Maintaining mental health in a traditional way

Mental health is a major issue in several communities and countries and has been a hot topic of discussion for some time. In the U.S., as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.) estimate, around one in five adults in the country experience a mental health condition each month. With the issue becoming even more pressing recently, it has become vital for governments, local bodies, and relevant organizations to prioritize mental health awareness. Unfortunately, anything related to mental health tends to have a fair amount of stigma, preventing productive discussions about it. 

You need to tune in to yourself regularly and permit yourself to consider your overall mental health so that you can best serve your needs. Mental health awareness is one of the most pressing issues facing the entire healthcare industry. That is why many countries have national campaigns every year to raise mental health awareness. Fighting stigma, providing support and resources to people in distress and their families, and advocating for policy change are essential parts of Mental Health Awareness Month. 

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Importance of mental health

Mental health is one aspect that affects our everyday lives. It also determines our physical well-being. Hence we must prioritize mental fitness in our daily lives. Mental fitness is the capability to function to the fullest in our daily lives. Maintaining a positive attitude and taking care of the mind helps in many ways, such as boosting productivity, enhancing self-image, and improving interpersonal relationships. It is also essential to remember that many cardiovascular problems and other diseases are caused due to stress. Since focusing on mental health helps alleviate stress, it leads to direct positive benefits for the whole body. 

Now, here are a few reasons why mental health is something that needs much more attention.

Impacts relationships

There is an intrinsic link between mental health and the state of human relationships. Mental illness can affect how you relate to friends and family. It often results in passive aggression, hostility, and an inability to participate in social activities. It can lead to conflicts with friends and family. Mental illness can sometimes force us to bring down loved ones for no apparent reason. Following self-care mechanisms can often help with mental well-being.

Affects physical well-being

Mental illness can cause stress and affect the immune system. As a result, the body’s ability to deal with a disease can be compromised. Mental illness can lead to anxiety and sadness, making it challenging to stay active and active. The mind-body connection is well established, so mental health awareness is critical. The way you feel daily is just as important as your physical health. Mental health counseling shows how negative thoughts can make you depressed, irritable, and confused. We can seek advice from friends, family, and mental health professionals to track our emotional and general well-being. Remaining under stress or suffering from issues can often hurt food habits, and that can also lead to a different set of problems. 

The link between mental health and suicide

According to a National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) study, 46% of those who commit suicide have a recognized mental illness. Another study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that about 60% of those who commit suicide have well-defined conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder, or dysthymia. This statistic demonstrates the link between mental health and suicide and how early medical intervention and self-care can help minimize deaths from suicide. Hence, it is essential to always pay attention to the mental health of those around you.

Increases violent tendencies

Some studies show that poor mental health increases the risk of committing a violent crime. It also leads to self-blame and abuse. This risk is even greater if the person uses drugs or alcohol and abstains from taking drugs. In most cases, crimes are committed by mentally ill persons against family members and close relatives. Getting mental health tips from your doctor and understanding why mental health is essential can help you avoid scenarios like this.

Impacts productivity and financial security

One of the many reasons mental health care is so critical is that it improves overall productivity and financial security. A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that people with severe mental illness earn 40% less than those who are mentally healthy. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 200 million workdays are lost each year to depression alone. It is well known that poor mental health leads to decreased productivity and impacts financial stability. It is vital to take appropriate mental health measures to ensure strong job performance and financial security.

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Is the mental health of an average person getting worse?

While it is still debatable whether the mental health condition of an average person is worse off than it was a few years ago, it is a fact that mental health conditions are becoming much more widespread. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression has become one of the significant reasons behind disability. Suicides have become the 4th leading cause of death for people aged between 15 to 29 years. The organization also found that the prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a whopping 25% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although most mental health conditions can be treated at affordable costs, there is still a substantial gap between individuals needing mental health care and those with access to such care.  

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How to prioritize mental health care?

While there are conventional medicinal treatments and therapy sessions to take care of mental health conditions, several traditional methods can boost your mental well-being. An essential thing in this regard is to avoid stress and practice effective stress management techniques that help us deal with it. Everyone has specific triggers that stress them. For example, an exam can be daunting and stressful for most people. However, constantly worrying about it is not fruitful. If you have to, you must find a way to deal with it because your exam is something you must face. Avoiding stressful situations can help. It would help if you distinguished between the avoidable and the unavoidable stressors, so find strategies for managing stress to take better care of yourself. Some of those stressors include talking to friends, believing in yourself, reassessing and reinterpreting your situation, meditating, going for a walk, listening to music, and exercising.

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What are some traditional mental health care methods?

Today, it is pretty common to feel anxious, scared, or helpless during specific periods. However, it is vital to remember that whatever your situation is, it is crucial to managing your mental well-being. There are many traditional ways to take care of the mind, which have been followed for quite some time around the world. While specific therapeutic processes help overcome stress, a few convenient and everyday solutions can be highly effective. Here, we list a few ways to alter and elevate a person’s mental well-being radically. 

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Regularly Exercising

Regularly exercising can have a tremendous impact on the psychological state of any person. It leads to several significant benefits, both physical and mental. We are generally aware of the many physical benefits of exercise, such as weight management, lower blood pressure, lower diabetes risk, increased energy, and more. But there are several psychological benefits of exercise as well. From relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety to preserving memory, regular exercise has no shortage of mental benefits. Here are some psychological benefits of physical activity below.

Helps with depression and anxiety: Exercise is a mood enhancer scientifically proven to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Physical activity increases endorphin levels. Endorphins are the human body’s “feel-good chemicals” produced by the brain and spinal cord that induce feelings of well-being and euphoria. Even moderate exercise each week can significantly improve depression and anxiety, so some doctors recommend trying an exercise program for these conditions before starting medication. 

Lowers stress: Another mental benefit of exercise is lower stress levels. Raising your heart rate stimulates the production of neurohormones such as norepinephrine, which may reverse stress-related brain damage. This improves cognition and mood levels and helps maintain focus through stressful events. Exercise also forces the body’s central and sympathetic nervous systems to communicate, helping reduce stress. 

Improves endurance and sleeping patterns: Improves the body’s overall ability to endure. From weight loss to increased muscle tone, exercise helps elevate the body’s endurance. Exercise can also help improve sleeping patterns. Physical activity raises body temperature and has a calming effect. Exercise also regulates our body’s built-in alarm clock, the circadian rhythm. It also helps to improve sleep, a psychological benefit of exercise.

Boosts mental capabilities: Exercise improves brain performance in many ways, from building intelligence to enhancing memory. Studies in mice and humans have shown that aerobic exercise makes new brain cells, a neurogenesis process that improves overall brain performance. It also prevents cognitive decline and memory loss by strengthening the hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in memory and learning. Several studies have shown that physical activity improves creativity and mental energy. So, if you need inspiration, just take a walk or jog.

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Talking to someone

This is one of the most straightforward ways to care for the mind. Whether it be a friend, colleague, or partner, talking to someone always helps. Sharing your struggles helps decrease the emotional burden and lower the accumulated stress. Just visiting a trusted friend and venting about a bad day or week can significantly alter the mood. Speaking about any stressful experience can go a long way in processing emotions and elevating mood levels. Sometimes, fighting with someone can harm your mental health. 

Fights often happen in every relationship. However, keeping your feelings to yourself can exacerbate problems between you and your partner or friend. It is always good to work on constructive solutions to relationship problems. But being able to be open with your partner can also make communication healthier. The amygdala runs the show when experiencing intense emotions, especially fear, aggression, or fear. 

Amygdala is the part of the brain that, among other things, processes the fight-or-flight response. The work of the amygdala and the entire limbic system is to determine whether something poses a threat, develop a response to the danger if one exists, and store information in memory to recognize future threats. When stressed or overwhelmed, this part of your brain can override your more logical thought processes. A U.C.L.A. study suggests that expressing one’s feelings, a process called “affect labeling,” may reduce the amygdala’s response when encountering something that bothers them. Over time, you’ll feel less stressed about the things you care about. 

For example, if you are in a road accident, it can be emotionally devastating. But if you talk about your experience, put your feelings into words, and process what happened, you can return to your everyday life. It is also vital to speak to the right person. If you talked about your feelings, but the situation did not improve, you may be talking to the wrong person. It helps if you have a trusted friend to support you. If you want specific advice on a problem, find someone who has faced similar issues and overcame them. Also, try to consult with or talk to multiple people. A person can be exhausted, and a wide range of social support systems can help prevent over-dependence on any single individual.

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Take a break

Sometimes taking a break has negative connotations. However, it is immensely beneficial. Whenever you feel overwhelmed in your workplace or home, it can be wise to just rest for a few minutes, sharpening your focus and providing renewed energy. One great technique is to take deep breaths and at least a couple of minutes of rest every once in a while. It helps reconnect us with our present state. 

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Summation

Mental health is one of the most crucial aspects of health and well-being. It is also vital in maintaining physical well-being. Mental health is an umbrella term that includes emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Only when each of them is in sync can an individual prosper and lead a fulfilling life. While some medicinal treatments and therapists can help improve the mental state, some traditional methods can also provide several benefits. So, if you are feeling depressed, stressed, or just sad, exercising, talking to someone, and taking a break can be immensely helpful.

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