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5 Activities to Improve Mental Health

young woman looking at scenic mountain view while hiking with her small dog engaging in one of five activities to improve mental health

Having a healthy mind is important for surviving life’s daily stresses and difficult people that you may encounter at work, at home, or in social settings. Some of the best ways to stay mentally healthy include avoiding using drugs or alcohol to feel better and regularly participating in healthy mental activities. There are several mental health activities that can improve your mood, give your mind a workout, and stave off depressive or anxious feelings. These activities are especially important for people who are living with depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders and prefer a more holistic approach to staying mentally healthy.

At 7 Summit Pathways, our mental health treatment programs include a number of mental health activities, such as group discussions, meditation therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and other beneficial programs. You will work with an experienced therapist who will dive deep into your personal and family history to understand the reasons behind the disorder. They will then teach you a number of healthy coping skills for managing symptoms and triggers and preventing symptoms from worsening due to drug and alcohol abuse. To discover the benefits of our mental health treatment in Florida, call 813.212.7149 today to speak with our helpful team.

What Is Mental Health and Why Is it Important to Understand?

When we talk about mental health, we are describing how our psychological, emotional, and social health impacts the way we interact with people and the world around us. Having good mental health allows people to cope with everyday life and deal with traumatic situations and stressful moments without impacting their overall well-being. Maintaining good mental health can be very difficult at times. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, one in five adults will experience mental illness each year, and one in twenty will experience severe mental illness each year.

Some of the common treatable mental health disorders that impact men and women the most include:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression disorders
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

7 Summit Pathways is here to aid you in your mental health recovery and offers a number of supportive programs to begin your mental health journey. At the start of the program, we will answer any questions you have about what is mental health and what activities you can do to improve it.

5 Mental Health Activities to Improve Your Mental Health

Improving your mental health can be as simple as spending time outdoors enjoying a relaxing picnic with friends, going for a hike, bird watching, or a dozen other fun activities. When looking for new activities, try a wide variety to experience new things, meet new people, and broaden your mind.

Here are five mental health activities that you can do to improve your overall mental health:

1. Gardening

This activity is perfect for all ages and activity levels. You get to dig around in the dirt, which can reduce inflammation, and get some sun, AKA Vitamin D. Plus, you can grow a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet or to sell at local farmers’ markets.

2. Daily Meditation

Meditation has many mental health benefits and can help people develop a better connection to self and focus on the present moment. There are several types of meditation that you can practice daily, including:

  • Mindfulness meditation
  • Spiritual meditation
  • Focused meditation
  • Movement meditation
  • Mantra meditation

There are also quick medication techniques like deep breathing exercises and 5-minute meditation breaks that can help calm you down and focus during difficult moments.

3. Exercising

Going for a brisk walk or hike, going to the gym, and running, biking, or swimming gives your body a good workout and is very beneficial to your mental health. It is a natural stress reliever, burns off pent-up energy, and improves sleep patterns, mental focus, and self-confidence.

4. Reading

Diving into a good book is entertaining, relaxing, and another natural stress reducer. It is more mentally satisfying than watching TV for hours on end and is a great nighttime activity that will help you fall asleep.

5. Expand Your Social Circle

Having an active social life is essential for your overall mental health and can reduce the chance of isolation, loneliness, and depression. The best ways to find new friends and love interests are through clubs and organizations like book clubs, yoga groups, hiking clubs, chess clubs, travel groups, or cooking or artistic classes.

There are hundreds of mental health activities that you can do with friends and on your own, depending on your interests. They say variety is the spice of life, so get out there and try as many fun activities as you can find.

Find Mental Health Treatment in Florida at 7 Summit Pathways

At 7 Summit Pathways, we are a fully accredited treatment center with a full complement of mental health treatment programs to support your mental health. Each treatment program includes a wide mix of therapies to treat all aspects of your health, such as:

If you would like more information about our mental health treatment programs, send us a message online or call 813.212.7149 today to schedule a tour and meet our dedicated team.

Infographic for activities to improve mental health