Generally when we think about our health we are more inclined to focus primarily on our physical health, but rarely consider mental health as a factor influencing our overall well-being.
We seldom construe our negative moods as a health issue that we need to restore to health or take preventative measures from as we would our physical illnesses and injuries. Usually when we seek help, our mental health has been neglected to an extent that we may already be losing the ability to maintain our day-to-day functions of sleeping, eating, brushing our teeth or going to work.
Furthermore, our physical health could also begin to decline as we may start to experience aches and pains, poor energy, poor sleep, and headaches, etcetera. We may also notice our relationships and work performance being affected by our moods as we may get easily irritated by others, having poor concentration or focus on the task at hand, or the lack of interest in doing things we used to enjoy.
Being emotionally and mentally healthy doesn’t mean you are free from low moods or experiencing emotional problems. Mental or emotional health refers to your overall psychological well-being. It includes the way you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your ability to manage your feelings and deal with difficulties.
Good mental health isn’t just the absence of mental health problems. Being mentally or emotionally healthy is much more than being free of depression, anxiety, or other psychological issues. The focus is that people with good emotional health have an ability to bounce back from adversity, trauma, and stress. This ability is called resilience.
One of the main factors in resilience is the ability to manage stress and your emotions. The capacity to recognise your emotions and express them appropriately helps you avoid getting stuck in depression, anxiety, or other negative mood states. Another key factor is having a strong support network. Having trusted people you can turn to for encouragement and support will boost your resilience in tough times. Look to your co-workers, friends, family and mental health counsellors for the support you need.
People who are mentally and emotionally healthy have:
A sense of satisfaction and gratification.
An enthusiasm for living and the ability to laugh and have fun.
The ability to deal with stress and bounce back from adversity.
A sense of meaning and purpose, in both their activities and their relationships.
The flexibility to learn new things and adapt to change.
A balance between work and life.
The ability to build and maintain fulfilling relationships.
Self-confidence and high self-esteem.
Taking care of your body and mind is a powerful first step toward mental and emotional health. When you improve your physical health, you’ll automatically experience greater mental and emotional well-being. For example, exercise not only strengthens our heart and lungs, but also releases endorphins, the powerful chemicals that increases our energy and improve our mood.
The activities you engage in and the daily choices you make effect the way you feel physically and emotionally. So here are some examples of healthy life choices you can make to improve your mental health.
Get enough rest. To have good mental and emotional health, it’s important to take care of your body. That includes getting enough sleep and rest time in your day to day routine.
Learn about good nutrition and practice it. Your nutritional needs can influence your mood and energy. Learn about healthy diet through you own research, consulting your family doctor or a dietician.
Exercise. Exercise is a powerful way to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Look for small ways to add activity to your day, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going for a short walk.
Manage your stress levels. Stress takes a heavy toll on mental and emotional health, so it’s important to keep it under control. While not all stressors can be avoided, stress management strategies can help you bring things back into balance such as exercise, meditation, talking to a friend, reducing the number of stressful thoughts, etcetera.
Make time for contemplation and appreciation. Think about the things you’re grateful for. Meditate, pray, enjoy the sunset, or simply take a moment to pay attention to what is good, positive, and beautiful as you go about your day.
In order to maintain and strengthen your mental and emotional health, it’s important to pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Don’t let stress and negative emotions build up. Try to maintain a balance between your daily responsibilities and the things you enjoy. By taking care of your mental health, you’ll be better prepared to deal with challenges if and when they arise.
Thinn Aung is a counsellor with the Employee Assistance Programme of the Cayman Islands. For more information about EAP, please call 949-9559.
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