May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, which is such an increasingly important theme these days. Oftentimes, mental health is misunderstood, misrepresented and ill-defined or overlooked. This month, focus is specifically placed on bringing awareness and educating each other on this illness, as well as sharing tools and resources. So, let’s learn from one another and not be ashamed to bring awareness and talk about it, as necessary.
What is mental health? It is not easy to define, as it involves so many areas – it refers to cognitive, behavioral and emotional well-being. It is all about how people think, feel and behave. More specifically, it is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, and how to cope with the normal stresses of life. It also tends to determine how someone handles stress, relate to others, and makes healthy choices.
There are several dimensions of wellness (each needed to produce a balanced state of mind & positive wellness).
- Social Wellness – the ability to relate and connect with others; building positive relationships in the community
- Emotional Wellness – most commonly referred to as mental wellness; being able to identify how you’re feeling and why
- Spiritual Wellness – this is about establishing peace and harmony in life
- Environmental Wellness – protecting the environment and your personal surroundings
- Occupational Wellness – providing a work environment that is conducive to both good health and productivity
- Intellectual Wellness – opening the mind to new ideas and experiences that can benefit your personal and professional life
- Physical Wellness – the ability to complete daily activities without extreme fatigue or stress
Now, with an understanding about these dimensions, let’s briefly go over some tips to keep your mental health in good shape!
- Value yourself – Know your self worth and how you contribute to others in your life.
- Take care of yourself (self-care) – Keep active, eat healthy, drink water and get enough rest/sleep.
- Learn how to deal with stress – Develop good habits and routines to cope when stress arises. Practice techniques to relieve pain or tension and relax your body.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs – Nothing good comes from the use of these substances. Just stay away!
- Quiet your mind – Find a quiet space and spend some time in silent meditation or prayer. This does wonders to enhance your communications & interactions, as well as the effects of any therapies.
- Develop a sense of meaning and purpose – Purpose comes from knowing what’s important in your life; to understand what your passion is, and then pursue it with all your heart.
- Get help when you need it – If and when you need to talk with someone, do so!
Overall, take your mental health as seriously as you take the other aspects of your being. It is something that will definitely contribute to your success, if you prioritize it and manage it.
If you need someone to assist you in the process of learning how to establish and maintain good/positive mental health, click here and let’s start with a conversation.
For additional information and resources on mental health, visit the National Institute of Mental Health (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/).
-Chintz 💄
Looking for more articles? Check out: How Do You Really Feel About Where You Are in Life Right Now? and What Does It Actually Feel Like to Be a Woman In a Mid-Life Crisis? Or, click here for additional articles.
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