This is an opportunity to invite you to think about your mental health and how it can affect your relationship with other people you love.

When I started treating people with mild depression and anxiety, I came to a realization that most of the clients had few common complaints. They were all complaining about their relationships with their partners/bosses/parents. The relationship was not working and they thought that something had to be done in order for them to feel better in life. It turns out their mental health was the issue and not the relationships.

Surely you might think that sometimes other people can change their behavior or at least the way they respond to us, but it turns out we are the ones who determine how others behave towards us. If we say always yes, we don’t know how to set boundaries and have low self-esteem, and low confidence turns out humans can sense all of that and it is easier for them to manipulate the situation.

Of course, you might say, and how do I change all that? well, there is no magic pill, it all starts with you.

Firstly we have to understand that the way we think is not the same for everyone around us. We are all unique in a way and have unique ways of processing thinking and deciding. Understanding that you are unique is fundamental to making logic around the world. If we all had the same parents, same teachers, friends, and experiences in life we would still be different. Imagine 2 children from the same family. They both had the same parents, but they are so different from each other, and that is the blessing that we all carry in this world. We all have unique gifts to give to the world.

So moving now to the next on the list that is to find a purpose in life. How? you may ask. Again the answer is within you. You have to identify your own skills and talents. usually, the easiest way to do this is to see what we do so much easier than others, without too much effort. If you can identify one congratulations! You now know one gift that you have and can use to help the world become a better place!

And of course, I will also include some tips for general well-being.

Number one on the list starts with sleep. Sleep is the number one priority you have to make on your list to improve your mental state. Improving the quality of your sleep can dramatically improve your mental health. Aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night!

2. Social media. What we see on social media it is far from the truth. The way people present themselves is actually not very accurate on social media and that is something you need to make a note of. You only see a snapshot of their day. Most individuals are using social media to promote their businesses. This is something most of us are unaware of unless you had some marketing class!

3. Exercise and food choices! Okay, I know this you probably heard it many times. But it is crucial for your mental health. How often you exercise and what foods you eat can play a role in your mental state. Avoiding processed foods, and increasing your intake of whole foods, fruits, and vegetables alongside protein is another way to improve your mood! Omega 3 from fatty fish has proven to be the number one food choice that can have a positive effect on your happiness!

4. Caffeine! Yes! That’s right! If you are overdoing caffeine it can have the opposite effect that you desire. The mental clarity that you crave from caffeine can turn to anxiety and panic attacks and that will have an effect on your mental health. Limiting your caffeine intake daily can help you achieve high-quality sleep and also become more productive as a result of that!

5. Your Social Life! Being too restricted with work can have a negative impact on our mental health. You have to make sure that your social life is on the list of your priorities. It’s all about balance! Meeting a friend for a coffee, going to a gathering, and exchanging ideas is an ancient activity that humans have used to express themselves. Turns out that this habit can increase your overall happiness! Finding people that you enjoy spending time with and making you laugh is the secret!

That’s all for today. I wish you start looking at ways to improve your mental health and start with you!

And don’t forget, when things are not easy, you may need a little help from a professional. That is ok too!

With love,

Antonios