Mental Health

IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health is one of the many conditions desired for the way we think, feel, and behave. It is as important as physical health in living a balanced life. This reminds us that fitness is when both body and mind are in good shape. A person keeps an improved quality of life through mental wellness with physical health.

Interrelationship between Mental and Physical Health

Foundation of physical fitness is mental fitness. While physical exercise keeps our bodies strong, mental exercise keeps our minds sharp. Together these two forms the healthy way of living. Right from childhood to old age every moment is important for possessing mental fitness. Mental health is a valuable part of life that usually captures people’s decisions, actions, and interactions with others. A healthy mind empowers our ability to face life’s challenges, rationalize our decisions, and navigate through diverse circumstances.

At the same time mental illness doesn’t spare even a person with the healthiest body. It destroys everything sleep, eating habits and general physical fitness. Over a period of time this may lead to deposition of conditions like depression, anxiety and stress which in turn affect mental health and physical health. Thus, mental health cannot simply be isolated from overall wellness.

Maintaining Mental Health

Keeping the mind healthy is as much a job as keeping the body healthy. Following are some good practices to be applied towards mental well-being:

1.Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is necessary for an individual’s physique as well as their mind. Deficiency in physical exercise may result in bad moods which can be cured using endorphins-chemicals in the brain responsible for improving moods and lessening stress.

2.Healthy Diet

Nutrition is important for the brain to perform well and, therefore, for energy levels to keep steady. The brain needs to be fed to keep mental clarity intact and emotional behavior stable. Proper nutrition teaches the individual not to undergo mood changes and irritability which can ensue from bad eating behavior.

3.Adequate Sleep

Sleep is important for mental health. Lack of sleep can cause mental disabilities, contribute to the anxiety level, and make a person more prone to depression. Keeping healthy sleep habits is one important factor.

4.Stress Management

Relaxants like yoga, meditation, or just a simple break away from stressful situations are able to lessen anxiety and contribute towards a more composed mind.

5.Social Connection

The glue that binds social networks that keep an individual well includes family, friends, and general acquaintances. Belonging and the feeling that one is not lonely is created in gatherings with other people.

6.Professional Support

If mental health issues are really taking a toll on you, try to seek therapy or counselling for better advice and coping. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

The Effects of Neglecting Mental Health

• Lack of concern for mental health can have bleak ramifications. An individual suffering from mental disorders is likely to have a disrupted routine in their daily life. He/she may not eat properly, fail to exercise, and not sleep well, which further deteriorates his/her physical well-being. This state of being leads to negative thinking, depressions, aggressiveness, and frustration, resulting in a vicious cycle of poor health.
• The more these problems remain unattended, the more difficult it becomes to extricate oneself from them. In the extreme, mental distress can lead to suicidal thoughts or acts, so early intervention self-care is imperative.

Mental health is a fundamental pillar for overall well-being. It gives us the ability to live a balanced productive life, while an unhealthy mind can really affect us. Ignoring offers a domino effect on one’s physical health and quality of living. Both mental and physical well-being are paramount and neither one can thrive without the other. Active maintenance of our mental health helps secure a future that is happier, healthier, and even more resilient.