How to Achieve Good Mental Health

When someone is not in a good mental space it can have a huge impact on their daily living. A lot of emphasis is given to our physical health, and it should, but recently it has been seen that emphasis also needs to be placed on our mental health. This has been mainly because mental health problems are more common than society cares to admit. In the last few years, it has been encouraging to see how much mental health is being given priority and how people are finally starting to talk about it.

What then is mental health? If someone is considered to be mentally healthy it means that they are in a state of well-being that is marked by having one’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, and relationships in a good place. This is someone who can cope with life’s stresses and changes. It does not mean their life is perfect or without strife, it just means that they have the necessary tools to still live a fulfilling life despite it all.

Though some of us are naturally born with a better inclination toward good mental health due to genetics, upbringing, and social-environmental factors, mental health is not something reserved for the lucky few. Having good mental health is an achievable prospect, especially because with the right treatments and support, mental health is treatable. Granted, some of us live with complex diagnosed mental health problems, but even then, it is important to note that one can achieve a normal and fulfilling life when one seeks professional help.

Why Is Good Mental Health Important?

Good mental health is important for a variety of reasons. For starters, when a person is mentally healthy it means that their mental state is in a good place. This means their ability to pay attention, make important decisions, think critically, plan, and multi-task is not hindered. All of these cognitive abilities are crucial to all our daily functions. All of this is directly linked to how motivated we feel about life and how many of our goals we can attain. All areas of our lives will thrive when our mental health is in good standing.

Good mental health is also responsible for one’s ability to build resilience in the face of troubling times. Our world is constantly changing and all of us are faced with difficult realities. Having good mental health gives us the ability to navigate all of these troubling times without developing symptoms of severe anxiety, stress, or depression.

Some physical illnesses are linked to poor mental health. Our ability to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression can protect us from such illnesses as heart disease, high blood pressure, fatigue, and strokes. This means that good mental health helps us combat certain physical ailments.

Our ability to relate with others is a result of good mental health. When someone is mentally healthy they can be present for their loved ones, function well in group settings at work, and build strong lasting interpersonal relationships. Building a social community around us is vital for support, encouragement, love, and connection, aspects of our being that contribute greatly to our general well-being.

Seeing the importance of good mental health, it is of great importance that as a society we rally around mental health awareness. October has been declared Mental Health Awareness Month. This is a huge step. It has helped in educating the public to remove some of the shame, fear, and stigma attached to mental health. Awareness has also been important in informing the public about possible symptoms of several mental health issues. This has been responsible for many people getting professional help early.

Tips For Good Mental Health

Just like attaining good physical health, achieving good mental health is also a possibility. It is not something a few of us are born with and the rest of us live a life without it. Improving or maintaining good mental health, however, does not happen on its own. There are certain life strategies and lifestyle choices that can aid.

Activity – Movement has a lot of benefits for the body. Whether it is activity through exercise or going out into nature and exploring, our body craves physical activity for good mental health. Apart from the obvious benefits like being fit and healthy, physical activity allows us to connect with others through group activities or sports. We also challenge our cognitive abilities by exposing ourselves to new experiences and challenges. All of these can be a guard against symptoms of depression like withdrawal and isolation.

Rest and recuperation – In the fast-paced world we are living in, it is vital that we make rest and recuperation a priority if we are to have good mental health. Creating and maintaining boundaries that safeguard against overworking, and ultimately burn-out, is one way. Rest and recuperation need to be made part of one’s calendar or planner. Making rest a priority means that the body and mind are not overworked to exhaustion.

Social connection – Building a strong social network is good for one’s mental health. We are made for relationships and we cannot thrive in isolation. This means building and maintaining positive relationships with family, friends colleagues, and church family members. Social connection aids in someone having a sense of belonging and a sense of being loved and appreciated. Social connections can also be a great source of support during difficult times.

Sense of Purpose – Seeking and doing things in life that bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment can be beneficial to good mental health. This means that a person seeks out those things that align with their beliefs and values and pursues them. This can be in a job setting or volunteering for projects or causes. When we feel fulfilled, we feel better about ourselves and hence our mental health is made stronger.

Healthy Life Choices- Achieving good mental health for some could mean changing their lifestyle choices. Our body, mind, and soul rely on us to make choices that feed them what they need for us to live a healthy and fulfilling life. This means we have to be watchful about what we are eating, what we are feeding our soul through what we consume from media and the world, and finally how we are maintaining our physical body. This can mean we make certain choices about what we watch on the news or if we cut out food from our diet that is not good for us.

Self-Love / Acceptance – When one lives a life where they do not love and accept themselves, they can be riddled with feelings of low self-esteem and struggle with issues like anxiety and depression. Self-acceptance is the ability to know and accept yourself as you are, knowing full well what your limitations and weaknesses are. This ability to view oneself in this way takes the need to be perfect off the table, which is a great source of stress for many.

Professional Help – When trying to achieve good mental health, professional help can be invaluable. This can include help sought from mental health professionals, dieticians, doctors, personal trainers, etc. Depending on what a person’s needs are, seeking the help of those who know and understand the interplay between lifestyle and mental health will be worth the investment.

Inquire For Professional Assistance

Starting the journey to good mental health can be daunting if you do not know where to start and what to look for. If you need assistance in understanding what it takes to have good mental health, please reach out to our offices. We have a supportive staff and counselors who are waiting to hear from you. They will provide you with a safe space to help with any inquiries you might have.