Significance of Mental Health for Your Overall Wellness

Mental health is something that is often taken for granted, mental health is essential for us to achieve total wellness. Having good mental health and wellness can enable us to handle life’s stressors, build solid relationships, and lead fulfilling lives.

 

People often associate mental health/wellness with absence of mental illness, but it is more than that, it is the ability of each and all of us to feel, think, and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. How each of us defines our mental health/wellness can be subjective. Good mental health is not only about avoiding problems or having the perfect life, but living well and feeling capable despite the challenges thrown by life.

 

Talking about overall wellness, mental and physical health are very much interconnected. For example, poor mental health can cause physical aches and pains and a feeling of usual unwellness. Again, poor physical health can negatively impact our mental health. It is difficult to talk about one without considering the other. Taking good care of our physical health by regularly exercising, eating well, and seeking support and advice when needed- is an important first step towards improving our mental well-being as our mental and emotional well-being improves when we pay attention to our physical health.

 

Things you can do for your mental health and wellness in New York City:

 

1. The first thing is to value your own self. Treat yourself with kindness and respect that you deserve, avoid being too critical off yourself. Expand your horizons, or make time for your hobbies and favourite things.

 

2. Surround yourself with good people (supportive family members and friends) as individuals with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support network.

 

3. You can improve your mental health by taking care of yourself physically, which can be done by eating nutritious meals, drinking plenty of water, regularly exercising, getting enough sleep, quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol and other drugs.

 

4. You need to learn how to deal with stress, which is possible by practicing good coping skills, such as doing Tai Chi, exercising, taking a nature walk, playing with your pet or trying journal writing as a stress reducer. Try relaxation exercises like meditation or prayer, which can improve your state of mind and outlook on life.

 

5. Aiming high is good, but be realistic at the same time, decide what you want to achieve professionally and personally, and write down the steps you need to realize your goals and accordingly progress toward your goal.

 

6. Whenever you feel like that you need help, just go for it. It isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. Moreover, getting appropriate care can help you recover from mental illness and addiction and lead full, rewarding lives.