How to take care of your mental health in 2020

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not just the absence of conditions or diseases."

Even though people have been paying more attention to their mental health during the last decade, due to a large amount of attention drawn to the topic, the landscape is still very dark. 

According to WHO, there are currently around 450 million people worldwide with some type of mental disorder and, by 2020, depression is expected to be the second source of disability in people. 

There are several things you can do to improve your mental health in 2020, but here are listed some of the easiest ones so you can create better habits next year: 

1. Breathe consciously

Breathing consciously is one of the most commonly told in mindfulness, understood as a mental state achieved by focusing on the present moment, accepting your feelings, sensations, and thoughts. Breathe ten minutes every day putting your attention on how the air travels through your body and pushing away any thought, good or bad, that you may find while doing so. 

2. Go to the psychologist

The medicine should always be preventive and you do not have to wait until you can´t get out of bed to reach for help. Even if you do not suffer from an emotional disorder, going to a psychologist is the best option if you find yourself mentally exhausted, overwhelmed by emotions, without any purpose in life or unable to make decisions. Leave behind all the prejudices that have been built around mental health and take care of yourself.

Also read: 5 reasons to make a solo travel in 2020

3. Leave negative people behind

If you are feeling down, one of the best things you can do is surround yourself well. Leave negative people, those that make you feel guilty for your emotions, those that do not support you, in 2019. If you don`t want to go to therapy yet, you can start by telling your family or friends how you are feeling, so being well accompanied is important. 

4. Do what you like

To improve your mental health in 2020 you have to start doing what you like, those things that make you feel good with yourself and that you always find yourself smiling when you are doing. Grab a book, go to concerts, dance, sing, find whatever you like and do it as much as you can.  

5. Eat well and exercise

Yes, it is necessary. As I said at the beginning, health is a balance of all aspects of your life, so taking care of your physical health is important as well. Do not cut all the things you like, but start doing small changes to your diet and moving your body by walking 20 minutes a day.