In today’s society, mental health is one of the most underestimated things. Sadly, talking about it is considered taboo and there is definitely some kind of fear associated with it. Perhaps, people are afraid of being called ‘crazy’ or labelled as a ‘mentally ill’ person. However, is the fear or hesitation really worth it? A big no.
In fact, by not discussing such a critical issue, people often hold themselves back from resolving it. Many fail to realise that mental health is as important as physical health and it also requires your complete attention. How we react to the things happening around us, what type of environment we live in, things we tolerate, and things we avoid, all of these factors play a major role in shaping our perception of ourselves and our lives.
Unfortunately, despite the rise of technology, medical science and social science, there is still a slight gap between mental health and all that is happening in the external world. Without a doubt, this needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
Here are some crucial reasons why we all should always pay undivided attention to mental health.
It improves your quality of life
No matter how much care we take, there will be some moments in life when we will experience stress. As a 100% stress-free life is practically impossible, we should learn effective ways to cope up with stress. If we fail, even normal stress can lead to chronic stress and it can make your life difficult. What’s worse, it can cause several other health issues such as migraines, muscle tension, fatigue, and even heart attacks.
Proper stress management and healthy mental health can help you to tackle life’s ups and downs effectively. Whether it is about making good decisions in life or exploring our limits, good mental health can take us a long way.
It enhances stability and develops a powerful work ethic
According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2012, depression causes the loss of more than 200 million working days every year. Moreover, half of the top 10 causes of disability are strongly linked with mental health. In short, unaddressed mental health issues can cause financial issues in your life.
Good mental health improves your performance, productivity and helps you maintain consistency at work. Understanding this fact, many employers today have started implementing mental health initiatives in their organizations. If your employer has not started this yet, ask them to do so.
It improves your physical health
We all have heard a line that says “sound mind, sound body”. When we exercise, our brain releases endorphins – the chemical that makes us happy. Basically, our physical and mental health are correlated. The freshness you experience after an hour of workout is just like the feeling of rejuvenation after a peaceful sleep. When you take good care of your body and brain, it helps you to ease stress and prevent bigger problems like depression. By releasing mood-boosting endorphins, good mental health enhances your self-confidence and fills positivity in your life.
It helps you build healthy relationships
Out of all the relationships in your life, the one you have with yourself is the most important. It not only decides how you treat yourself but also impacts what type of people and things you attract. There are some instances in our lives when some people disappoint us. It is up to us how we take it and move on. Good mental health helps us accept such things in the best way, learn from them, and move on.
Discipline is not just about how punctual you are with your work or how seriously you follow your diet. It applies to your mental health as well. Therefore, you should learn to stay away from negative people, set the boundaries, deal positively with self-criticism, and avoid overthinking.
Final thoughts
Nurturing your mind is important. It not only blesses you with a long life but also with a peaceful life. Just like physical conditions, mental health conditions can also be treated. If you are suffering from mental health issues because of your substance abuse problems or other reasons, and are already exploring the internet for ‘drug and alcohol rehab near me’, that’s great! Certain therapies, meditation, exercises, and more can help you get rid of your struggle with mental health problems. Never let mental health issues affect your life. Seek help and live a happy life.
Tommy Williamson did his degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. He has an ongoing interest in mental health and well-being.
