Mental Health Awareness on Mental Health Day

 

                          Photo by Zulmaury Saavedra on Unsplash

We often ignore our mental health, all the care we take for the physical health only. But, mental health is related to emotional and behavioral well-being. Mental health is how we talk, behave and feel something.

A bad mental health affects our physical health too as well as our relationships, work environment, daily living.

You should take proper care of your mental health to enjoy your life fruitfully. If your mental health gets better, you can maintain the balance of your life properly, you will get psychological stability, perform your responsibilities well and achieve your goal easily.

What makes your mental health to disrupt? Of course, it is your anxiety, depression, stress, illness etc. Therefore, we need to control it well to provide ourselves a good mental health for lifetime. 

On this World Mental Health Day, 10^th October 2020, this article brings you some guidance towards your mental health. World Mental Health Day is an international mental health day to spread awareness and education related to mental health.

                                 Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

What is mental health?

Many times people get confused between the mental health and mental illness or mental disorder. This two are very different from one another.

In our society, till now there is a taboo for some terminologies like psychiatrists, mental health etc. in our life. We need to clarify them that it is normal thing and it needs proper care in our life.

In 1954, Dr. Brock Chisholm, the first Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), stated, “Without mental health there can be no true physical health.”

In our developing country, here mental health care is neglected as physical health has more priorities and influence and funding are low regarding mental health care system.

Now a days, mental health awareness programme and campaign are running in different countries including India and it have yielded positive outcomes too.

In this awareness programme combating social stigma, early recognition of mental disorder and participation of family members are included. In our country, lack of awareness is the main problem to cause some mental illness.  

“The only journey is the journey within.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

Taking care of your mental health

We are prioritizing our physical health over our mental health. Taking proper care of our physical health is fantastic but we shouldn’t neglect our mental health too.

On this, World Mental Health Day, I suggest ten impactful ways to take care of your mental health.

                                    Photo by Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash

1. Take a break

After a hectic schedule or when you feel that you need some time for relaxation don’t hesitate to take a break from everything. Just spend some time with yourself. Break the monotony and do something interesting, plan a trip, visit a new restaurant and so on.

It’s not selfish to give yourself time, try to think it as a medicine just like for  your physical health. Mental health needs some space and time, so, don’t be shy to honour a mental health day of your own when needed.

2. Do something other than binge-watching back-to-back web series before bed

Before bed, I think, we all watch different web series or movies in different OTT platforms, but it is totally unhealthy for your mental health.

This only helps you to feel tired and sleepy, and it’s effect, you can find in the next day. Your mood will be off, you will be annoyed with very small things.

So, it’s better to do some other things of your choice like reading, calling a friend, take a bath, drawing, listening music etc. before going to bed, that helps to improve you mood. 

3. Add stress-fighting food to your diet and limit refined sugars

There is no such stress-fighting food, but you can add magnesium in your diet, it can help you to lessen a headache or fatigue. Try to incorporate some magnesium containing foods like green leafy vegetables, pumpkin seeds, figs, avocados etc.

Cut back your sugar intake. Refined sugar help to build a depression and increase your blood sugar level, you will feel more lethargic. So, limit the intake of sugar in your diet. Avoid soda, cold drinks, cake and pastries on a daily basis.

Beside magnesium, iron and vitamin B12 deficiency can create a bad mood for you, so, pay attention to such foods containing iron and vitamin B12. Build a healthy eating habit.

                                     Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash

4. Take some time to meditate daily

Build a habit to meditate every day. Yes, it is very helpful to calm your mind very soon. Don’t try to achieve some enlightenment by this, just take at least five minutes and focus on your breathing only.

It helps to calm you down and your mind get peace instantly. Just sit and relax, start breathing in and out slowly for five minutes and increase time accordingly.

5. Sleep is the panacea for your mind

Don’t stay as a sleep deprived person. If you have time for all other things but not for sleep, it is very bad for your mental health. Without proper sleep, you find everything messy, either in your work or in your personal life.

Lack of sleep can generate the worst condition for your mental health. These two are closely linked. Sleep deprived condition leads to you groggy or yawning throughout the day.

If you consistently remain sleep deprived then you may develop depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder etc.

                                           Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash

6. Exercise regularly/ periodically

Almost in my every article, I suggest to do exercise at least a minimum. It is applicable in here also. Exercise has a great impact in your mental health. It keeps you active all day.

But, it means not just doing high intensity workouts or gym, you may remain active throughout all day by doing simple walking, jogging or household work.

Exercise can boost your self-esteem and increase your 'feel good attitude' by secreting chemicals in your brain. Focusing or concentration gets easy to you and you can sleep better.

So, try to exercise at least 30 minutes, five days in a week. It also helps you to live longer.

                                                Photo by Dustin Belt on Unsplash

7. Talk about your feelings with someone compatible

Whenever needed, just talk about your feelings with a friend or family member. It helps to release your pressure, it is very important to your mental health and well-being.

Don’t feel alone, talk with your partner about your problem, you will get mental support. It is not just about talking, you can ask for help, if any situation gets out of control or something interfering with your daily life.

Talking about your problem with someone else and asking for help can also give them courage to do this for their own.

"The Bravest Person is the one who asks for help first.".....ConSCIENCE

So, allow yourself to talk with others about your problem or ask for any type of help when you feel low.  

8.  Seek good company

A good companion may ease your journey towards taking care of mental health. Always surround yourself with positive people, try to avoid negative persons.

Positive people can give you the best from them; try to incorporate in your life too. It is much healthier for your mental state. You too, tell yourself some positive matter that gives you the feeling of self-worth.

Get attached with new people who can support you in your needy hours. But first be yourself a good companion for you and then for others.

"Only friend you owe is the you".....ConSCIENCE

9. Drink judiciously

Drinking is not a solution to improve your mood, it obviously gives a feelings that is temporary. Not only your mental health deteroits but also your physical health immensely harmed.

After drinking a lot, in the next day you will feel more anxious and depressed and again you want to drink. A bad habit will form which can destroy you mentally. 

Some people drink to feel better but some people feel and behave the worst after drinking. Don’t go to the second kind of team. Drink with a limit. Over drinking is very bad for your physical as well as mental health. 

So, stay within the limit or recommended dose for alcohol for adult men. 

10. Care for others

A feel good attitude is found in your brain when you help someone. So, helping or caring others is not only good for them but also it is excellent for your mental health.

 It increases your self-esteem, and you found yourself connected to this world. Relationships get stronger and new bonds are made. It helps to find a shape of your day, which makes you strong mentally.

You can participate in some charity programme in your community or you can help your neighbour spontaneously.

ConScience

On this World Mental Health Day, promise yourself to build positive habits for your mental well-being. Take proper care of your physical health too, to maintain a good mental health.

Don’t pretend that you have no problem, you are stronger than others or don’t even bear a positive outlook always. Accept that you also have some mental problem, which is very normal, and you have to take care of this.

Follow those tips and beside this, there are plenty of strategies for your mental or psychological well-being, all your lesson will pay off in future. Build resilience and make sure you provide yourself a superior mental health for lifetime.