Five ways to maintain your mental health.

WHAT IS A MENTAL HEALTH?

Emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing all fall under the category of mental health. It impacts our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It also shapes how we interact with people, manage stress, and make good decisions. From childhood and adolescence to adulthood, maintaining one's mental health is crucial. 

Mental illness and poor mental health are two different things, despite the fact that the terms are sometimes used synonymously. Even if a mental disorder is not identified, a person can have poor mental health. The same is true for those who have mental illnesses; they might go through phases of mental, emotional, and social health.

Is mental health crucial for physical health?

Both physical and mental health are crucial aspects of overall health. For instance, depression raises the danger of many different physical health issues, especially chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In a similar way, having chronic illnesses raises your chance of having mental disease.

Where does mental disease come from?

Mental illness has several causes that are not all the same. Risk factors for mental illness include things like

• Early stressful experiences in life or a history of maltreatment (for example, child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc.)

• Experiences with other ongoing (chronic) illnesses, such cancer or diabetes

• Biological components or brain chemical imbalances

• Use of drugs or alcohol

• Facing emotions of isolation or loneliness

Talk to a trusted person:

It can be beneficial to talk to a trusted person, such as a friend, family member, or work colleague. If you are able to freely discuss what you are going through with someone who cares about you, you could feel better. You can use a video call, phone call, or messaging app to stay in touch with your loved ones if you live in a place where face-to-face interactions are few.

Engage in activities you enjoy:

Try to keep doing the things you find fulfilling and delightful, such as cooking for yourself or your loved ones, playing with your pet, going for walks in the park, reading a book, or watching a movie or TV show. You can keep your mental health in fine condition by following a regular schedule that includes enjoyable activities.

Do not expose yourself to dangerous substances:

Avoid using dangerous substances like alcohol, drugs, or smoke to deal with your emotions. Even while they can appear to make you feel better right away, these things can really make you feel worse over time. These harmful substances increase your risk of getting sick or hurt, as well as the risk to people around you.

Seek professional help:

Make an appointment with your counselor or doctor if you sense you are unable to handle the stress you are facing. We need to remember one thing, no one is alone in this world. You are not alone, and you may take steps to promote your emotional wellbeing.

Maintain your physical health:

Maintaining good physical health also contributes to overall wellbeing. Take part in some form of exercise for at least 30 minutes each day, whether it be walking, running, yoga, dance, cycling, or even gardening. Adopt a well-balanced, healthy diet. Don't forget to get enough sleep.