Improving Health is more than just watching what you eat and getting more exercise. For overall good health, you should also pay attention to your Mental Health. Poor mental health leads to stress, issues with focus, and a general feeling of unhappiness. Though some stress can be helpful and provide the boost we need to get through a tough exam or meet a deadline, too much stress can result in more serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

While the majority of people know that mental health is important to overall well-being, others do very little to make it a priority in our lives. Luckily, it isn’t as difficult as you might think. Here are a few things you can do every day to prioritize your mental health.

Connect with Others

Spend some quality in-person time with people you trust and care about. They could be friends, family members, or even a support group. You may even want to expand your social circle to include others in your community. Volunteering your time to an organization you care about or signing up for a class as a way to connect with others are two other great ways to strengthen your mental health.

Exercise

Exercise will not only improve your physical health, but it can also have a positive effect on your mental health. It doesn’t matter what you do—join a gym, work out at home, take a yoga class, go for a run, or take a walk. Even a short, 10-minute walk around the block can help improve your mood.

Learn to Say “No”

This could be tough for those who want to help others, but doing too much can cause unnecessary stress, which could be harmful to your mental health. This doesn’t mean you should say no to everything, of course, but rather agree to do only the things you truly enjoy.

Get Enough Sleep

Stress and anxiety can affect your sleep quality and longevity. Most people need at least eight hours of sleep each night. To ensure you’re getting enough rest, you can create a bedtime routine. Set a schedule and try to stick to it. Turn off your computer, cell phone, and tablet 30 minutes before bedtime and watch how much caffeine and alcohol you’re consuming, as both can affect sleep.

Meditate

Meditation can ease stress and anxiety by helping you to focus and relax. Just like exercise, even a brief period of meditation can have immediate benefits. Aim to meditate for 10 minutes in the morning or right before you go to sleep.

Start a Gratitude Journal

You don’t have to write down every aspect of every day. Simply jotting down a few things you’re thankful for each day can bring a new and fresh perspective. Look for those things you appreciate about the people, places, and events in your life. Make sure to also include things about yourself in your gratitude journal.

Focusing and prioritizing your mental health, in addition to physical health, will work wonders for your overall well-being. Take a look at some of the tips above and see which ones you can work into your life.

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