What is Mental Health?
Until recently there was a big misconception of what mental health is, and who it matters to the most. Mental health is not limited to mental illness. The simple fact that you do not have a mental illness does not mean that you are in good mental health. A better way of understanding mental health is by thinking of it in terms of the negative experiences you have with another person, place, or general situation altering your perception, and mental mind state. It will become more difficult to view things in a positive, or even realistic, light. This is why mental health is important for everyone, and can be managed by anyone who is looking to improve their mental health!
Managing mental health still has a stigma attached to it, and it can be hard to ask for help when there are still negative connotations associated with mental health. For fear of being judged or feeling embarrassed it can sometimes be hard to work to manage your mental health. It can be even harder to ask for help if it is needed. Another reason that managing your mental health can be a challenge is that the first response of people who are struggling with mental health is to prefer to push through what they’re feeling instead of addressing it. For some it is seen as a personal weakness to admit that you are struggling.
On the other hand, it can be hard to recognize the signs and symptoms of poor mental health, or mental illness, contributing to the difficulty in managing your mental health. There are several contributing factors that can make it easier to manage your mental health, or ask for help. The one thing to remember is that no matter what you’re going through, your situation is not hopeless, and that there are people you can trust to help. All you need to do is be willing to take the steps you need to improve your mental health.
How to Improve Your Mental Health
If you are ready to take a step towards improving your mental health, then know that there are several ways you can improve your mental health in a positive way. Some of the three easiest ways are through counseling, exercising, and getting the recommended hours of sleep.
1. Counseling:
There is no shame in seeking help improving your mental health as you can not always do it on your own. It can be hard handling certain life stressors, which can quickly lead to poor mental health if these stressors are not addressed. By seeking counseling, you can have the extra help needed in handling life stressors such as trauma, anxiety, depression, family conflict, caring for family with terminal illness, and more.
2. Exercise:
Even if it’s a few minutes a day, or once a week, it has been proven that exercise can improve your mental health. Exercise releases endorphins into the body which can naturally regulate your mood, and alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression.
3. Sleep:
A lack of sleep can affect your mood, and negatively affect your mental health. You will be more prone to irritability and anger. By having the recommended eight hours of sleep, and a good quality of sleep, you can drastically improve your mood and mental health.
Benefits of Managing Your Mental Health
Mental health is nothing to play with, and is definitely not something you should put off for a later time. Working to improve your mental health is highly beneficial for improving your overall health. Some of the benefits of improving your mental health are improving your ability to cope with daily stressors, gives a more positive outlook on life, and strengthens your relationships with the people in your life. When you have poor mental health you can experience difficulties with memory, anger, irritability, depression, anxiety, lack of sense of humor, and difficulty with your attention and concentration. By taking the time to improve your mental health you can: Reduce your feelings, or symptoms, of anxiety and depression, increase in your confidence and self-esteem, improves your overall mood and increases your ability to focus.
Conclusion
Taking the time to improve your mental health will typically improve other parts of your life as well. This is beneficial to you and those around you. Discover what you love and what makes you love life!
