In observance of Mental Health Month, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) offers tips on how to reduce stress levels, boost work productivity and how to manage and improve mental health:

• Cultivate a positive work environment.
• Follow through with your goals even when you feel discouraged. It takes effort and commitment to fulfill your desires.
• Develop a checklist to help you accomplish one task at a time. This will help you gain additional control over your goals.
• Take care of yourself. Make sure you are eating healthy, getting exercise and sleeping regularly.
• Help manage your family’s quality time by setting priorities. Include dinners together and have a family night.
• Don’t expect to accomplish more than one task at a time – create a “to do” list tackling those of highest priority first.

If you have adopted these tips and still experience signs of stress such as irritability, anxiety, headaches, difficulty concentrating, or poor work performance, you should consider seeking professional care. A mental health professional, such as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), is licensed and trained to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with common mental health conditions, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or addiction. If you are experiencing any of these conditions, therapy is a cost-effective solution to help manage your mental health issues. Locate a California therapist in my neighborhood.