October 10 is World Mental Health Day, a time to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. Established by the World Federation for Mental Health, the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is to make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority.

According to the World Health Organization, World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

With a mission that wellbeing isn’t just for some—it’s for all, Wellbeats offers fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes geared toward supporting mental health. What you do physically impacts what you do mentally, and what you do mentally impacts what you do physically. Likewise, there is a complex relationship connecting nutrition and mood. And mindfulness can help improve self-awareness and gratitude, establish inner peace and acceptance, reduce stress, and more.

Four Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health

In honor of World Mental Health Day, commit to taking care of your own mental health. Try the strategies below or come up with your own. You’re the expert on yourself, so listen to what your mind and body need.

1. Get regular exercise.

Regular physical activity can improve mental health, boost your mood, reduce depression symptoms, and enhance your overall mental wellbeing. Whether calming your mind and body with a gentle yoga session or sweating out stress in a HIIT cardio class, fitness looks different for everyone. Simple activities like walking or gardening are good alternatives to traditional exercise that provide similar benefits too.

2. Nourish your body with nutrient-dense foods.

The relationship between nutrition and mental health is much more complex than stress eating or “treating yourself.” The food you eat plays a role in how your mood is regulated. By paying attention to how the foods you eat make you feel—both physically and mentally—you’ll be able to identify and incorporate the nutritious foods that help you feel your best.

3. Develop self-care rituals.

Self-care is simply the act of taking care of yourself. It’s anything you do to stay physically, mentally, and emotionally well. Wellbeats instructors share some of their favorite ways to practice self-care here:

• Self-care tips from Josh K., Elizabeth S., and Sophia C.
• Self-care tips from Nicole L., Kim W., and Acacia S.
• Self-care tips from Gea M., Barb K., Chance Y., and Carrie T.

4. Practice gratitude.

Begin each day with gratitude. Keep a gratitude journal or engage in gratitude meditation to make gratitude a habit. When done regularly, you’ll train your brain to notice positivity around you!

In addition to these four ways to take care of your mental health, the Mayo Clinic offers tips for recharging with a planned mental health day—a limited time away from your usual responsibilities with the intention of recharging and rejuvenating your mental health.

When it comes to mental health, one of the most important things to remember is to seek help when you need it! Speak with a trusted friend or contact your doctor if you have concerns about your mental health.

Mental Health and Wellbeing for All

Celebrate World Mental Health Day with Wellbeats. Wellbeats offers many short but effective classes that can improve your mental health, help with anxiety or depression, or even just boost your mood—all within just a few minutes. Try Ladder Up! with Alex M. to boost your heart rate and your mood, or learn how nutrition can support emotional resilience in Boost Your Mood with Chef Marshall. In Essential Yin with Jan J., you’ll be guided through a simple practice to balance and relax your mind.

About Wellbeats, a LifeSpeak company

Wellbeats, a LifeSpeak company is a leading provider of on-demand virtual fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes for use in workplaces of all sizes, health plans, on college or university campuses, multi-family housing, the U.S. military, and fitness and health clubs. Based in St. Louis Park, MN, Wellbeats makes fitness accessible, affordable, and approachable for everyone. More than 1,000 classes and 35+ programs are available to help members stay on track and meet their goals. To learn more, visit www.wellbeats.com or check out a sampling of the company’s fitness classes during a Facebook Live class, and follow Wellbeats on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.