5 Habits That Boost Mental Health by Heather Flaherty, LSW

Mental health habits involve practices that support emotional and psychological well-being.

These can include regular exercise, sufficient sleep, mindfulness activities, social connections, and seeking professional support when needed.

Engaging in such habits helps manage stress, reduce anxiety, and improve overall mental resilience.

Establishing a routine that prioritizes mental health contributes to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Here are five habits that can truly help!

1.Sleep

Believe it or not but sleep is one of the most important elements to your mental health. Getting enough quality sleep not only helps your physical body, but also your mental health by aiding the brain with its processing of emotional information.

2. Self Compassion

We can be hard on ourselves, self-criticism and perfectionism can lead quickly to depression and anxiety. The change is not to set your bar lower, but instead being kind to yourself as you navigate life's challenges. Speak to yourself as you would a dear friend.

3. Meaningful and Purpose

It’s difficult to control happiness, or even to create it within ourselves. Meaning and purpose, however, are a little easier to control. Start by identifying your values, and get to know them. Look for meaningful moments. Listen to others with focus. Be the best version of yourself and get outside!

4. Exercise and Nutrition

Did you know your gut is considered the "second brain". It has so many neurotransmitters within it that proves food really does affect mood. And of course exercise both elevates mood immediately, and also is a preventative action against a sedentary lifestyle which can cause depression and anxiety.

5. Social Connection

Humans need social connection, we are social creatures. Being connected helps us feel part of the world around us and also aids us in tolerating stress better than we would alone. Work to create and maintain community, your sense of self and spirit will thank you.

Jessyka Venchkoski, LCSW | Lukin Center, Bergen County Moms — Heather Flaherty, LSW | Lukin Center

Heather Flaherty, LSW, is a psychotherapist at Lukin Center for Psychotherapy, specializing in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, psychosocial stressors, interpersonal difficulties, and life transitions for teens, young adults, and adults. She further specializes in working with survivors of sexual assault and abuse, and domestic violence, as well as clients navigating sexual and gender identity.

Believing in a collaborative client relationship, supported by an unconditional regard and safe-space, Heather uses therapeutic modalities that partner with a trauma-informed framework, curating a method that is specific to each client’s unique life experience. Her approach is strength-based, solution-focused, and trauma-informed, while using cognitive-behavioral and attachment-based methodologies.

Heather has specialized experience working in crisis response, intervention, and support with survivors of sexual assault, abuse, and domestic violence. She also worked extensively in a number of specialized mental-health partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient programs, where she refined many of her clinical skills providing individual, group, and family therapy, as well as addiction support. In addition, Heather continues to work for the advocacy and advancement of diverse and marginalized populations.

Focusing in direct clinical practice and diagnoses, Heather earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Rutgers University.