The following are the important measures to improve mental health.
(i) Diet : The saying goes truly "What you eat, that you belch." or "You think as per what you eat." According to these sayings, an individual's diet determines his mental health. For good mental health, an individual should eat balanced diet which includes required amount of minerals and proteins so that body gets appropriate amount of nutritive elements. Depending upon the requirements of the body, we should consume diet with less fat and sugar. Because of diet, different chemical changes occur in the body. These changes sometimes are more and sometimes less but in both the situations, they are harmful. A person should consume fresh, light and seasonal diet. Junk food and packaged food should be avoided.
(ii) Exercise : Regular exercise is useful for mental health. Exercise improves blood circulation and the brain gets more blood and oxygen which is necessary to increase its capacity to function. Regular exercise can help to release the tension of muscles and purifies the blood. Increase in endorphin in blood makes a person more active and energetic. Every individual should spare 40 minutes daily for exercise or sports and games.
(iii) Yoga and meditation : In the present era, most of the people live stressful life due to the modern life style. As a result it affects mental health. To maintain mental health, India has given unique gift of yoga and meditation which every individual should practise. The gift of yoga given by Maharshi Patanjali and other sages is popular across the globe. Every year 21st June is celebrated as "World Yoga Day." Meditation provides immense mental peace. A "person's mind remains active always which consumes lot of energy. Meditation helps to control it. Meditation and yoga helps to remove stress and decrease physical and mental disorder. Meditation helps to synchronization of brain waves and stable alpha brain rhythms which makes a person feel happy and stress free.
(iv) Change in life style : Industrialization, urbanization and luxurious facilities have brought great change in people's life-style. Vehicles, TV, Internet etc. have also changed the way people live. As a result, it has negative effect on the mental health of the people. To improve mental health, it is necessary to change food habits, life - style, social relations, the style of working, exercise etc. There should be appropriate changes in some habits like - eating fastfood or junk food, remain awaken till late night and not doing exercise. People should spare time for rest and entertainment from their busy routine.
(v) Relaxation activities : Due to the modern life style, a person remains in stress continuously, which is harmful for his muscles, hormones, physiological and, psychological system. In order to protect from such negative effects, a person should learn the technique of relaxation. It can be practised by control over breathing. Different techniques developed in India as well as in the west can be practised to control breathing process for relaxation. It provides relaxation to muscles, different systems of the body and thoughts. Mind can control thoughts and experience peace.
(vi) Positive orientation : People with positive orientation are optimistic. Positive attitude means to perceive difficult situations in a positive and creative way and then behave accordingly. For example – people with negative attitude consider it as half empty. In the similar manner, we can evaluate the different situations in life. Normally, a person sees the world around him the way he thinks. He experiences different things based on his thoughts. The positive thoughts in mind makes a person more optimistic. Positive attitude makes å person stress free. It helps to improve his mental and physical health and reduce depression, heart ailment and blood pressure. It increases immunity and as a result he can easily fight challenging situations in life. Therefore, an individual should have more positive thought. He should laugh even in stressful situations. Healthy life style and positive attitude help to boost up confidence level.
(vii) Music : The saying goes truly that "Music is food for mind." Music helps to bring change in brain waves and cells. These changes remain in the mind for longer period of time. Thus relaxation provided by it lasts for longer time. Music has deep impact mupon body and mind. It helps to increase concentration and thinking ability. Light music has soothing effect on the brain waves. It has also positive effect on the automatic nervous system Music helps to increase positive thinking, creativity and provides mental peace. So music therapy has positive effect on the patients suffering from cancer, depression, insomnia etc.
(viii) Time management : Every person gets 24 hours in a day. The mental health of a person can be determined by how he utilises his time. The individual who is not able to manage his time in routine life remains under stress continuously. As a result, it has negative effect on his health and interpersonal relationship