An important part of our overall health and well-being, mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects how we think, feel, and act in different situations.  Finding ways to maintain and improve good emotional health is important to determining how people handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.  Some approaches to managing emotional health include:

Talk to someone – having someone to talk to, whether it is a health care professional, family member or trusted friend, can provide relief from anxiety and depression.

Exercise – exercise is known to produce endorphins – chemicals in the brain that provide feelings of happiness when released.  Thirty minutes of activity each day can help to relieve stress and lessen anxiety and depression.  Activities can be simple, such as taking a walk or using the stairs at work instead of the elevator.  Spend time outside, if possible, as studies show that time in nature relieves stress, and exposure to sunlight produces vitamin D in the body, which increases serotonin levels in the brain.

Practice gratitude – gratitude is linked to improved well-being and mental health.  Individuals who express gratitude tend to be happier and more content.  Finding instances for which to be grateful and writing them down in a journal can yield long-term benefits for well-being.

Do something for someone else – research shows that being helpful to others has a beneficial effect on how people feel about themselves.  Volunteering at a food pantry, hospital, or charity organization provides a sense of purpose and a feeling of being connected, which can decrease feelings of loneliness and increase happiness.

Prolonged feelings of sadness may be a sign of clinical depression.  A person who is exhibiting feelings of sadness for more than two weeks should talk with their physician about possible treatments, such as psychotherapy and medication.