Mental Health 101: Understanding the Basics for a Healthier You
It is Mental Health Monday, again! If you are new to the mental health world, you have come to the right place. I was once someone who didn’t believe that mental health was a “thing”. I thought anything to do with mental health was “woo-woo” and that it was a crutch for many people to get out of being adults. Yeah, I used to think like that. That was until I got hit in the back of the face with my past and saw the future looking like an angry yeti. I became a shell and lost myself. I was broken. If you let your mental health go unchecked for too long, you will begin to experience physical health effects. There is so much involved with mental health that no blog post, podcast episode, or TikTok can cover it in one go. Let’s break this down Barney style and start developing a basic understanding of this beast we call mental health.
In today’s post, I want to briefly explain what mental health is. There are a few myths I would like to debunk, and I would also like to describe what a healthy mental health looks like! You need to see what lies ahead! I also want to provide some practical tips that I have found that work for me that you can try out yourself today! Let’s get started.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is an internal equilibrium based on your sense of self and is affected by your surrounding environment. It comprises your emotional well-being, psychological well-being, social well-being, resilience, and cognitive-function. Mental health impacts our quality of life along with physical and financial health.
Common Mental Health Myths
Myth 1: Mental health problems are rare.
National Institute of Mental Health reports that mental illnesses are common in the United States, affecting tens of millions of people each year. Only about half of those with mental illnesses receive treatment. Stress is a daily reality for everyone. According to the American Institute of Stress, 33% of people feel extreme stress, 77% experience stress that impacts their physical health, and 73% report their mental health is affected by stress. Over 48% report sleep problems due to stress.
Myth 2: Mental health issues are a sign of weakness.
Asking for help takes courage and strength. This is how we grow as humans and open doors to new possibilities. For example, I have personally witnessed employees get passed over for promotion due to the inability to regulate their emotions. I wouldn’t want a manager that flies off the handle because of a small hiccup. I would want someone who can take a step back, breathe, and help find a solution or determine another route.
Myth 3: Only people with mental disorders need to care about mental health.
Mental health affects everyone. It influences our physical and financial well-being. It can make or break our relationships with others, and you can help your kids get a head start. I hate that is didn’t start working on my mental health until I was 30, but better late than never!
Signs of Good Mental Health
Here are just a few signs of good mental health. You can view these as your future goals while you work towards a more positive mental health state!
Ability to cope with stress
Positive self-esteem and self-image
Healthy relationships and social connections
Ability to manage emotions and behavior
Tips for Improving Mental Health
Practice mindfulness and meditation
A cost-effective way to start is by watching YouTube videos! You can find videos on relaxing guided meditations or instructional videos on meditation techniques. The goal is to slow down and regulate your brain. Meditation feels weird at first, but it helps!
Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Here are three tips for better sleep from someone (me) that has had difficultly sleeping for around 5 years:
Consistent bedtime: Set an alarm for 8 PM (or your chosen time) to get into bed and relax. This will cause you to associate the bed with relaxing allowing you to fall asleep faster, and allow your mind to develop a routine.
Avoid stimulants: Avoid activities that elevate your heart rate, like watching action movies, playing certain video games, or drinking coffee, at least an hour before bed.
Try a sleep spray: Pillow sprays can help you relax naturally. Spray a couple of times on your pillow, let it dry, and then lay down and close your eyes. Works like a charm! (P.S. it is not chloroform)
Stay active and eat better.
Regular physical activity and balanced nutrition can improve your mental health. Personally, I started counting calories and macros to lose weight and noticed improvements in my mood, sleep quality, and overall outlook on life.
My Recommendation
I recommend reading "Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself" by Dr. Joe Dispenza for further insights on your overall mentality. I gained a lot of knowledge from it, and it helped me get more out of meditating. If you have Hoopla, you can listen to the audiobook for free!
Thank you!
Thanks for reading! If you would like more information, click here to receive weekly emails regarding mental, physical, and financial health information along with links to new blog posts, videos, and podcasts! Once you sign up, you will get your copy of “3 Essential Steps to Transform Your Life: A Guide to Getting it Together".
