Is mental health really important?

On 10 October 2021 it was World Mental Health Day and a question that many have is whether mental health is really all that important. Is it not just a good excuse for poor performance and relationships?

Let’s explore!

A good starting point might be to understand what Mental Health is. The World Health Organisation defines it as A state of well-being in which the individual realises his/her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his/her community. Simply put: It affects how we think, feel and act and includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. Mental Health does not discriminate in terms of race, gender or age.

Signs of poor mental health includes poor concentration, being easily distracted, worrying more, increased anxiety, finding it hard to make decisions, feeling less interested in day-to-day activities, low mood, feeling overwhelmed by things, social withdrawal, tearfulness and dramatic changes to eating and sleeping habits.

All of us experience these symptoms from time to time however, when these impact for a prolonged period on your ability to function normally, it is a good sign that you need to make some work of it.

In order to maintain good Mental Health, there are a couple of simple steps we can take on a daily basis:

1. Get enough sleep

Whenever we are under pressure, the first thing we give up on is sleep. That is the wrong answer! Sleep can boost your immune system, strengthen your heart, improve your mood, increase productivity and improves your memory. A healthy sleep routine is a simply answer to not only a health mind, but also a healthy life.

2. Eat well

Our brain needs energy and energy comes from the right nutrition. Healthful eating has many health benefits and can also boost your mood and provide you with more energy.

3. Get some sunlight

Sunlight is essential for human health and well-being. The health benefits of sunlight include generating the production of vitamin D, lowering blood pressure, preventing disease, promoting good mental health and improving sleep patterns.

4. Start moving

Apart from all the physical health benefits associated with exercising, it also improves your memory and brain function, improve your quality of sleep, and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. There is no need to hang out for hours at the gym, simply exercises like star-jumps, running stairs, etc. would also do the trick.

5. Laugh a little

When you start to laugh, it does not only lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can stimulate many organs, it enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. It makes you feel better!

When you practise these five simple steps on a daily basis, you not only combat the impact of daily stresses, but you improve your Mental Health. It is never to late to start, so get to action!

Mental Health is not a destination, but a process. It is about how you drive, not where you’re going. Noam Shpancer.