0
0
For humans to survive, mental health and wellbeing are just as essential as oxygen. It is crucial to understand that, in order to live a happy and peaceful life, one’s mental health should come first. The value of mental health and wellbeing has long been recognized in spiritual nations like India, where saints—often referred to as sadhus or gurus—used to practice yoga and meditation to keep their mental health in check. The importance of mental health and well-being has been emphasized in recent years by all companies through employee education programs. However, talking about mental health issues is still stigmatized in society, which prevents people from talking about their problems and from seeking treatment. However, we must recognize that mental health conditions are acceptable and that treatment is necessary. Let us endeavor to gain further insight into the significance of mental health and overall wellbeing.
What is mental health?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of wellbeing in which a person is able to recognize their own abilities, manage everyday stressors, work effectively and efficiently, and make a positive contribution to their community and society. An individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all part of their mental health. It has an impact on one’s feelings, thoughts, and behavior in a matter. It also affects how well a person manages stress and makes wise decisions.
Whether a person is a child, a teenager, or an adult, mental health is important at every stage of life. Every aspect of life depends on it, so it’s critical to protect and enhance psychological wellness with the right policies in place.
Mental Illness: What is It?
A person’s mood, thoughts, and behavior can all be impacted by a variety of mental health conditions collectively referred to as mental illnesses. Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, depression, and addictive behaviors are a few examples of mental illness or mental health disorders.
To put it simply, mental illness arises when the brain malfunctions, just like any other organ like the kidney or the heart. It is impossible to maintain control over one’s thoughts or point of view when suffering from mental health issues.
Why is mental health important?
Mental illnesses affect more than 450 million people worldwide. The World Health Organization predicts that depression will rank as the second most common illness globally by 2020 (Murray & Lopez, 1996). The cost of mental health will be far higher worldwide than what developed and developing nations can handle. The opportunities for promoting mental health as well as preventing and treating mental illness were brought to light by the social and economic costs connected with the rising burden of mental illness. Hence, mental health is associated with behavior and is thought to be essential to both physical health and a high standard of living.
- There is no question that there is a direct correlation between mental and physical health, and that heart and vascular diseases are preceded by depression.
- Mental illnesses can also impact an individual’s health-related behaviors, such as sensible eating, consistent exercise, getting enough sleep, safe sexual behavior, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, and following medical recommendations, all of which raise the risk of physical illness.
- Social issues like unemployment, broken families, poverty, drug abuse, and related crime are also caused by mental illness.
- Reduced immunological functioning is significantly correlated with poor mental health.
- Patients with depression who are medically ill fare worse than those who do not.
- Depression risk increases with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Suggestions for Optimal Mental Health and Wellness
-
Be Kind to Yourself
It’s very simple to be unkind to yourself when you’re depressed and lacking motivation. You may believe that you are worthless or unfit for anything. It is only necessary for you to have compassion for yourself in such a circumstance. You must give yourself credit for the modest accomplishments you have made in life. You can help others and give yourself praise for helping others if you find it difficult to be kind to yourself.
-
Exercise
Going for a quick stroll or climbing some stairs helps lower tension and improve alertness. Establish a regular exercise regimen that will improve your mood, sharpen your mind, and lessen the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
-
Eat Well
Avoid boosting your mood with ten cups of coffee a day. Rather, keep up a nutritious diet and eat your meals on schedule. This maintains your health and speeds up your body’s metabolism. In a positive setting, enjoy meals with friends and family, and make sure you don’t become overly fixated on food. If you feel you’re developing overeating or undereating habit, ensure you seek medical help both with a physicist and a psychologist. Another sign of an underlying mental illness is overeating or undereating. Maintaining good eating habits contributes to your overall wellbeing and mental health.
-
Breathe Deeply
Always remember to breathe slowly and deeply when you are experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety. Breathe in slowly, filling your belly, ribs, chest, and lungs in order of preference. Breathe out slowly as well.
-
Make connections with others
Making connections with loved ones, friends, pets, or even just by saying hello to a complete stranger can make you feel better and help prevent melancholy and anxiety. Make quality friends instead of just as many as possible. Make sure you stay in touch with those who give you a sense of support, like, or love.
-
Relaxation
Relaxation is all you need following a demanding workday that requires a lot of physical exertion. In a similar vein, mental relaxation allows your mind to reset itself when it is overworked. Remain composed and engage in activities that help you unwind. For instance, you can calm your mind with a basic breathing exercise. Jacobson’s Progressive Muscular Relaxation therapy, or just relaxation exercises that work on all your muscles and help your brain relax, can be helpful if you’re experiencing anxiety. These relaxation techniques help you come up with creative solutions for handling stressful situations.
-
Seek Assistance (and Offer Assistance)
Seek assistance if you or a loved one is experiencing difficulties. This could be a friend, member of the family, a therapist, or a psychologist. Although speaking with a psychologist or psychiatrist—two mental health professionals—can be socially stigmatized, it is imperative that you do so if you or someone you know is experiencing distress. They are able to examine your mental health, search for any psychological issues, and provide you with guidance on how to treat them.
When we are mentally well, we enjoy our life, the good things in it, and the people in it. We’ll be more equipped to handle life’s obstacles and excel in both our personal and professional spheres. Creative minds, a desire to learn new things and try out new things on oneself, and taking risks are all indicators of good mental health.
It is impossible to overstate the significance of mental health for overall wellbeing, regardless of age. A person’s psychological well-being can be impacted by negative behaviors that can harm their relationships with others and their own health.
Read More: Optimizing Kidney Health: Essential Diet Guide
