We live in a world that often preaches about mental health, and rightly so. Our mental health
is an integral part of our overall wellbeing and we do have a habit of ignoring it.

Visit any private mental health clinic and you’ll find people really struggling, often as a result
of ignoring their challenges and anxieties for too long, eventually it turning into something far
more severe. Therefore, it’s important to check in with our mental health on a regular basis
to ensure that we’re on the right track and there’s nothing we need to address.

There are many ways in which you can do this, all as valuable as each other, so why not
spend a bit of time every few days just assessing your mental health and making sure that
there’s nothing underlying that could cause you problems further down the line?

So, how can you do that?

Check in with Your Emotions

One of the simplest ways to assess your mental health is just checking in with your
emotions. Think about how you’ve been feeling. If you’re feeling regularly overwhelmed,
anxious or irritable, then it might well suggest something isn’t quite right with you. On the
other hand, if you’re feeling happy, life’s good, then you should embrace it and enjoy your
current mental state.

This could be something you do weekly, or even daily with journaling and writing a diary
often good for tracking your emotions over time. If you find negative emotions are becoming
persistent or are appearing on certain days or after certain circumstances, then it could be
worth reaching out and getting some help.

Evaluate Your Sleep Patterns

Sleep can play a huge part in how we’re feeling and disruptions in sleeping patterns can not
only be a sign something is wrong, but also exacerbate anxieties and stresses. Consider
how much you’re sleeping and the quality of sleep you’re getting.

Again, it could be something that you diarise to identify any triggers that are disrupting the
rest you’re getting. Some tips for getting a good night’s sleep include a regular sleep
schedule, avoiding screens before bed, and ensuring you’re not focusing on any stressful
situations. For example, it’s probably not a great idea to have an important conversation with
your partner directly before going to sleep. At the same time, however, it’s also not a great
idea to bottle it in.

Assess Your Social Connections

Loneliness can have a huge impact on our mental health, so consider whether you’re feeling
isolated and the quality and frequency of interactions with friends, family and colleagues.
Ask yourself whether you feel supported, whether you’re respected, and whether you’re
having meaningful interactions with your friends.

Healthy relationships should uplift and energise you rather than being draining so if you start
to notice a bit of a disconnect you might want to reach out to friends to understand why that
is, or even join local groups or social clubs to find more meaningful relationships elsewhere.
It’s so important to stay social. After all, we are social creatures.

Monitor Your Physical Health

Physical health and mental health are so intrinsically linked, so it’s important to note how our
body feels as well as our brain. Things like a balanced diet, regular exercise and getting out
in nature can all have a big boost on our mood and mental clarity.

Things such as a change in appetite, regular headaches or chronic fatigue can all suggest
that there may be something wrong and it could be worth speaking to a medical professional
to explore any underlying conditions.

Gauge Your Ability to Cope with Stress

Life is full of challenges, and how you handle stress is a strong indicator of your mental
health. Reflect on your coping mechanisms: Are they healthy and constructive, such as
practising mindfulness or talking things through with someone you trust? Or have you
developed habits like excessive drinking, overeating, or avoiding problems altogether?
Identifying unhealthy coping strategies is the first step towards adopting better ones.

Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or time management can help you build
resilience. If you feel consistently overwhelmed, seeking professional support can provide
you with tailored strategies to navigate stress more effectively.