to do something you’re good at. This way, you can learn that you will be able to do anything and it can help you beat stress. You will also be able to enjoy yourself!

Millions of people in the U.S. are affected by mental stress and illness each year. One in seven teenagers experiences mental illness due to stress. The main causes are depression and anxiety. According to a study, about 20% of all teens experience depression before they even reach adulthood. 

This is why you should take at least ten minutes out of your day and apply it to these things and many more that you may do to decrease mental stress in your life.