Mental Health and Well-Being - Know What Causes Poor Health and Tips to Stay Healthy

Mental Health and Well-Being: Mental health refers to how well we feel emotionally, mentally, and socially. It's about how we handle stress and daily challenges. Good mental health helps us use our skills, make decisions, and participate in our communities. It's important to note that mental health isn't just about mental illnesses. It's about feeling well mentally, regardless of whether we have a psychiatric condition or not.

Mental Health Conditions

Mental Health and Well-being Characteristics

• Enjoying life is a sign of good mental health, meaning feeling good about the essential parts of your life.
• Life satisfaction includes good health, relationships, belongingness, being active, achieving goals, positive attitude,  and hope.
• Social support is necessary for good mental health, as loneliness can lead to various physical and mental health issues.
• The quality of relationships matters more than the number of connections for mental well-being.
• Being emotionally flexible and allowing oneself to experience various emotions is necessary for mental health.
• Lack of psychological flexibility is linked to specific mental health issues while being flexible is considered better for life balance.

Symptoms of Mental Health Problems

• Changes in eating habits, like eating too much or too little.
• Feeling more tired than usual.
• Avoiding social situations and spending more time alone.
• Feeling consistently sad.
• Using alcohol, tobacco, or other substances more than usual.
• Having confusing or intense emotions like anger, guilt, or worry.
• Having extreme mood swings.
• Arguing more with family and friends.
• Hearing voices that don't have a clear source.
• Having thoughts of harming oneself or others.
• Struggling to complete daily tasks efficiently.

What Causes Poor Mental Health?

• Trauma: Experiencing trauma can cause anxiety, depression, anger, hopelessness,
• Family history: Mental illnesses often run in families, including bipolar disorder and depression
• Low income: Having a low income is associated with higher stress, anxiety, and depression and can limit access to mental health services.
• Medical illness: Chronic illnesses can lead to psychological distress, especially depression.
• Ignoring healthcare: Ignoring healthcare can negatively impact physical and mental health.
• Unhealthy relations : Unhealthy relationships can increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
• Poor social skills: Lack of social skills can lead to loneliness, increased stress, and worsened physical health.

Benefits of Good Mental Health

• Good mental and emotional well-being makes it easier to handle life's challenges.
• Mental health affects how we see ourselves, leading to higher confidence and a positive attitude.
• It helps us to provide support and affection to loved ones.
• Mental strength improves efficiency and the quality of work.
• A good mental health condition is helpful in our good social life.

Tips for Staying Mentally Healthy

• Physical Exercise: Exercise reduces stress and improves mood by releasing feel-good hormones.
• Adequate Sleep : Getting seven hours of sleep each night improves mental well-being.
• Help Others : Acts of kindness reduce stress and enhance overall happiness.
• Learn Coping Skills : Good coping skills, like seeking support, help manage stress effectively.
• Stay Connected: Social interaction reduces stress and improves mental health.
• Positive Attitude: Optimism and positive thinking lead to better mental health conditions.