What Is Mental Health?
Commonly, the term ‘mental health’ is misinterpreted as most of us use it as the substitute world for mental illness. In a nutshell, mental health refers to psychological and emotional well-being that affects how an individual feels, performs and thinks. Mental health also refers to the mental potential of an individual that he or she needs to cope with the usual stresses of day to day life, without affecting their general behavior.
Why Mental Health Is Important?
Most of us know about and lay great emphasis on physical wellbeing, but very few of us know that the same depends on having a great mental health. Good mental health is essential not only for living a relatively happy and healthy life but also for increasing productivity, enhancing learning capacity, boosting creativity and intensifying social relationships. However, mental health is a complex subject. And although you might be enjoying good overall health, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your mental health is okay as well.
If you are a student, we don’t really have to discuss the daily ordeal and stresses of life in the academic cycle. Rather, we will tell you some essential tips on World Mental Health Day 2018 that will help you improve mental health and hopefully become better at whatever you do.
Eat Healthy
Nutrition and mental health has a clear connection as there are many vitamins, acids and minerals that directly affect overall outcome of human brain. Almost all experts agree on taking all these kind of nutrients directly from food as opposed to supplements. Eating a variety of foods that are rich in VitaminD, B6 and different amino acids helps our body to feed the brain at its most. Eating foods that are suitable for your mental growth is simple. You just have to eat more natural foods and less processed foods. Main rule of thumb is to eat fruit, nuts, and vegetables in their original form without being cooked as well as dairy products from organic grass-fed animals. Here is a list of foods that are high in mental health nutrients.
Oily fish
Yoghurt
Berries
Walnuts
Broccoli
Spinach
Eggs
Beans
Here are foods you must avoid as much as possible if you want a healthy mind:
Regular Soda
Ketchup
Coffee
Processed meat
Refined vegetable oil
Exercise
For sure exercise can improve your muscle size and physical capacity, but it can also improve mental health. Exercise is among those few lifestyle modifications that can directly affect the wellness of your brain. If you want to reduce negative mood, anxiety, depression, and improve self-esteem, some basic exercises such as jogging, cycling, walking and swimming can do the job for you within no time. Exercising daily will not only transform your body but also give your brain an enormous sense of well-being. Here are some quick exercises you can do at anytime to empower your brain:
Yoga
Running
Boxing
Lifting weights
Doing chores with your Non-Dominant Hand
Get Sleep
Taking rest is crucial as an average human being spends one third of his or her life span sleeping. Poor sleep is the main cause of mental illness and precisely related to mental health. One can never achieve a sound mind without the right amount of good quality sleep. If you want to achieve a productive mind filled with positivity, try to make small lifestyle changes. And while quality sleep is essential, the quality of environment around you is another major factor for mental health. Try to avoid TV, Mobile phone and eating in bed. Difficulty in sleeping is a key indicator of mental disturbance and should not be ignored. Establish a sleep routine and try to clear your mind before going to bed. Also avoid the temptation to spend lots of time in bed during the day.
Disconnect
Another major reason for poor mental health among the youth is a constant illusion of life in the virtual world. Comparing your life with exaggerated adventures of others, as posted on the social media, may leave one disappointed in one’s own standing. Don’t fall into that illusory trap. No one will show you their hardships on social media sites, so stop feeling inferior. Disconnect for a while and enjoy the real world. Head out to the park and enjoy the scenery. Trust us, you will feel much better than you do at the most exotic of exotic destinations.
Avoid Negativity
There are two types of humans: ones who brighten up the room when they enter it and others who brighten up the room when they leave. Try to avoid negative thinking as much as possible, make your life gossip-free, be a critical thinker instead of being a critical person. Always remember that nothing good can come out of being negative so you have to conquer it if you want a shrewd mind. that is a sure fire way to improve mental health.
Be Thankful
Since many years, researchers have been publishing studies about how being thankful can bring positive change on overall mental health. Being thankful not only boost our immune system but also plays a vital role to develop a mind full of creativity and ability to cope with life-threatening crisis. With no physical effort this is completely free activity that one can perform to boost mental health. Here are some quick tips that will help you to become a more thankful person:
Every day note down three good things that happen to you
Express gratitude toward your partner or friends on regular basis
Focus your attention on what’s good
Thank yourself for the good habits
Look outward instead of looking inward
Put yourself in the shoes of someone who is having bad times
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