Today, we are more aware that our mental health requires as much care as our physical health. In an era when depression and anxiety are rampant, mental strength is critical to survival. If you’re dealing with mental health issues, sometimes, the company you keep can make all the difference. Yes, you read that right. The kind of people you spend time with have a direct impact on your mental health. Toxic, abusive, and negative people are harmful to your well-being, while mentally healthy people encourage and inspire you to stay positive and happy. Read on to discover a few ways you can recognize if someone is good for your mental health.

1. They have empathy and make you feel understood.

A mentally healthy person is well-adjusted and possesses the ability to empathize with others. When you tell them about your situation, they genuinely make an effort to try and understand what you’re going through and also acknowledge your experience. It doesn’t matter if they haven’t experienced something similar or if they would react differently than you in any situation. They ask you questions to get a better sense of where you’re coming from. It feels good because they make you feel understood and accepted. This helps you stay positive about your experience rather than getting overwhelmed.

2. They let themselves be emotionally vulnerable.

The people you spend time with should not only empathize with you but also be comfortable allowing you into their inner world. It helps when someone understands you completely, but when someone shares their own stories with you, it increases intimacy and helps create stronger bonds. You will always find more comfort in the company of someone who knows your story as well as you do theirs. Opening up to someone may occur at a different pace for different people, but you know the relationship is healthy when you are not afraid of being vulnerable with each other.

3. They are not afraid to admit their mistakes.

A quality that mentally healthy people possess is honesty. You can hold them accountable and be sure that they will follow through on their promises. This feeling of trust that you can depend on them makes you feel secure in the relationship. Of course, nobody’s perfect, even mentally healthy people make mistakes. As long as they own up and admit their faults openly, you can be assured that they won’t betray you, and will, in fact, accept your flaws as well. This gives you a strong sense of well-being in the long run.

4. They can mostly manage their emotions well.

Every once in awhile, we all get overwhelmed with life. Anger, grief, or frustration keeps us stuck in a rut of negative emotions. It is perfectly human, and a mentally healthy person would want to know what’s wrong instead of being judgemental when this happens to you. A compassionate person is good at handling emotionally charged situations most of the time. Such people give you the confidence to be yourself when you’re around them. You don’t have to worry about rejection or being perfect in front of them.

5. They are good at self-care.

If a person is right for your mental health, they must understand the importance of self-care. They display healthy habits physically, mentally, and emotionally. This allows and inspires you to take care of yourself as well. The freedom to pursue self-care is essential to all meaningful relationships. A mentally healthy person does not resent you for taking the time to focus on caring for your physical and mental health. Instead, they encourage it because they do the same for themselves. People with healthy lifestyles are a source of positivity and a good influence.

6. They are at ease both alone and in the company.

A mentally healthy person is well-balanced both when they’re alone and in the company of others. They give you space to do your thing, and you feel inclined to do the same for them without reservations. For a respectful and authentic relationship to blossom, you both must be comfortable giving each other breathing space when needed. If a person is accommodating of your need for alone or social time, whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, they are undoubtedly good for your mental well-being.

7. They are comfortable with giving and accepting help.

A mentally healthy person does not shy away from asking for help when they need it. They also allow you to solve your problems independently without forcing their support on you unless asked for. It makes you feel good when you know that they will be there for you, without judgment, no matter what. You need such people in your life – who show their faith in your capability by trusting that you can work through certain situations on your own. It reaffirms your self-confidence and motivates you to take on more significant challenges.

If someone makes you feel good, it doesn’t automatically mean that they are a good influence on your mental health. Nor does it mean that they are mentally healthy themselves. It takes time to get to know a person well. If they’re genuinely good for your emotional health, they’ll make you feel better with more time spent together. Relationships with emotionally healthy people feel light and stress-free and help bring out the best in you. Watch out for these reassuring signs that you’re hanging out with the right people!