Understanding your Mental health

“Mental health is not a destination, but a process. It is about how you drive, not where you are going.” A quote by Noam Shpancer

I do agree with the above quote, mental health is a process that is important to lift your health regardless of the outcome. It’s said that be mentally healthy NOW for NOW. Being mentally healthy is for a moment. It’s not something achieved in the long run.

Now, what does ‘Mental health’ is? MENTAL HEALTH- A PROCESS

There are many definitions to explain mental health but simply it means a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her abilities. It is all about individual thinking, behavior, and feeling. The WHO states that mental health is all about not only avoiding active conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness. Mental health can affect our daily living, relationships, and physical health. In such a case, you must consult a respective expert for counseling.

Mental illness- how?

The question here arise is how a person tends to know if he is mentally ill?

An answer to this question is- Because of unbalancing between life activities, responsibilities. Such as stress, depression, and anxiety are all affect mental health and cause disturbance to a personal routine.

Mental illness affects 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers, and 13% of children each year. Among which only one-half receive treatment, others even don’t show up or are often because of stigma attached to the mental health. There is no physical test or scanning process which can tell us about a person who develops a mental illness or not.

However, one must lookout for the following sign of mental health disorder:

· Drawing out from your friends and family

· Sleeping too much or very little

· Eating too much or very little

· Feeling hopeless

· Having negative emotions

· Thinking of causing yourself physical harm

· Mood swings

· Feeling confused

· Suicidal thoughts

· Feeling of giving up etc.,

Everyone at some point has some risk of developing a mental health disorder, no matter what their age, sex, income, etc.,

Also read | 4 Tips for your Quality Sleep

Some of the reasons why we often neglect our mental health needs are:-

1) In most societies, mental and emotional issues are considered less permissible than physical issues. Mental health issues are taken as a sign of weakness or a fault of one’s own.

2) Some people just see mental health problem as something which should not be known or just to bottle up their own feelings rather than seeking help. Such as Men, especially those who do not share their mental problems with others.

3) In this fast-moving world today, people are more obsessed with seeking quick and simple answers rather than reaching out to people in the real world. They depend on fake facts instead of tackling the main and important solutions.

4) There is thinking of people that for a mental and emotional problem, the only option is seeking medication and therapy but it’s not true. There are many other steps and processes from which one can make a way to improve mental problems and can experience greater mental and emotional well-being. A person needs to just understand and start improvising their own problems.

Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all.

It’s okay, to not be okay.

It’s okay to feel unstable.

It’s okay to disassociate.

It’s okay to need help.

It’s completely okay if you are going through any depression, anxiety, or stress.

But what’s not okay is to stay silent. Start understanding and accepting your emotions especially that one, which we often ignore.

Also read | 4 quick and effective ways to reduce stress.

Although the perception of mental health problems has improved over the decades, still the stigma against it is still powerful, due to lack of education, stereotype, etc., this stigma and misinformation about mental health are obstacles for someone who is struggling with it. So to deal with it, here are the few things one can do:-

1. Acceptance is the most important. Showing individual and acceptance remove barriers to successfully cope with your mental illness.

2. Learn more about your mental health and allow yourself to open up. Seek help from your friends and family in case needed, you may even take expert advice regarding mental health from the community of positive people on MMarbles.

3. Talking therapies are considered one of the most helpful treatments. It can help people to understand the root of mental illness and start to work on it.

4. Self-help plays a vital role. It helps a person to cope with mental health difficulties. Self-help starts with making changes in one lifestyle to facilitate wellness. One can take help from self-help groups or your close friends and family.

5. The mind and body are built-in linked. It means that if you improve your physical health you will automatically experience good mental health and emotional well-being. Regular exercise, activities can help in relieving stress, improves memory, sleep better and help people to cope with mental and emotional health problems.

6. Don’t stress too much. Keep a check on your stress level. Control your stress and balance your mood.

7. Eat well. An unhealthy diet can take a toll on your brain and mood, disturb your sleep, can make your immune system weak. So it’s important to have a good food habit.

“There is a hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t” stated John Green. To find purpose and meaning in your life. Think of different meanings and purposes in your life which involves benefitting others, as well as yourself. It’s up to you, to start making healthy choices today. Not choices that are just healthy for your body but healthy for your mind also.

Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step. Mental health is wealth. No other wealth is more important than your mental health. Mental health is nothing to be ashamed of. Your mental illness is not a personal failure. So start where you are. Take this process of mental health and keep growing yourself. And most important just don’t give up.