MINDSHADOWS
MINDSHADOWS
Mental health is a widely discussed concept, these days. You might notice discussions about mental health online, in conversation, on your favorite show, or any number of other places. But widespread, frequent use of any term can lead the meaning to become blurred, if not misinterpreted entirely. So, if you come across the term often but still have some uncertainty around exactly what “mental health” refers to, you’re definitely not alone.
“Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” The WHO states that mental health is Peak mental health is not only about managing active conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness. It also emphasizes that preserving and restoring mental health is crucial individually and at a community and society level. In 2020, an estimated 14.2 million adultsTrusted Source in the U.S., or about 5.6%, had a serious psychological condition, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). According to a National Mental Health survey (2018), approximately 150 million people in India need care for their mental health conditions. According to estimates, there are roughly 5,500 psychiatrists and 26,000 hospital beds for people with mental health conditions, in India. Roughly, that translates into 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 population. West Bengal has a meagre 2000 beds in the state mental hospitals for over 1.25 crore of people with mental health conditions. There are approximately 450 psychiatrists catering to the needs of the population; roughly amounting to 1 psychiatrist for every 27,000 'patients'.
Mental health helps determine how you handle stress, relate to others, and make choices, explains Alison Seponara, a licensed professional counselor and author of the book “The Anxiety Healer’s Guide.” Seponara goes on to say that caring for your mental health can lead to:
Your mental health can impact everything about your life, Adeeyo says, including the ways you view and move through the world and your ability to handle the things life throws at you. That’s why building habits for better mental health can make a big difference in your day-to-day life.
There are many different things you can do to improve your mental health, including:
Sleep isn’t just a nonnegotiable for physical health. It also plays an essential role in mental health. One 2021 studyTrusted Source included data from 273,695 adults in the United States. The researchers found that people who averaged 6 hours of sleep or less per night were about 2.5 times more likely to report frequent mental distress than those who averaged more than 6 hours of sleep. The quality of your sleep matters, too: Disrupted sleep can contribute to mental health symptoms. To get enough high quality sleep, try starting with these habits:
Healthy sleep habits can be harder to build on your own if you have a sleep disorder.
“Constantly consuming information about other people’s lives may cause someone to compare themselves and promote feelings of low self-worth, which increases feelings of anxiety and depression,” says Adeeyo. To spend less time on social media, try to:
Talking to someone you trust – whether a friend, a family member, or a colleague – can help. You may feel better if you are able to openly share what you are going through with someone who cares about you. If you live in an area where face-to-face interactions are limited, you can still stay connected with your loved ones through a video call, phone call or messaging app.
Humans are social creatures, and strong relationships can have a positive influence on your mental health in various ways. Friendships, for example, can:
You have plenty of options for cultivating positive connections and nurturing your friendships:
Talking to someone you trust – whether a friend, a family member, or a colleague can help. You may feel better if you are able to openly share what you are going through with someone who cares about you. If you live in an area where face-to-face interactions are limited, you can still stay connected with your loved ones through a video call, phone call or messaging app.
Exercise offers a range of mental health benefits, including:
To get started, experiment with a range of physical activities and keep doing the ones that resonate with you. Enjoyable movement could include:
In other words, you don’t have to do a vigorous workout to support mental wellness.
Certain foods can also affect your mental health. To support improved mental health, try expanding your current diet to include foods packed with mood-boosting nutrients like:
It can also help to simply make sure you fuel your body every day — eating anything is better than eating nothing.
As you explore new behaviors and begin incorporating them into your routine, aim to frame these changes as self-kindness, not self-punishment. Maintaining a gentle, kind attitude toward yourself can do a lot more to improve your mental health and overall outlook than criticism and negative self-talk. “Work on your mental health from a place of care,” Davis recommends. Not sure where to start? You’ll find 8 strategies to promote improved mental health below, along with some guidance on seeking professional support. As you explore new behaviors and begin incorporating them into your routine, aim to frame these changes as self-kindness, not self-punishment. Maintaining a gentle, kind attitude toward yourself can do a lot more to improve your mental health and overall outlook than criticism and negative self-talk. “Work on your mental health from a place of care,” Davis recommends.