The short answer—yes! Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. When you’re seeking ways to improve your health and optimize it, you need to pay close attention to both.

That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina wants to share some insight into ways you can promote positive mental health. Read on as we take a look.

How Can I Improve My Mental Health?

You can improve your mental health in many of the same ways you would improve your physical health. In fact, healthy lifestyle habits promote both good physical health and good mental health.

Exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, aim for between seven and nine hours of quality sleep each night, don’t smoke, limit your consumption of alcohol, and practice stress management techniques. It’s also important to have regular checkups to talk with a doctor about all aspects of your health.

Main Causes of Mental Health Disorders

• Childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect
• Social isolation or loneliness
• Experiencing discrimination and stigma
• Social disadvantage, poverty or debt
• Bereavement
• Severe or long-term stress
• Having a long-term physical health condition
• Unemployment or losing your job

How Does Exercise Help With Mental Health?

You know that physical activity helps promote good physical health by getting your heart pumping. This helps protect your heart, your brain and all parts in between! But regular exercise also benefits your mental health.

That’s because when you participate in physical activity, your body releases positive endorphins. These endorphins help keep your mood balanced and fend off stress, which results in balanced mental health. What you eat can also promote positive mental health, so fill your plate with some of these known mental health superfoods:

Foods That Benefit Mental Health

• Whole grains
• Legumes
• Fruits
• Veggies
• Fatty fish, like salmon or albacore tuna
• Healthy fats, such as raw nuts and olive oil

Our mission at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina is to provide affordable, high-quality health care to those across the state of North Carolina!