Do you struggle with anxiety or depression? Are you searching for natural, more effective ways to improve your mental health? You are not alone!

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40 million Americans age 18 and older suffer from some anxiety disorders or other mental illness—that’s 18.1% of the country’s population!  https://adaa.org/

While some find success in controlling their symptoms with prescription medications and therapy, for many that alone does not provide relief. Having been diagnosed myself with generalized anxiety and depression, I’ve been on a quest for years to find answers on how to overcome panic attacks and the urge to withdraw from daily life. I tried counseling and numerous cocktails of prescription drugs, but it wasn’t until I started looking to God’s word that I saw real progress.

So what cues can we take from Him to improve the mental health of ourselves and our loved ones? In my experience, so many of God’s laws for us are not just for His sake, but for our own as well. He made us for certain purposes, and when we live with those in mind we are at our happiest and healthiest.

Worship to Improve Mental Health

Science has proven that singing and praying causes our bodies to produce endorphins, our natural “feel good” hormone. Shouting out that hymn or praying out loud is like taking a happy pill, but with no harmful side effects! And you don’t have to be in church to worship (although worshipping in a group magnifies the benefits!). I love to belt it out to Christian radio in the car on my commute to and from work. In the morning it helps me get my mind right to tackle the challenges of the day ahead. On the way home, it helps me let go of the stresses of the work day and be in a good mood for my family.

that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith   Romans 1:12

Fellowship to Improve Mental Health

Spend time with other believers. If you are blessed enough to be part of a genuine and loving church family, look for ways to spend more time with them! Their positivity and hopefulness can be contagious and help counteract your own negative thoughts.

At first, I was hesitant to spend time with members of our congregation outside of the church. I thought I’d be obligated to be reverent and on my best behavior. Then, some of the ladies invited me to go with them to a Women of Faith conference in town (and they paid for my ticket!). I went, not expecting to have fun, but it was an AWESOME experience.

We laughed so hard and I learned so much about them. There was none of the cattiness I sometimes experience with coworkers. They encouraged me and one another and helped me find humor and hope in some of the struggles I’d been facing. I realized that these were people I could count on and look up to. They continue to be a source of inspiration in my daily life.

Now when presented with the opportunity to spend time with members of the congregation outside of the weekly church service, I look forward to it! I know that I’ll get so much out of that time. It truly heals my soul.

Serve Others to Improve Mental Health

Jesus called us to be servants, and doing so can be the most powerful method for healing ourselves. Try devoting your time and energy to someone whose circumstances are worse than your own. At the very least it will provide perspective on how much you have to be grateful for, but even more, it can provide your life with renewed purpose and meaning.

Early in my marriage, my husband and I took custody of his two teenage nephews while their mother was hospitalized long term due to severe bipolar disorder. I was 25 at the time and had no clue what to expect. I thought with some devotion and attention, the boys would flourish. Needless to say, I wasn’t prepared for the challenges we faced.

At one point when they were having disciplinary problems, I was at the end of my rope. We had made so many sacrifices to make sure they went to a good school. I spent hours helping with their homework and working with their teachers to get them caught up and improve their grades. We took them to church and for fun outings and bought them dirt bikes and video games. They still weren’t adjusting as we’d hoped and they rejected our authority and affection.

I felt hopeless and sorry for myself. I cried out to God in prayer and asked for help. His response was clear:

go find someone with worse circumstances than yourself and be a blessing to them.

I started volunteering at Holy Angels, a non-profit organization that provides a home and healthcare for severely disabled children and adults. I only helped in the office, but I was able to interact with the children that suffered daily with countless seizures, paralysis, and other major issues. It was so obvious how insignificant my troubles were in comparison.

It has stuck with me just how loving and happy these kids were despite their pain and physical limitations. If they could be hopeful in the face of so much distress, surely I could too! I was even able to convince our nephews to volunteer a few times. Although I can’t say it made the same impact on them, I definitely think it gave them a glimpse of how much they had to be grateful for. It also gave them a confidence boost to see that they could help those in need.

Spend Time In Nature to Improve Mental Health

God made a beautiful world for us to live in, and He wants us to enjoy it! Get outside and enjoy the sunshine and the breeze. Meditate on God’s marvelous creations. Smell the flowers, watch the birds, take a closer look at the miracle that is a spider’s web.

The sun provides vitamin D which counteracts depression and nature (or horticulture) therapy is becoming more and more recommended by doctors. It lowers cortisol (stress hormone) levels, elevates mood and improves concentration.

Horticulture therapy programs are even used to help veterans cope with PTSD. http://www.ahta.org/horticultural-therapy  

The peace provided by disconnecting from our daily hustle and bustle to enjoy God’s creation can change our mindset dramatically.

For an added boost, try incorporating meditation or exercise outside.

Related: The Beginner’s Guide to Yoga for Christians

The Father Knows Best

God in His infinite wisdom created us and He knows what we need before we do. A child may not understand he’s cranky because he’s tired, but a good parent recognizes it and helps him get to sleep. God is our father and He knows what we need. He’s guided us with His word so we can feel our best. So even if you don’t feel like taking these actions to improve your mental health, I urge you to really try and see the difference for yourself. And unlike the newest prescription drug, there are NO RISKS with God’s treatments!

Do you or someone you love suffer from anxiety, depression, or other mental illness? What steps do you take to improve your mental health and well being? Leave a comment below!