Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood
To be able to appreciate a sound mental health, we must be aware of what mental problem is.
Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
However, we can maintain a healthy mental health by doing the following;
- Talk about your feelings: Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled.
- Keep active: Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate, sleep, and feel better.
- Eat well: Your brain needs a mix of nutrients in order to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body. A diet that’s good for your physical health is also good for your mental health.
- Keep in touch: There’s nothing better than catching up with someone face to face, but that’s not always possible. You can also give them a call, drop them a note, or chat to them online instead.
- Ask for help: None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things don’t go to plan. If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help.
- Take a break: A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, or a half-hour lunch break at work.