For the last few years, there have been a lot of discussions about mental health and well-being. People have started discussing mental health issues; a topic that was once a hushed affair that has suddenly gained momentum. But is this topic well understood or is it still misjudged, let's learn in this blog. Also, we will know what mental health and wellness mean, why it matters, and how to take care of it in our daily lives.
Mental health means our intellectual, emotional, and social well-being. How feelings, thoughts, and acts are affected by our mental health. The other determiners are how we handle a difficult situation and how we make choices out of the options given.
Emotional Health: This includes how we manage our emotions. Happiness, joy, and love are a few positive emotions that we experience and there are negative emotions like fear, anger, and sorrow that have to be coped with.
Psychological Health: This indicates how we deal with our feelings. The other factors that come under this are self-respect, acceptance among people, and the ability to understand the meaning and the purpose of our lives.
Social Well-Being: Better relations, good communication, and a sense of group are key elements.
Aspects such as physical, emotional, mental, and societal fitness come within the meaning of wellness.
Physical wellness comes from maintaining a healthy body, having nutritious food, getting proper sleep, and having medical check-ups. Emotional wellness includes the proper expression of emotions.
When we engage in creative and thought-provoking activities, we expand our knowledge and that nurtures our intellectual wellness. With meditation, religious activities, and practices that enlighten our spiritual senses we nurture our spiritual wellness.
To achieve social wellness, foster healthy relationships among family and friends.
Mental health and wellness are profoundly interconnected and impact other aspects of well-being including physical and social well-being.
As per ayurveda, mental health and wellness go hand in hand. Sound mental health is seen as a perfect balance of vata, pitta, and kapha doshas. Negative feelings, tension, and unhealthy habits disrupt the balance of these doshas. Mental wellness is achieved by bringing a balance among these doshas with proper diet, exercise, meditation, and herbal remedies.
According to the World Health Organization, one in every seven adolescents suffers from a mental disorder.
Genetics: Studies show that genetics plays a vital role in one's mental health. If mental health issues run in the family, there are chances that this condition may continue in the next generations.
Trauma: Childhood trauma deeply impacts mental health. Similarly, upbringing plays a vital role in positive or negative mental health.
Brain Chemistry: Chemical messengers, such as serotonin, dopamine, etc., impact different bodily functions like mood, sleep, appetite, and cognition.
Physical Health: Prolonged illnesses, changes in hormone levels, and physical injuries can have an effect on mental health.
Stress: Stress impacts almost all aspects of life including mental well-being.
Coping Skills: The capacity to handle stressful situations affects mental health.
Relationships: Supportive relationships help in reducing stress and have a positive impact on mental health, while loneliness has a terrible effect.
Work Environment: While a supportive environment contributes to mental health, a toxic workplace can cause anxiety and stress.
Socioeconomic Status: Financial stress, poverty, and joblessness may impair mental health, whereas financial strength improves it.
Physical activity: Even simple movements make a big difference. As per ayurveda, regular exercise or participating in any physical activity boosts energy flow, brightens up the mood (pitta), and reduces stress (vata).
Diet: A balanced diet helps in maintaining body-mind soundness. Ayurvedic herbs help in balancing doshas and promote mental fitness and clarity.
Sleep: Deprivation of sleep can cause other medical conditions, which in turn leads to poor mental health. Getting a sound sleep assures that you are taking a step toward good mental health.
Meditation: It helps in reducing stress and managing stressful situations calmly. Meditation assists in being in the present and nurturing a positive attitude towards life.
Social relationships: Intense relations provide emotional and psychological support and ward off feelings of aloofness. Making time for family and friends fosters a meaningful relationship.
Medical help: If you are already in the trap of mental health issues, asking for medical help will always be beneficial. Therapies and counseling assist you in managing your mental health effectively.
Relaxation tools: Yoga, muscle relaxation techniques, deep breathing relax your body and mind.
Manas Raj - Mental wellness tablets and roll-on
Discussing mental health is still a stigma in most of the societies. Learning about this condition is the first step toward mental well-being. Once the whole concept of mental health is understood it become easier to find ways to improve mental wellness and overall quality of life. Mental health isn't something that should be ignored, it is as important as one's physical health. Taking proactive steps to foster mental health leads to a healthier and happier life.
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