Thriving Inside and Out: Your Roadmap to Mental and Behavioral Health
April 15th, 2024 | 3 min. read
Behavioral and mental health are often used interchangeably. Our behavior can influence our thoughts, and our thoughts can influence our behaviors. So, what’s the difference?
Mental health relates to a person’s state of mind.
Behavioral health relates to a person’s state of mind as well as their physical condition.
It’s common for mental and behavioral health disorders to co-occur and affect an individual at one time. Let’s dig into each.
Mental health
Mental health includes your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how you think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how you handle stress, relate to others, and make choices for effective functioning in daily activities.
Research shows that mental health conditions are not the result of one event but rather multiple causes. For example, a stressful job or home life makes more people more susceptible to mental health conditions. Similarly, genetic and biological factors also play a role.
Did you know? It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with
a mental illness, meaning there is no shame in asking for help.
Behavioral health
Behavioral health is the connection between behavior’s impact and the health and well-being of the body, mind, and spirit. It includes the relationship between our daily habits (good and bad) and their effect on physical and mental health.
Ideally, good habits (healthy diet, exercise, and sleep routines) result in the best balance between good mental and physical health.
Want to learn more? Reach out to your provider.
Finding support
If you or anyone you know is suffering from a mental health condition, seek help from a medical professional, such as your primary care provider.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call these numbers:
National suicide prevention lifeline: text or call 988
National alliance on mental illness helpline: 1-880-950-NAMI
Self-care and wellness practices that support mental health
Create balance
Balance means taking time to do things that make you feel happy and fulfilled. We all have individual needs, preferences, and capabilities so “balance” will look different for everyone.
It’s important to re-balance from time to time to adjust to what is going on in your life. Finding time to relax can provide the space needed to think through a situation, work through your feelings, or allow your mind and body to rest.
Prioritize valued activities
Values are things that you feel are important. Prioritizing values helps build resilience by shifting focus towards activities that have personal meaning for you. An example could be scheduling time for low-stress hobbies or other healthy activities you enjoy.
Embrace support from others
Each stage of life can create different challenges to good mental health. Talking with someone who has similar feelings and experiences, while being able to move forward and grow, can help you feel less alone and give you confidence to move forward. Sources of support may include:
- Family & friends
- Co-works & support groups
- Help lines & professional care
Get regular physical exercise
Physical movement can have a positive effect on stress, anxiety, and sleep. It releases feel-good endorphins and other natural brain chemicals to improve your overall mood. Just 30 minutes of activity every day can boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time.
Eat healthy and stay hydrated
Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants at regular meal times, along with drinking plenty of water, can improve your energy and focus throughout the day.
Multiple studies have found a connection between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function, and even a worsening of mood disorder symptoms. Try eating a “clean” diet for two to three weeks, cutting out all processed foods and sugar, and see how you feel!
Make sleep a priority
Sleep increases physical and mental performance, allows the brain and body to recover, and balances chemicals that regulate hunger and mood. Adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Create good sleep habits with a regular bedtime routine that helps you unwind. Turn down the lights, stretch, read, journal, meditate, pray, or sip on some decaf tea. Avoid physical activity, large meals, caffeine, alcohol, and screen time before bed.
Want to learn more?
Contact your provider to learn ways to make healthy behavior changes today!