Being mentally well means that a person's mind is in order, functioning at will and in the best interest.
A mentally sound person will be able to think, feel and act in a way that can positively impact a person's physical and social well-being.
What is mental well-being?
Keeping mental health in a good state is referred to as mental well-being. A person needs to look after mental health regularly even if they are not struggling, feeling low, anxious or stressed.
It is an aspect of life that a person needs to invest time and improve, just like physical health.
Being on top of mental health is essential for a person and helps them to deal with and manage difficult times.
What is the importance of mental illness?
Being mentally fit is a big positive for the person and those surrounding them. Having good mental health will make a person realise their capabilities to cope with challenges thrown at them, be more productive at work and contribute to society.
Having good mental health requires effort and time. A person can constantly improve their physical and psychological well-being.
What are the top tips to improve mental wellness?
A person can grow into a better mental space if they follow some tips like
Being nice to oneself
When a person is feeling low, it is easy for them to be hard on themselves, but it is a scary feeling and can lead to self-sabotaging. When we are unable to complement ourselves, we can try to be compassionate to lift ourselves from a dark place.
Exercise
Exercise is crucial for all of us. Regular or moderate to intense exercise can provide various physical and mental health benefits.
Exercise can protect against various chronic diseases, helps a person lower their blood pressure and improve heart health. Exercise can improve a person's cognitive health by reducing feelings of anxiety and depression.
Exercise like short walks or climbing stairs can reduce stress and increase mental alertness. If exercise is performed as a routine, it can boost a person's mood, improve concentration and help alleviate various symptoms of mental health conditions.
Healthy diet
Nutrition plays a vital role in determining a person's health. A balanced, healthy diet is essential to improve a person's physical and mental health and maintain it in good condition.
By consuming healthy food, the body gets all the required nutrition to perform its regular functions smoothly without a problem. Consuming more fruits and vegetables can improve a person's health significantly. Food plays a crucial role in everyday life, so it is essential to have a healthy attitude towards food. Consuming food of a person's choice and enjoying new food is healthy until it become an obsession.
Having such a balance between the food which is healthy for the body and food that a person consumes to satisfy their cravings can give both physical and mental health benefits.
Eating disorders can take a toll on a person's health. Recognising them as early as possible and effectively managing them with treatment is essential.
When a person sticks to a diet of consuming healthy food, they are setting themselves up for fewer mood fluctuations and carry an overall happier outlook.
Just like an expensive sports car that performs efficiently with premium fuel, our brain and mental health provide optimal function if it is fuelled with the right food.
Adequate sleep
Sleep is essential to remain healthy. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends approximately eight hours of sleep every night for teenagers for good health.
Sleep is a natural state of mind that can rest a person and re-energise them. The quality of sleep also plays an important role in determining how well a person can recover from physical or mental exhaustion.
Getting enough sleep will prevent cognitive decline and reduce various mental disorders.
Reducing screen time before bed
Daily studies have shown that consistently looking at screens before bedtime can affect sleep quality and how quickly a person can fall asleep.
The blue light emitted by smartphones can affect the production of a hormone called melatonin that helps regulate the sleep or wake cycle.
Deep breathing
A breath focus is a common feature of various techniques that can enhance the relaxation response in the body. The first step in breath focus is learning to breathe deeply.
Deep breathing is a conscious effort of breathing in air through the nostrils fully to fill the lungs and exhale slowly.
Taking a nice slow breath, feeling the belly expand and the air passing through the ribs and lungs. Exhaling slowly can relax the body to help a person sleep better.
Deep breathing is a proven technique to ease anxiety, stress and uplift a person's mood. Practising deep breathing regularly can uplift mental well-being.
Socialising or connecting with others
Socialising doesn't mean spending time with friends, family or pets. Even a casual, friendly hello to a random stranger can boost positive feelings and help a person fight against depression or anxiety.
Socialising gives a feeling of being connected to other people and helps a person focus on the quality of the relationship over quantity.
Socialising and connecting can make a person and others feel happy, supported, valued and loved. Therefore, it is important to socialise to uplift the mood of oneself and others constantly.
Socialising with people can lighten the mood and make a person feel happier. It can also reduce the risk of dementia and promote a sense of safety, security and belonging.
Jotting down the ways to relax
Relaxing is easier when said than to do. Unwinding from all the work and staying calm is a good practice to help a person beat stress.
Writing down a list of ideas, including activities or ideas that can boost positive feelings and help ourselves in distress, can be helpful.
Doing so allows us to try one at a time. These activities can help reduce short-term or quick fixes a person usually takes, which can be harmful.
Listing down ways to relax can help a person overcome bad habits like alcoholism or substance abuse and help them in the long run.
Finding support
Finding support or being supportive is the first step to preparing anyone for mental wellness. The help can come in the form of a friend or a family member, or it can also be a counsellor, a primary care doctor or mental health professional.
If the person is giving someone the exact support they require, it can make them feel supported and increase them to lead a productive life.
Such moral support is required for everyone to recover from various health conditions. The government also takes the initiative to help multiple people with mental disorders have a support system that can positively impact their mental health.
Taking small steps
It is not possible to catch two rabbits at a time. Doing everything at once will most likely get a person nowhere. Setting attainable goals and then taking small steps with enough rest is important. Being realistic and planning every step can reduce the stress on a person to complete an everyday task and make them more productive at work.
Being kind to oneself
Mindfulness plays a crucial role in improving the overall health of a person. Various studies have shown that mindful approaches can significantly reduce the symptoms of different mental health conditions and fight against anxiety or depression.
It is essential to be kind to oneself. Accepting oneself as they are is the first step to physical, emotional and mental well-being and good health. Self-love and healthy lifestyle choices can improve a person's mental health and promote mental well-being.
By adopting such practices, a person can improve their lives and provide moral support to others.
To sum up
Mental wellness is a positive state of mind without any mental illness. Being mentally fit is essential to leading a productive life and fighting against various mental health conditions.
Mindfulness and other healthy lifestyle practices can help a person keep mental wellness at an optimal level and prevent cognitive health decline.
