Mental health is as important as physical health. Thus, it should not be treated any differently. Our mind is as important as any other part of our body and needs proper care. Taking care of our mental health is just like looking after a plant or a newborn baby. They both require extra care and constant supervision. Imagine how mentally stable you can be if you give the same attention to your mental health. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. It’s important at every stage of life, from childhood, adolescence through to adulthood.
The most common forms of mental illness include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, Parkinson’s disease and different types of anxiety disorders. Multiple factors such as genetics, trauma, physical illness, bullying, peer pressure, education pressure, society constraints, beauty standards and fear of missing out. Poverty, unemployment and low literacy levels can all contribute to mental illnesses Alcohol, drugs and substance abuse,suicide are the most prevalent effects of Mental Illness.
Asking for help is the main important thing anyone suffering from mental health issue one can do for themselves.But unfortunately, there is a lot of misconception surrounding mental health. One common misconception is that people with mental illness are violent. This is however not true because only 3 to 5 per cent of violence can be attributed to individuals with serious mental illness. The stigma and misconception around mental health are what makes victims resentful towards themselves causing a cycle of self-loathing preventing them from seeking medical assistance.
There are a lot of ways one can take care of their mental health these includes;
1.talking or writing about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled.
2.Regular exercise boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate, sleep, and feel better. Exercise keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy, and is also a significant benefit towards improving your mental health.
3. Feeding your body properly.Your brain needs a mix of nutrients in order to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body. A diet that’s good for your physical health is also good for your mental health.
4.Keep in touch.There’s nothing better than catching up with someone face to face, but that’s not always possible. You can also give them a call, drop them a note, or chat to them online instead. Keep the lines of communication open: it’s good for you!
5.None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things don’t go to plan.If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help. Your family or friends may be able to offer practical help or a listening ear.
6.Caring for others is often an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together helping you uplift each other.
7.Do something you’re good at. Enjoying yourself can help beat stress. Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it, and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.
8.A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health.It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work, or a weekend exploring somewhere new. A few minutes can be enough to de-stress you. Give yourself some ‘me time’.
We’re all different. It’s much healthier to accept that you’re unique than to wish you were more like someone else. Feeling good about yourself boosts your confidence to learn new skills, visit new places and make new friends. Good self-esteem helps you cope when life takes a difficult turn.
Mental illness should not be something to be ashamed about or thought of differently. When mental illness is treated equally to other illnesses, more people will have the courage to get help and better their lives. Every year world mental health day is observed on October 10th.
