Mental Wellness Basics: Simple Steps to Maintain Your Health

By YA Weekly staff

Church Magazines

Your spiritual, physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health are interconnected.

an illustration of a women watering flowers growing out of her head

“How’s your mental health?”

This question can be tough to answer truthfully! Many of us struggle with diagnosed mental illnesses like clinical depression, anxiety, or mood disorders that affect our day-to-day life. Others may feel sad during difficult times or anxious before big events like a job interview, a date, or a big test.

While some factors affecting our mental well-being are beyond our control, many things are within our power to manage, helping us maintain emotional resilience.

“A little personal attention in the midst of all of the other external demands, for me, has been a key,” President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught. “You can’t spend a lot of time, but the quality of what you do can be high in terms of your own spiritual and emotional and physical renewal.”

Small, intentional changes can lead to big improvements over time. After all, “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6).

Here are some areas to focus on that can make a significant difference for your mental health:

Physical Health

To start: exercise. We know, you’ve heard this a thousand times, but hear us out! It’s no secret that physical activity can do wonders for our brains.

Elder Jörg Klebingat of the Seventy recently told young adults:

“I have learned that exercising and commanding your body into submission to your spirit by sheer willpower and discipline can also help you keep the other commandments.”

Exercise doesn’t have to be intense. A daily 20-minute walk or other simple activities that get you moving can be beneficial. Other physical aspects of maintaining your mental health include:

Getting direct sunlight each day.
Eating nourishing foods.
Prioritizing sleep.
Being mindful of how you treat your body.

Ask Heavenly Father for help and focus on doing one percent better each day. Track your progress to notice shifts in mood and stress levels.

Spiritual Health

Your mental and spiritual health are deeply connected. Through our baptismal covenant, we have access to the Holy Ghost, also known as the Comforter (see John 14:26), to help us navigate life’s challenges. The Spirit can help us connect to the Lord through:

Sincere prayer.
Scripture study.
Temple worship.
Fasting.
Family history work.
Ministering.

President Russell M. Nelson taught: “As we strive to live the higher laws of Jesus Christ, our hearts and our very natures begin to change. The Savior lifts us above the pull of this fallen world by blessing us with greater charity, humility, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, peace, and rest.”

Consider which spiritual habits you can develop to connect more deeply with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Social Health

Are you reaching out to others? Or are you spending most of your time alone? Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, meaningful in-person connections with others are vital for maintaining positive mental health. Loneliness is a growing issue, especially among young adults.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counseled: “For young people, consider your gatherings of holy people: quorums and classes, … ward and stake activities—even ward choirs. Choose to be with people and go to places where righteousness is found. Find your strength in numbers. Find good friends. Be good friends. Support one another wherever you are.”

Here are some ideas to help you find deeper connection:

Attend institute
Go to ward or branch activities
Attend YSA conferences in your area
Start a Come, Follow Me study group (even online!)
Create a book club or a monthly get-together with friends who have common interests
Join a sports team or start volunteering

Healthy Coping Skills

How do you cope with difficult emotions? Distracting yourself through video games, junk food, or overloading your schedule might seem helpful but can be counterproductive. Here are some healthy alternatives:

Journaling
Talking to someone you love
Meditating
Spending time in nature
Listening to calming music
Doing deep breathing exercises

Regularly reflect on your coping strategies and make adjustments to support your mental health in the long run.

An Ongoing Process

Mental wellness is an ongoing journey. As we grow, we can revisit how we manage our emotions and adjust which tools we want to keep and which to replace. But no matter where we are, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ is with us, offering guidance and support every step of the way.