What is the first thought you have when you hear about mental health? Most people associate mental health with only relating to illness. Mental health is part of our overall health.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Mental health constitutes (be a part of a whole) wellness and illness. It affects thinking, mood, and behavior. Also, it affects daily living, relationships, and physical health. Mental health influences how you see yourself, your life, and other people.
What Is Mental Illness?
According to the American Psychiatric Association website. Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.
Mental illness is a physical illness of the brain which changes the way you think, behave, energy or emotion and causes it to be difficult to cope. The common illnesses are anxiety and depression.
“ You can have anxiety but still sound confident. You can have depression but still, smile and make jokes. You can feel suicidal but still, turn up to work every day and appear fine.”
Studies show that mental illness impacts physical health directly and indirectly. For example, depression impacts mood and motivation but also can affect the immune system. People with depression often feel tired and overwhelmed and physically you become fatigued. Also, anxiety and anger can trigger heart attacks.
How to Improve Mental Health and Physical Health?
The key facts of being mentally healthy are that you can cope with life stresses, you become physically healthy, you can manage and be productive in work and relationships, and you know your own potential. There are several ways to take care of your mental health. The most important part of being mentally healthy is self-care and seeking counseling. Self-care involves good sleeping patterns, seeking activities that you enjoy, and taking a walk outside. Some people can also benefit from counseling or seeing a therapist. You don’t have to have a mental illness to seek a therapist.
Taking care of your mental health means that your physical health can improve and vice versa. Eating healthy, exercising, and taking a break from the screen (tv, tablet, computer, etc) are some ways you can improve your physical health.