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Mental health is an important aspect of the overall health of each and every person. However, mental health disorders are more common than many realize, with millions of people suffering from some form of mental illness each year. Some mental health disorders include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, among others. This article explores the importance of mental health for individuals and society as a whole, along with tips on how to maintain good mental health.
- What is Mental Health?
- Why Should You Care About Your Own Mental Health?
- How Do I Take Care of My Mental Health?
- Is Self-Care the Same as Therapy?
- Can I Handle My Own Problems?
- How Can I Get Started with Improving My Mood?
- What If I Don’t Have Insurance or Money for Therapy or Medication?
- How Do Friends and Family Help Me Cope with My Depression or Anxiety?
- Resources For Those Struggling With Suicide
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is simply how you feel about yourself and your relationship with others. It encompasses a wide range of elements, from an individual’s internal thoughts and feelings to their relationships with friends, family, peers, and coworkers. Mental health is often referred to as a state of well-being. Having good mental health can help someone function in social settings or at work. While having bad mental health can cause significant issues that affect every part of one’s life— including one’s social life, school performance, job performance, and even physical health. Mental illness refers to diagnosable conditions that involve disruptions in thinking, feeling, or mood; it also includes injury or disease that affects normal brain function.
Why Should You Care About Your Own Mental Health?
While you may think that your life is stress-free and perfect, there’s a good chance that you spend a lot of time in negative thought patterns that don’t serve you well. These can manifest as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, etc. The good news is that mental health problems are actually very common—and they can be treated and even prevented with simple lifestyle changes. You should care about your own mental health for at least three reasons: One: You’ll feel better in general Two: You’ll be more productive at work Three: Your personal relationships will improve.
How Do I Take Care of My Mental Health?
Many of us deal with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues on a daily basis. But for some, these things can become disabling conditions that have lasting effects on their lives. That’s why it’s important to take good care of your mental health. How? Learn how to identify and cope with stress or anxiety, take active measures to manage depression and other mood disorders, be aware of ways that addiction may be adversely affecting your life, or figure out if you’re dealing with an eating disorder like bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa. Take steps to maintain your physical health too. Regular exercise is one way many people try to stay mentally healthy as well as physically fit. And regular sleep is another: Inadequate sleep has been linked to a wide range of problems, including depression and reduced productivity at work. Having mental health problems doesn’t mean you’re weak—it just means you need help in managing them. With support from friends, family members, counselors, therapists, or doctors who specialize in mental health (psychiatrists), you can get through anything. Remember: You don’t have to go through it alone!
Is Self-Care the Same as Therapy?
Sometimes, those suffering from mental illness are drawn to self-care as a means to manage symptoms. It’s understandable: taking care of yourself can help you feel better in the moment, even if only for a short time. But it is important to remember that self-care is NOT the same as therapy and should not be used as a substitute for it. Self-care is something you do for yourself; therapy, on the other hand, helps you discover your thought patterns and subconscious beliefs about yourself in order to change those thoughts and beliefs into something more positive—so you can both function better and feel better about who you are.
Can I Handle My Own Problems?
Some people do well when they’re able to deal with their own problems. But, some other people are afraid to seek help because they’re not sure if they can handle their own problems. Some even say it is a matter of pride and that I can just as well manage without getting any help from others. It is okay to have an overactive ego and be certain about one’s abilities, but these thoughts may be too much for some situations. For example, if you do need help in dealing with your own problems or taking care of your personal life, then you should seek outside help rather than trying to handle it yourself. Hiring someone else will also ensure that you won’t risk putting yourself at risk or making your situation worse if you cannot properly handle it on your own.
How Can I Get Started with Improving My Mood?
If you’re already feeling depressed, you may feel too low to do anything about it. We know that if you start doing things that make you feel better, your mood will improve. So what can you do? First, get moving. Physical activity is one of the best ways to improve your mental health; studies show that regular exercise improves mood by increasing endorphins and boosting serotonin (the hormone associated with happiness). Exercise is also good for lowering stress levels and relieving anxiety—both of which have a direct impact on mood. Choose an activity you enjoy, like running or swimming or dancing, and set a time each day where nothing gets in your way (like work or other obligations) so that it becomes part of your routine.
What If I Don’t Have Insurance or Money for Therapy or Medication?
If you don’t have insurance or money for therapy or medication, there are still things you can do to help your mental health. Although it’s impossible to treat depression without being formally diagnosed and medicating, there are many other steps that you can take to feel better, even if your condition isn’t severe enough for medication. Try keeping a journal with an emotional entry every day or making a gratitude list. Reading articles on subjects that interest you is another great way to put yourself in a good mood.
How Do Friends and Family Help Me Cope with My Depression or Anxiety?
To cope with depression and anxiety, we need to help ourselves by surrounding ourselves with support from our friends and family. Socializing can be a challenge for some when feeling depressed or anxious, but chances are there are people in your life who want to help you feel better. According to a 2012 survey by The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), 89 percent of people with an anxiety disorder have at least one other person they consider supportive or understanding. Even if you don’t think it feels like it right now, remember that others do care about how you’re doing and want to see you get better.
Resources For Those Struggling With Suicide
When mental health issues become unbearable, it’s common to consider suicide as a solution. While some people see suicide as an option, it’s important to know that there are many resources available to help those struggling with suicidal thoughts. A mental health professional or hotline counselor can help you through tough times and aid in getting treatment. You can also talk to your family and friends; they may be able to provide insight into what you’re going through, plus they can support you throughout your journey back to wellness. If someone is having suicidal thoughts, don’t hesitate; contact a counselor now and get help for them as soon as possible before their situation gets worse.
