Mental Health: What Your Everyday Habits May Be Doing to Your Mind

What if some of the things you do every day are quietly supporting your mental health, or quietly working against it? Mental health isn't just about mental illness. It's also about how we cope, connect, function, rest and navigate everyday life. And while our habits don't determine our mental health on their own, they can play an important role in our overall well-being. In this episode, we take a closer look at some of the everyday habits that may influence the way we feel, think and cope, including sleep, physical activity, nutrition, among others. Key Takeaway: You don't have to overhaul your entire life to start taking better care of your mind. Small, healthy habits are a start. ***You can find the full list of researched references and further readings below. Main Discussion Points Why sleep and mental health are closely connected. What your everyday eating pattern may have to do with brain health The difference between normal stress and living in a state of constant stress Why healthy habits are not a substitute for professional mental health care. Related Episode: Is Your Lifestyle Quietly Damaging Your Brain? Sleepmaxxing - Optimizing Sleep Like A Hacker You’re Sleeping… But Are You Resting? Can You Really Catch Up On Sleep Over The Weekend? Stress Is Normal - But What It's Doing to Your Body Isn’t Is Loneliness a Health Risk? Ultra-Processed Foods: How Much Is Too Much? 5-Minute Habits That Actually Work Eating Like You Care, Even When You Are Busy Stay in the Know: *** Subscribe to the blog's newsletter to stay informed and enjoy additional health and wellness topics. Things you can do right now to improve your health Resources/Freebies: 1. Helpful Blog Posts/Videos: Exercise and Mental Health Longevity Habits from the World's Blue Zones The Mediterranean Diet Exercise is More Than Weight Loss Zone to Zone Cardio for Metabolic Health 2. Almonds and Olivez Wellness Blog 3. Almonds and Olivez YouTube Channel References and Further Readings Cena H, Calder PC. Defining a Healthy Diet: Evidence for The Role of Contemporary Dietary Patterns in Health and Disease. Nutrients. 2020 Jan 27;12(2):334. Gautam S, Jain A, Chaudhary J, Gautam M, Gaur M, Grover S. Concept of mental health and mental well-being, its determinants and coping strategies. Indian J Psychiatry. 2024 Jan;66(Suppl 2): S231-S244. Hossain MN, Lee J, Choi H, Kwak YS, Kim J. The i