Mental Wellness

Mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Hence, good mental wellness is the ability to respond resiliently to emotional states and the flow of life every day, as well as dealing with situations realistically and learning more about yourself and how things you do affect your feelings. The day-to-day stresses that many of us face, such as long commutes in heavy traffic, meeting the demands of a busy work and or school schedules, and not spending enough time with families or friends, can all take a toll on one’s mental well-being. One must develop and maintain a set of skills and strategies to prevent the onset of or shorten the duration of stress and illness that affects us all. We must do this while promoting recovery during a period of stress but also to maintain a sense of well-being during times of relative calm. Being well is more than just being free of disease, it is understanding how, when and why we seek help. We are all going to experience stressful times in our lives, and the expansion of good coping skills can allow us to maintain a balance even when experiencing overwhelming stress. Good mental health requires one to take stock of feelings, emotions, stress levels, and coping mechanisms. And just as you would for various physical illnesses, one must be willing to get screened by a healthcare provider when the signs of potential problem present itself. Taking responsibility for one’s total wellness and acting on areas of health that need addressing, will lead to prevention of mental health conditions, substance use conditions and promote societal features such as increase academic achievement, a more productive personal economy, and improve family structure. Here are a few things you can do to contribute to your own mental well-being:

• Practice Relaxation Techniques: Practicing deep breathing techniques, or progressive muscle relaxation are ways to help reduce stress and encourage relaxation.
• Take Time for Yourself: It is important to set aside time every day to allow yourself to relax and escape the stress of life.
• Get Active: Moving around and getting the heart rate up causes the body to release endorphins. Exercising provides some stress relief. Walking is the best way to boost your mental health.
• Read Something New: Reading can provide a temporary escape from reality. Reading can help you to de- stress by taking your mind off everyday life.
• Connect With Others: Building, maintaining and utilizing friends who are willing to listen and support you through good and bad times is indispensable.
• Have A Laugh: Adding humor to a stressful situation can help to lighten the mood. In addition, watching or reading comical material can be useful.
• Get Plenty Of Rest: The human body needs a chance to rest and repair itself after a long and stressful day. Sleeping gives the body this chance so that it is ready to perform another day. Try getting 7- 8 hours of sleep every night.
• Eat Healthy Foods: Eating foods that are good for you not only improve your physical health, but they play a major role in your mental health. This one can be hard while we are experiencing stress because we may eat to provide comfort. However, when your body gets the proper nutrients, it is better able to function in every capacity.

Mental Health is health so be good to yourself, physically and mentally for improved mental well-being!