For the past decade, mental health has been a topic many people have become more interested in as it impacts their overall wellbeing. Having good mental health is not just the absence of illness; it is the aggregation of your entire wellbeing. There is so much information on the internet about mental health, and getting the correct information from a trustworthy website is essential.
Concept of mental health
The concept of mental health is greatly influenced by culture and, as such, differs from one culture to the next. However, there are a few things that cut across, such as building and maintaining relationships with people, the ability to set and fulfil goals and the ability to cope with stress and manage grief.
Things that impact mental health
Mental health is impacted by numerous social, psychological, biological and environmental factors. Some of these include the following.
Community factors
Community factors that impact mental health include social support, participation in society, sense of belonging, community activities, and diversity.
Individual factors
Some of the factors that impact mental health based on your traits include social integration and skills, coping with stressors, and coping with grief.
Structural factors
This refers to the availability of economic resources, education, employment, discrimination, and safe living environments.
Guide to mental health and wellbeing
As stated earlier, your mental health impacts your entire wellbeing, and as such, you must ensure that you are in good health both mentally and physically. You need to be in the best frame of mind if you are to flourish. Here are some things you can do to improve your mental and overall well-being.
First of all, eat well and get enough exercise. This cannot be overemphasised enough as the link between a healthy body and a healthy mind is clear. So, try to eat nutritious and well-balanced diets every day and exercise as well.
Secondly, sleep well and get enough rest. The body needs time to repair tissues and get back to its best after a long day. The only way this can happen is when it is at rest, and sleep offers the best opportunity for that. A good night’s rest will improve your well-being and have you well prepared for the next day.
Identify your stressors and know how to manage your stress. Once you know what will lead to stress, you can avoid or limit its effects. Choose healthy coping mechanisms that will enable you to handle your stress quickly and effectively.
Always be confident. Confidence is a huge psychological booster and will enable you to navigate many potentially tricky situations. So, build your confidence by trying out new things to challenge yourself.
Cultivate healthy relationships. Humans are social beings who cannot live like islands. But not all relationships are good, so you have to make it a point to cultivate healthy relationships that will improve your mental health and wellbeing.
Make time to enjoy the things you love. When you engage in activities that you enjoy, it provides some balance to your otherwise scheduled life concerning work and family. Take some time for yourself and spend it doing whatever makes you happy.
Always be realistic and optimistic. Set personal and professional goals that you can achieve, and once you attain those goals, set new ones. It will do you a lot of good and improve your mental health and overall wellbeing.
Remember that your mental health and overall wellbeing are essential. Whenever you feel like you need to talk, reach out for help and get the support you need.
