October 27, 2022

Being mindful of our overall mental health is extremely important. Most of us can identify the symptoms and treatment options for common illnesses that affect us or our loved ones, like the flu, migraines and (most recently) Covid-19 and then seek proper treatment for such conditions. However, this is not the case when it comes to mental health challenges.

The statistics indicate that psychological issues have been on an alarming rise, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic. According to data collected by the World Health organization (WHO) an estimated one in eight people globally are living with a mental disorder. One of the leading causes of disability is depression. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. This indicates that focusing on our own psychological well-being is crucial for healthy living. The first step is to understand the term mental health, to help ourselves along with millions of people who are impacted by mental health issues throughout the world. And, likewise, explore coping strategies to better our psychological well-being.

What Exactly is Mental Health? 

Mental Health refers to our psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It revolves around our thought processes, perceptions and cognitions which dictate our behaviors.

How are you feeling? Is a big chunk of mental health. Our feelings and emotions are interconnected with our genetic predispositions, our environment, our cognition. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development.

Mental Health can be seen on a continuum, it is experienced differently from one person to the other, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress and potentially very different social and clinical outcomes. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. If our psychological well-being or mental health is not regulated properly, it can lead to the development of mental illnesses.

What is a Mental Illness?

A mental illness is commonly defined as a physical illness of the brain that causes disturbances in thinking, behavior, or emotion that make it difficult for a person to cope with the ordinary demands of life. There are many factors that can contribute towards the development of mental disorders, such as genetics, brain chemistry, brain structure, experiencing trauma and/or having another medical condition. So, in order to deal with mental disorders or illness, its important to work on your psychological well-being by improving self-esteem, confidence, self-care, balanced diet, sleep and regulating emotions.

Few Tips to Improve Mental Health?

Psychological well-being is achieved when you’re functioning and feeling well. And these tips might seem pretty ordinary, but they have a huge impact on our moods if done with consistency.

1. Be Kind to yourself:

It’s surprising that we spend the most time with ourselves and yet fail to work on our Self-Talk. Treat yourself with respect, and care and avoid self-criticism. When having a conversation in your head, use kinder and gentler words for yourself.

2. Invest in Healthy Hobbies:

Our routines and lives are getting busier and hectic by the day. So, make sure you take out a few minutes for your hobbies and favorite projects (anywhere between 20 to 30 mins) Do a daily crossword puzzle, plant a garden, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument, or become fluent in another language.

3. Take Care of your Body:

Physical health is directly linked to our Psychological Well-Being. Be sure to:
• Eat nutritious meals
• Drink plenty of water
• Exercise, which helps decrease depression and anxiety and improve moods.
• Get enough sleep.

4. Surround yourself with Positive people:

A healthy support network is crucial for our emotional health and research indicates that people with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support group. Make plans with supportive family members and friends or seek out activities where you can meet new people.

5. Learn how to deal with Stress:

Stress is an integral part of life, that will stay with us in one way or another. There are numerous coping strategies that can be learned easily to deal with stress. These coping strategies become easier with practice and time. Practice good coping skills: Try talking to some who will listen to you without judgments or suggestions, take a nature walk, play with your pet, try journal writing as a stress reducer or watch something that makes you laugh.

5. Quiet your mind with Meditation:

It is one of the most useful and efficient tools for dealing with trauma and any sort of grief. It’s extremely easy to practice and can be done anywhere, anytime. And it works like a magic pill while regulating emotions. Another great thing about meditation is that there is tons of information available on it and any person can adopt it according to their own lifestyle. In fact, research shows that meditation may help you feel calm and enhance the effects of therapy.

Seeking help is a sign of strength — not a weakness. And it is important to remember that treatment is effective. People who get appropriate care can recover from mental illness and addiction and lead full, rewarding lives. Learning more about mental health allows us to provide helpful support to ourselves and those affected in our families and communities to live to our full potential.

If you want to learn more, please contact us.