Health practitioners always seem to remind their patients to exercise as well as eat healthy all the time to keep up a healthy body. Though this is great, they forget one more significant aspect that unless the patient is mentally healthy, physical health does not matter. The World Health Organization describes health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not the absence of disease. This brings us to the conclusion that mental health is as important as physical health. Without it, people are unable to live their lives to the fullest due to the mental health struggles.
Why is Mental Health Important?
Mental health is a critical part of a daily healthy lifestyle, because:
- It is the very crucial factor behind the rational decision-making process that each person has.
- It is equally as important as the physical health, but most people do not know or understand this.
- It is part of what everybody uses for their daily lives without even recognizing.
- It is good for business – mental health is associated with better performance, higher productivity, and lesser workplace accidents.
- It eliminates absenteeism from ailing employees.
What Causes Mental Illnesses
Mental illness is caused by stressful conditions that the patient has been living under. All these conditions depend on how we receive them and the thoughts we build up in our minds.
These conditions may include:
- Anxiety and stress
- Addictions and compulsions
- Panic
- Anger
- Loss, bereavement, and grief
- Depression
- Infidelity, divorce or marriage issues
- Sexual problems
- Domestic violence or physical abuse
- Fertility issues
- Insomnia
- Life choices, e.g., career choices,
- Phobias
- Chronic pain or illness
- Eating disorders
The Stigma behind Mental Illness
Mental illness is highly associated with suicide with many people not seeking treatment. This is because, in the 21st Century, mental illness and suicide attempt patients still face a lot of stigmas. The stigma is openly played both at home and in the workplace making it hard for the patients to get help.
- In the workplace – Anxiety and stress in the workplace are commonly known to affect the physical health. This is physically evident with the patient losing or gaining weight depending on how they deal with this kind of stress. Stress and anxiety that affects the mental health are not visible until the adverse effects have taken a toll on the patient.
- At home – Both younger and older adults are affected by mental illness. It is shocking to discover that younger adults are mostly the ones encouraged to seek a mental health professional compared to the older adults. Older adults are prone to committing suicide or living with the psychological illness condition because most do not get the attention or help they require from those around them. Older adults who are rejected by their close loved ones always feel ashamed to open up to strangers and speak about their mental health. Fear stops them from getting the assistance they require ending up destroying their lives.
How to Take Care of Your Mental Health
Most ordinary people have been ignorant of their mental health until something drastic happens that awakens them to the truth. Do we care about what we can do to keep ourselves mentally healthy? Just as we work out our physical bodies, do we work out our mind to ensure it remains healthy throughout? Doing so is important! But how would you work out your mind?
There are plenty of ways available to improve your mental health especially if you are already ailing. They include:
- Meditation – in Yoga training is highly recommended for the better functioning of the brain making it an essential tool to deal with the mental health. Joining a Yoga center where you can be motivated by others can be of great help.
- Counselling and professional help – When someone is going through a rough phase of mental health, it is essential to go for counseling. Such treatments can help those who are suffering from emotional and behavioral problems or even those with mental health disorder. This kind of professional help also known as talk therapy or psychotherapy.
- Care and Concern – People dealing with mental illness have been hurt, rejected or physically harmed. It would be ideal to love them, care for them and show concern over their health. Be the one to encourage rather than stigmatize!
- Medication – Though most do not want to be subjected to a daily dosage, it gets to a point where the patient cannot do without medication. At this point, the doctor prescribes something to help them come down. It is essential to follow the doctors prescription to get treatment.
For those who are not suffering from mental illness, the best way to take care of your mental health is by:
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle every day – A healthy lifestyle means eating well, sleeping enough hours, developing healthy coping skills, staying positive and connecting with others to keep the optimism.