Introduction
Mental health plays an important part in keeping you fit, active, and healthy. A research of 2017 proves that around 792 million people faced mental health disorder.
Nowadays, awareness of the importance of mental health has become a hot topic among doctors and researchers. What we need to comprehend is that mental well-being is just as important as our physical health. No doubt, mental health is the key to a healthy life as it shapes everything from your daily tasks, relationships to being physically active.
So, it has become a need to understand what does mental health mean, how to assess your mental health, symptoms, factors, and, most importantly, the treatment. The mental state also affects a person’s work performance. That is why it is also recommended to consult a professional occupational therapist from time to time.
Occupational therapy is the application of therapeutic activity to help a person maintain function in their occupation. The Occupational Therapy Australia experts help people in their daily occupations by guiding them, providing feedback and advice, and helping them achieve their goals.
What is ‘Mental Health’?
Mental Health refers to how you think, behave, and feel about certain things and situations. Mental Health is just more than the absence of mental disorders/ disabilities. However, the term Mental illness generally tends to evoke a thought of depression, distress, anxiety, disorder, and addiction.
The Components of Good Mental Health
Being in a good mental state means that you are responding well to challenges in life. Whenever a problem arises, you take notice, you think of its solution, and manage it well. You should be in a position to cope with the chronic tensions or tasks of life and make sure to play your part in the well-being of society. It does not mean everything has to be perfect. The important thing is to identify the problem and come up with the best possible solution you can think of instead of succumbing to stress.
How to Determine your Mental Health?
Whenever we get sick, our first instinct is to find out if there is an infection or temperature. We only choose to do a regular check-up for our physical health. But what do we do to check our mental health? Unfortunately, most of us do not consider it important to keep a check on our mental health.
But don’t worry, it’s never too late. Just have a look at these warnings and keep track of your mental health. Some of them are:
- Anxiety
- Eating too much or too little
- Insomnia
- Lacking energy on a daily basis
- Feeling angry, forgetful or confused without any valid reason
- Social Withdrawal
- Thoughts of suicide or harming others (stealing)
- Apathy
- Hypersensitivity
- Mood Swings
- Irritability
- Substance addiction
- Lack of concentration
If you notice or experience any of the symptoms mentioned above for a long period of time, you need to consult a medical professional. Remember that there is no shame in seeking assistance for your mental health.
Ways to Improve your Mental Health
Making simple changes in your life does not require a lot of time, but it can surely improve your health. Once you recognize your mental illness, there are numerous ways to get out of it. Here are some of the practical everyday things that you should keep in your mind for your mental well-being:
1. Daily Tell Yourself Something Positive
Your mental state is directly dependent on what you think about yourself. When we think of our self and our life negatively, we can end up losing the good mental state.
Try to take things easy. Motivate yourself. Instead of saying words that degrade you, try practicing words of appreciation and positivity. It will surely help you to have confidence in yourself, which leads to a healthy and positive life.
2. Think of things that you are grateful for
Gratitude is surely related to good mental health. Thinking of how blessed you are and things that you are grateful for surely lead you to a way of seeking happiness.
The best you can do is to write it in a list or a gratitude journal. This writing practice can lead to long-term benefits. Knowing things you are grateful for fills up your heart, and it makes you feel special.
3. Exercise
Exercise is a common way to release stress and negativity out of your body. It is a quick energy booster that can make you feel and think positively. Start by taking small initiatives in your day, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going out for a short walk after a long hectic day. Try exercising or working out in the open air. Exposure to the outer environment, fresh air, sunlight reduces your stress, anxiety, and depression.
4. Take a Balanced Diet
Sometimes, the problem starts with a lack of nutrition in the body. When you eat a balanced diet, it nourishes your body and brain as well. Plus, it also calms your mood.
Eat more fruits, meat, and vegetables. Healthy food is full of nutrients that feed each and every cell of your body. Healthy food is key to a better lifestyle and, ultimately, to good mental health.
5. Open up to Someone
Talking your heart out to someone helps you feel a lot better. Knowing you are important to someone who brings positivity in your life. Isolating yourself from people you love or, in general, the community can lead you to suffer more and more with every passing day.
Studies have shown that people with a pronounced social life have a longer life expectancy. Having strong and good connections with people can benefit you in numerous ways. In this way, you will discover the true colors of life.
6. Helping Others
Studies show that helping others has a beneficial effect on your state of mind. Being kind and helpful to others and getting complimented by them in return helps you build self-confidence. You feel like you have to do a lot for others.
7. Take a Break
Sometimes, all you need is a break from your daily routine. It’s okay not to feel well. Just take a break, take out time for your own self, relax, and do what you like the most. These little things might help you get better.
After a much-needed break, you will feel more motivated to cope with your daily life routine.
8. Prioritize your Sleep
Many types of research proved that sleep deficiency plays a major role in the contribution of a negative effect on your mood. People who don’t get enough sleep or are suffering from sleep deficiency are more likely to get tired quickly.
So, it is very important to prioritize your sleep. Try going to bed early, shut your screens down at least an hour before bed, and get 6-8 hours of sleep. Also, restricting caffeinated drinks in the morning may help you a lot in improving your sleep.
Life is very colorful; do not let its colors fade away easily. Your mental health plays a vital role throughout your life. Keep track of your mental health on a regular basis. With good mental health, you can fight any problem that crosses your way. Try these tips as mentioned above if you are facing any mental illness and let the results surprise you. After trying these tips, if you still feel that you are not mentally fit, seek help from a professional medical person.