As a society, we have long been reluctant to openly address mental health. When we think about health and wellbeing, we usually focus on physical health, overshadowing the fact that mental and physical health are deeply interconnected—what affects one inevitably impacts the other.

Still, for many people, the idea of seeking help for mental health, while more accepted now than it used to be, feels like something far out of reach. Here’s another thing: when we talk about mental health, we often default to thinking about dysfunctions or illnesses. Yes, mental health does include the challenges and disorders, but it’s also about so much more than that. It’s about how we manage stress, how we connect with others, how we show up for ourselves in everyday life.

Despite growing awareness, many misconceptions about mental health remain. Let’s explore what it truly means to care for our minds, just as we do for our bodies.

What Is Mental Health?

Your mental health is your level of psychological, emotional, and social well-being, influencing how you think, feel, and act. It determines how you:

Handle emotions like stress, sadness, and anger, and how well you manage feeling overwhelmed.
Bounce back from tough times and find your footing again after setbacks.
Build and maintain meaningful relationships with the people who matter to you.
Manage stress by adopting healthy coping strategies instead of unhealthy ones.
Find purpose and meaning in your life through work, relationships, or personal passions.
Take care of your body and respond to its needs with attention and care.

Factors Affecting Mental Health

The factors that affect your mental health can be grouped into three main areas: individual, social, and structural influences.

Individual Factors

If mental health conditions like anxiety or depression run in your family, you may be more predisposed to experiencing similar challenges. Your brain chemistry, particularly levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin or dopamine, can significantly influence your mood, behavior, and ability to manage stress. Past experiences, such as childhood trauma, can shape how you perceive the world and affect how well you cope with stress. Additionally, your lifestyle choices—such as how you manage sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and substance use—can either strengthen or weaken your mental health.

Social Factors

The quality of your relationships with family, friends, and your partner, along with the strength of your support system during tough times, can either make you feel supported or leave you feeling isolated. Your workplace environment also plays a big role—factors like job pressure, workplace dynamics, and the level of work-life balance can significantly impact your mental health. In cultures where there is stigma around mental health, it can be even harder to talk openly about your struggles, which may lead to reluctance and feelings of shame to get help.

Structural Factors

Financial stress, unemployment, and poverty are strongly linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression. Poor housing, unsafe environments, and lack of clean water create chronic stress that impacts mental health. Natural disasters, pollution, and unsafe communities increase risks of trauma and stress-related conditions. Discrimination, such as racism and sexism, along with systemic barriers like income inequality and limited access to healthcare, adds to chronic stress and deepens mental health disparities.

Easy Ways to Strengthen Your Mental Health Every Day

Good mental health reduces the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and strengthens your immune system. It also boosts productivity and focus at work while enhancing relationships and overall life satisfaction. Here are five habits you can start building to boost your mental health.

Movement

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones, which naturally improve your mood. At the same time, it lowers cortisol, the primary stress hormone, helping you feel less stressed and more relaxed. Physical activity also increases blood flow to your brain, which supports better cognitive functions like memory, focus, and decision-making, making you feel more mentally clear and balanced. Research also suggests that physical activity effectively improves symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Take a 10-minute brisk walk outside or do a short workout routine at home. Even small bursts of movement and literally shaking it off can help.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

It has been consistently proven that getting good sleep reduces feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. This is because during sleep, cortisol levels decrease naturally and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep helps the brain process emotions reducing distress.

Set a consistent bedtime routine, avoid using screens an hour before bed and after you wake up, and wind down with a calming activity like reading or journaling.

Connect with Others

A simple chat, a phone call, or spending time with loved ones can make a huge difference for your mental well-being. This interaction provides emotional support, reduces stress, and creates a sense of belonging. Feeling connected helps combat loneliness, and can even protect against depression and anxiety. Socializing also keeps your mind sharp, as engaging conversations stimulate cognitive functions.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness practices, particularly mindful breathing, can help you increase awareness of your thoughts and emotions, and manage them better. It also helps relax your body and improve focus and clarity.

Practice box breathing, a simple 5-minute mindful breathing exercise. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breath as you inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, and then hold again for 4 counts.

Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude activates key areas of the brain, which are involved in decision-making, social behavior, and emotional regulation. It also stimulates the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which help improve mood, reduce stress, and strengthen social connections.

Write down three things you’re grateful for each day, whether big or small, and reflect on why they matter to you.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health Starts with Small, Consistent Habits

Taking care of your mental health starts with small, consistent habits—but those small steps can lead to big changes. When you prioritize movement, mindfulness, connection, healthy living, and gratitude, you’re not just building habits; you’re building a life that’s resilient and balanced. Start today, even if it’s just a 10-minute walk or a moment of gratitude. Every step forward is a step toward a stronger, healthier you.

PHQ 9 Assessment

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by little interest or pleasure in doing things.