Approximately 450 million people across the globe are living with some form of mental illness. However, according to the ADAA, only one-third of these people seek treatment.

May is the month where people come together to raise awareness and drop the stigma around mental health.

On that note, here is a list of ten simple ways that can be used to develop strong mental well-being.

1. Start your day off with a cup of coffee or tea: Coff­ee consumption has been associated with lower rates of depression. However, if you are not looking to have caffeine, try another drink such as green tea.
2. Spend time with a furry friend: Pets can be a great source of comfort, company, and motivation for people. Spending time with animals can lower the stress hormone, cortisol, and boost oxytocin-which is the happy hormone. If you don’t have a pet, visit a friend who does or volunteer at a shelter. In many ways, pets can help us to live mentally healthier lives.
3. Color: Coloring has been proven to help reduce stress and anxiety. Your brain is forced to focus on the simple activity, which allows you to relax.
4. Sleep in the cold: Sleep is an important aspect of mental health. The ideal sleeping temperature falls anywhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. As you sleep your body temperature naturally lowers, however, introducing your body to a cooler environment helps stimulate sleep faster.
5. Optimism: Try focusing on positive things as much as possible. Over time this will train your brain to see the bright side of each situation ahead.
6. Exercise: Exercise produces endorphins that make you feel good. People who exercise on a regular basis tend to feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives.
7. Forgive: Forgiving people from past mistakes is a great way to relieve stress and the burden off of your shoulders. People who forgive have better mental health and report being more satisfied with their lives.
8. Journal: Simply writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly can help manage anxiety, reduce stress, and even cope with depression.
9. Spend time with loved ones: Spending time with people who bring you joy will reduce stress levels and will also make you feel less isolated, overall increasing your happiness.
10. Smile: Smiling releases endorphins which relaxes your body and lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. Not only are you calming yourself down, but also helping another person out with the simple flash of a smile. After all, smiling is contagious.