Looking after your mental health is more important than ever. From dealing with the recent pandemic to navigating the complexities of everyday life, access to good mental health care is vital.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is most often used to describe emotional and psychological well-being. Everyone has mental health in the same way they have physical health, and just like physical health, mental health needs maintenance.
Some people think that mental health is synonymous with mental illness, but this is not the case. Mental illness, or mental health issues, refers to problems that impact our mental health and includes conditions such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Factors that can challenge and influence our mental health include:
- Resilience – resilient people can quickly bounce back from adversity and tend to have a more positive view of themselves and their ability to cope with challenges. Resilience varies from person to person, but it can be developed, and improving your resilience can boost and protect your mental health.
- Family history – research has shown that mental health conditions can run in families. Having a close relative such as a parent with a condition such as depression or schizophrenia can increase the chances of developing the condition yourself.
- Support – having a good support network around can boost mental health. People who are lonely report lower mental and physical health, and those with less social support are at a higher risk of turning to substances to alleviate negative feelings. However, the number of connections you have is not necessarily as important as the quality of these relationships.
- A history of trauma – those with a history of trauma are more likely to struggle with mental health conditions such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Many people struggle with their mental health, and approximately one in every four people experience a mental health problem in England every year. Therefore, it is vital that we take care of our mental health by building our resilience and managing any symptoms we may have.
You can support and improve your mental health by:
- Exercising – physical activity is proven to boost mental health. Physical activity releases endorphins, which helps elevate our mood and increase well-being. Just 20-30 minutes of exercise per day can have a big impact.
- Being mindful – mindfulness is the practice of being present and aware of our surroundings. This includes meditating, but it can be as simple as being aware of how hot the water is and how the soap smells when you wash dishes or take a shower. Taking a few minutes to practise mindfulness every day can reduce stress and encourage self-compassion.
- Reviewing your diet – there is a strong link between what we eat and our mental health. For example, when your blood sugar drops, you can feel sad and tired, so eating regularly and incorporating more fruit, vegetables, and fibre into your diet can help you avoid crashing and keep your mood steady throughout the day.
- Finding healthy ways to cope – we all go through difficult periods now and again, and our mental health can take a hit. Finding healthy ways to cope with challenging periods, such as journaling, talking to loved ones, and going for a walk, can help preserve your mental health.
Self-care is a big part of supporting mental health. Taking the time to look after yourself by making sure that you eat healthy food, drink enough water, and exercise every day can have a bigger impact on your mental well-being than you may think. However, sometimes we may need more than this.
Seeking Help For Your Mental Health
Sometimes, no matter how well we take care of ourselves, problems can still occur. If you are struggling with a mental health condition, it is vital to seek professional help. Though you may feel that you can cope alone, mental health issues can worsen and lead to negative consequences such as increased stress, poor self-esteem, and damaged relationships.
There are many mental health treatments available, and while some people are reluctant to seek help due to the stigma surrounding mental health conditions, reaching out for support is the first step towards recovery.
Treatment that you may receive could include:
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) – CBT is a popular form of therapy that helps people identify problematic thought patterns and provides tools to replace them with healthier ones.
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) – a relatively new form of treatment, EMDR helps you to reprocess traumatic memories and reduce their intensity. EMDR does not involve a lot of talking, which makes it a suitable therapy option for those who struggle to talk about their experiences.
- Humanistic therapy – this style of therapy examines how your worldview affects your choices and is based on the belief that you are the best person to understand your needs. Therapists work to support you in making better, healthier choices without interpreting your feelings for you.
Conclusion
There are many ways to preserve and nurture positive mental health, including exercising and practising mindfulness, but sometimes we may need more support.
This is where Vitalis Wellbeing comes in. Our professional therapists are fully equipped to offer comprehensive therapy packages tailored to your exact needs. Contact us today to find out more.
