In our daily lives, we often discuss our physical fitness, wellness, and nutrition, but we tend to overlook the topic of importance of mental health. Is it our ignorance or denial, or lack of measurable parameters like weight or pressure?
Things like stress, anxiety, feeling down without proper reasons, lack of focus, feeling exhausted or overwhelmed and overthinking can all be signs of mental health issues. However, we overlook such patterns, blame it on our surroundings and situations or just part of life till the day we reach an extreme end, disrupting our daily life and seek medical support .
Mental health refers to our overall well-being, including our emotions, thoughts, and social interactions. It influences how we think, feel, and behave, as well as how we handle stress, connect with others, and make decisions.
However, various situations and difficulties in life can impact our ability to cope with challenges. These factors can also disrupt our daily routines and our ability to adapt to these changes, highlighting the importance of mental health in adapting to life’s challenges.
When a child experiences physical assault, sexual violence, emotional abuse, or neglect from parents or society , death of parents, single parenting during their upbringing, it can result in significant mental and emotional distress if not addressed promptly.
Experiencing abuse raises the risk of developing mental disorders like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or personality disorders. Additionally, biological factors such as genes or brain chemistry, as well as family history, can contribute to
mental health problems.
Signs of Mental Health Problems:
- Changes in eating habits, such as overeating or under eating.
- Feeling low or lacking energy.
- Isolating oneself and avoiding social interactions.
- Experiencing a complete loss of hope, feeling desperate, anguish, and sadness.
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other substances.
- Unexplained confusion, anger, guilt, or excessive worrying.
- Severe mood swings.
- Starting arguments or picking fights with family and friends.
- Having thoughts of self-harm or causing harm to others.
- Difficulty performing daily tasks smoothly.
- Symptoms of anxiety disorders and panic disorders.
- Dealing with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), including unreasonable thoughts
and fears. - Experiencing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, angry, upset, worried, or scared.
Benefits of Good Mental Health
A Stronger Ability to Cope with Life’s Stressors
When mental and emotional states are at peak levels, the challenges of life can be easier to overcome.
A Positive Self-Image
Mental health greatly correlates with personal feelings about oneself. Confidence can often be a good indicator of a healthy mental state, reflecting the importance of mental health in fostering self-worth.
Healthier Relationships
If your mental health is in good standing, you might be more capable of providing your friends and family quality time, affection, and support. When you’re not in emotional distress, it can be easier to show up and support the people you care about.
Better Productivity
Dealing with depression or other mental health disorders can impact your productivity levels. If you feel mentally strong, it is more likely that you will be able to work more efficiently and provide higher quality work.
Higher Quality of Life
When mental well-being improves, your quality of life may improve.
Happiness
Happiness comes from within, rather than being dependent on external conditions and objects
Believing that you can overcome hurdles
Having confidence and courage to face the challenges of life with stable mind.
How to Maintain Mental Health and Well-Being
To keep mental health in shape, you need to introduce some life style changes
- Taking up regular exercises
- Prioritizing rest and sleep on a daily basis
- Practice good self-care. Control stress with activities such as meditation
- Keeping in touch with loved ones
- Maintaining a positive outlook on life
- Reach out to family and friends. Maintaining relationships with others is important
- Believing that your life is meaningful
- Develop coping skills. Establishing healthy coping skills can help people to deal with stress easier.
- Therapy can also help you address some of your own negative behaviors and provide you with the tools to make some changes in your own life.
By taking a proactive stance of improving, maintaining, and nurturing our mental health, we can ensure that we live healthy, productive, and meaningful lives.
It is our personal responsibility to face the challenges or the problems we go through in our life instead of blaming others or situations we come across.
About the Author: Rajeshwari Hiremath spent 25+ years in Corporate World in various leadership roles and now pursuing her passion projects. As a single parent she has seen the ups and downs of life. She worked on her resilience and inner-awareness through yoga, meditation, journaling and various ways shared in the article. She was part of Mindfully Sorted Women’s Retreat and an active member of the women’s community of Mindfully Sorted.
