In today’s society, there’s a lot that can clutter our minds. Coping with everyday stressors can sometimes be overwhelming and affect your mental health. But as you probably already know, taking care of your mental health is key.
Recently we have seen a surge in mental health talk mostly because COVID-19 has mentally put many individuals in a tough space. In order to get back to a good space mentally, we all must find ways to cope with our everyday stressors. In addition, we must focus on doing things that will allow us to be productive and happy all around. Getting to a place of good mental health is simply self-care. Good mental health = Self-care.
What is Considered
Good
Mental Health
The definition of good mental health is the absence of a mental illness, but we all know that it can go beyond that. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), individuals with good mental health do the following:
- Work Productively
- Cope with normal everyday stressors
- Contribute to society
- Realize their potential
But when you have good mental health, it’s beyond being productive and being able to contribute to society. Your emotions have a huge impact. You want to have feelings of happiness, love, joy, and compassion, but just in general, feel satisfied with life at the moment.
To get to a place where one feels that their mental health is good, taking proper care of the body and mind is essential. At MyCHN, we like to talk about whole-person care, which means that we provide services that ensure that the person is being taken care of as a whole. Your body and your mind are connected, so there are things you can do that you enjoy that will positively impact your mental health.
With that being said, it is also important to realize that you are human. Your emotions will fluctuate, and that is natural. This means that good mental health also alludes to the fact that you might have not-so-good days, but it’s all about what you do to get out of those not-so-good days.
What Can I Do To Work On My Mental Health?
For those not-so-good days or even just in general, what are some things you can do to work on your mental health? There are things you can do to give yourself a boost. So, we’re going to provide you with a nice list that you can come back and reference when you need to. And if you have special things that you do to help you, share them with us and other readers in the comments.
- Talk it out: The use of therapy has increased since 2020. This is because talking about how you feel and what you’re going through really does help. You don’t always need to hear the opinions of family and friends, and you may feel as if they will judge you for what you want to say. By taking the time to find and see a licensed therapist, you have the opportunity to speak without being judged and truly feel like you’re being listened to and not just heard. Furthermore, you may have someone you trust that you’re willing to open up to, so take the step to speak to them about how you feel, and maybe they’ll do the same.
- Exercise/ Stay Active: Many people underestimate the power of exercise. Exercising doesn’t just have to be about losing weight. In fact, it is a proven fact that exercise helps to clear the mind. But if you’re not an exercise fan, that’s fine. It can be as simple as taking a walk, cleaning your home, or anything that allows you to be active.
- Write in a journal: Sometimes, it helps to write down how you are feeling. Really putting things down to paper can help with thinking tasks through and making things feel clearer. You can start a daily mental health journal and check in with yourself every day. Once you get into the habit of doing this daily, you’ll notice how helpful it is for you and continue it.
- Take Breaks: We are always busy, and sometimes our everyday tasks can give us anxiety or make us feel overwhelmed, and that affects our mental health. So, take a break. Sometimes we need a pause from our tasks to recuperate, and this gives a little “me time” in the middle of the day. Or you can schedule a longer break if you know that is really what you need and take some much-needed time to yourself, reflect, write in your journal, and do things you love.
- Participate in Activities You Actually Enjoy: Speaking of doing things you love, this is another way you can improve your mental health. Take the time to do more of the activities that you actually enjoyed. This is a great way to put yourself in a good mood, and you can do these activities with the people you love.
In honor of World Mental Health Day, we are encouraging everyone to take the time to work on their mental health. It is important that you take care of yourself, body and mind. If you want to speak to a licensed therapist, you can schedule an appointment with one at your closest Community Health Network location. In addition, we have some support groups that you might be interested in, and you can check out our mental health resources page for more resources. Visit our website or call 281-824-1480 for more information.
Resources
Health Direct: Good Mental Health
Health Shots: 8 Tell-tale Signs That Your Mental Health is in Good Shape According to a Psychologist
