What are the 6 pillars of good mental health

The six pillars of good mental health are sleep, light, movement, nutrition, social connection, and stress control. 1

1. Sleep: Aim for sufficient, quality sleep and a fairly consistent schedule; sleep is important for mood and mental health. 2
2. Light: Get light during the day and keep nighttime environments dim or dark; light and darkness help regulate circadian rhythms and are linked with mental-health outcomes. 3 4
3. Movement: Regular cardiovascular and resistance exercise support mood and mental health. 5
4. Nutrition: Get enough, but not excessive, quality food, including essential macro- and micronutrients; nutrition supports brain function and mental health. 6
5. Social connection: Favor interactions that leave you feeling supported or energized, and limit taxing interactions where possible. 7 8
6. Stress control: Keep reliable stress-management tools available, including methods that can help lower stress in the moment. 9 10