Health problems have existed since our birth as a species. So, even since, humanity has searched for solutions to improve our timespan and overall health and well-being. However, when it comes to mental health problems, things are not quite the same.
Mental health issues are often misunderstood, and the stigma attached to seeking help is still very strong. Mental health services are also underfunded, making it difficult to get the help one needs. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness about the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, which can lead to them going unnoticed and untreated.
However, in more recent years things started changing our well-being and mental health has become the center of attention. Finally!
But what is mental health?
To begin with, mental health incorporates various facets of our emotional, psychological, well-being, and social wellness. It affects our ability to cope with stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, as it serves as the repository of our thoughts and feelings. So, it is essential to prioritize maintaining good mental health for our holistic well-being, and it is our responsibility to make efforts towards achieving this goal.
In modern times, work and other obligations can easily consume the majority of our day, leading to feelings of stress and being overburdened. This has become a common occurrence that often leads to mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
However, one major change that has occurred over the years is the shift in society's attitudes towards mental health and well-being. People are becoming more accepting of mental health problems and more supportive of people with issues. They are more aware of common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety and are more willing to talk to health professionals and seek treatment.
Finding time for self-care during a hectic schedule can be quite challenging though. Our minds often wander to our next move while we are still occupied with another task. Suppose we are cooking and doing the dishes at the same time, or perhaps running errands and setting up appointments simultaneously. This has become a typical experience for many of us. According to Matt Killingsworth’s “Track Your Happiness” project, our minds wander 47% of the time - so it’s a common occurrence to be preoccupied with something else while engaging in a task. But that doesn’t mean you can’t lower that number!
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So, we need to pause and understand what self-care means.
Self-care is the process of looking after ourselves. It includes coping mechanisms and it not only our health but our inner health too. Self-care includes making healthy lifestyle choices, monitoring ourselves, our well-being, and creating healthy habits. Self-care also stands for getting rid of unhealthy life choices and habits.
It’s like cleaning a house! You need to identify what needs to be removed, what needs to be kept, and what you have to add in order to make it livable and inviting. Self-care is the same - you need to recognize what is toxic and what is helpful in your life - and then find the right balance to reach a healthy mindset.
It’s important to understand that stress affects everybody differently.
Stress can be caused by major problems but, also by smaller problems. For some people having a fight with their family or maybe doing something wrong at work can cause stress. Either way, it needs to be managed. A stress-coping strategy is essential for effectively managing the emotional and physical responses that stress brings.
Even though its consequences can’t be seen and aren’t immediate, sooner or later they will appear. Some of us might get a headache, feel back pain, stomach pain, or maybe sore muscles. Unfortunately, there are worse scenarios than those out there. Persistent stress can cause chronic conditions that will, later on, affect our overall health. Severe stress can also trigger mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It is estimated that as much as 90 percent of all human illnesses and diseases are stress-related.
However, self-care techniques have the purpose of fighting against stress and helping us cope with it.
Some useful self-care mechanisms are meditation and mindfulness. Mindfulness stands for being fully present, understanding what your body needs, and syncing in your inner self with your body. Mindfulness is a simple practice that can enable any of us to find and help us sustain a greater well-being.
Mindfulness helps us see and understand the story caught up in our minds. I am sure all of you at least at some point during the week get caught up imagining a fictive scenario, or thinking about things that aren’t really happening, from the past or even in the future. So, when practicing mindfulness we try and anchor ourselves in the preset. Basically, if you want to be as healthy, don’t forget to take your daily dose of mindfulness, or you might find yourself stuck in an imaginary world! Do not get me wrong, daydreaming is totally fine - but it shouldn’t define your whole day.
Mindfulness can also be accompanied by meditation. Both of them help us focus and become grounded. Exercising breathing techniques can encourage us to cope with stress and, the best part - we can practice mindfulness and meditation any time of the day, and anywhere. Currently, there are an estimated 200-500 million people practicing meditation worldwide, with the highest number in India, the United States, and China. Why not be a part of the movement? It doesn’t require much time and making a habit out of it can lead to greater success.
Another self-care technique is journaling. When we are not ready to talk about our feelings or if we are not ready to talk to anybody about a stressful situation, this can help us discover what we are going through and understand better what we are feeling. Journaling can also help us reflect on our progress and discover patterns of behavior that could be holding us back from achieving our goals. Writing can be an effective way to express emotions, and it can be a crucial step in the process of personal growth.
And, if we are ready, we can start going to therapy. It can be a great way to gain insight and perspective on our lives and to identify the underlying issues that are preventing us from reaching our best selves. It’s also a safe space to express our emotions and process complicated feelings. By understanding ourselves and our emotions, we can become more aware of our behavior patterns and how they are impacting our lives. (in a negative way, of course)
Taking care of ourselves involves activities that promote our general wellness, and managing stress plays a vital role in determining our emotions and behaviors. Prioritizing our needs and addressing our challenges enables us to assist others and navigate daily tasks successfully. By striving for better mental health, we enhance our capacity to handle stressful situations and develop effective coping mechanisms that align with our values and goals. Ultimately, we are empowered to take charge of our mental well-being and shape our responses to stress and other issues affecting our mental health.
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