“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, YOU ARE NOT THE RAIN.” — Matt Haig.
In this century, not many people are paying attention to their mental health. In fact most people don’t know their mental status. Some even go to the extent of saying that mental illness means someone is mad.
In ancient times, mental health conditions were viewed as a sign of demonic possession. However, as man evolved and became more enlightened about life, certain conditions started to come to light.
So What is MENTAL HEALTH?
Mental health deals with the emotional, physiological and social wellbeing of our daily lives.
Many people go around thinking that since they are not suffering from any medical conditions, they are indeed healthy. But this is not so because according to WHO,
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease.
This shows that one can be free from infirmities and still be unhealthy.
How Does MENTAL HEALTH Come Into Play in Our Journey Through Life?
Mental health is such an important part of our everyday life which needs to be taken as seriously as any other diagnosed disease.
Several conditions can affect our mental health and they include:
▪️Stress
This is the most essential causative factor of mental health illness. It can trigger mental disorders like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. It can make one become withdrawn and even affect our sleeping pattern.
▪️Diet
Inadequate nutrition can affect our mental health. A well-balanced diet builds our immune system and makes it difficult for pathogens to invade our immune system. This is why it is advisable to always have breakfast. The first meal of the day boosts our immune system, thereby reducing the risk of stress.
Other causes include childhood trauma, family expectations, and so on.
How Can We Become Mentally Healthy?
Having a good mental status is very easy to assume. These 5 steps are going to bring about optimum performance in our daily lives.
BE POSITIVE
Always find the positive in every situation. Learn to always be happy irrespective of the situations that life throws at you. Remember, positivity is a key to fulfilment. Studies have shown that thinking positively about a bad situation may actually make scaling through that situation easy.
Always write what you are grateful for in a book and don’t ever take the small consistent wins for granted.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO TAKE A BREAK
When a situation arises that is too stressful and seems a threat to our mental health, don’t feel guilty to step back and relieve the stress. Burn out is one of the major causes of mental problems in the workforce.
GOOD NUTRITION AND EXERCISE
Having good nutrition is optimal for health. And exercise is an essential tool for not only building physical fitness but also sharpening our brain. For example, taking a walk through the park first thing in the morning is a vital mind booster.
BUILD GOOD RELATIONSHIPS
Having a support group to fall back on during dreary days is necessary for optimal mental health. This gives one a sense of belonging and a family to share your pains and wins with.
PRAYER
This is mentioned last but it should be at the forefront of our minds every day. The word of God tells us in Philippians 4:6-7:
“Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”
7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
So, dear young professional, don’t be afraid to occasionally check on your mental health
And on days when it feels so bad that you can’t control the strange thoughts that grip your soul, talk to God, a friend and also a psychiatrist.
Remember, your mental health situation doesn’t define you because you are a warrior.
Stay Strong in the Lord.
