7 Benefits of Mental Health (Why it matters)
By
OptimistMinds
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Author bio
The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
In this article, we will look at the benefits of good mental health and why your mental health matters. This article also explores a few life changing strategies to boost your mental health.
7 Benefits of Mental Health
Here are a few benefits of good mental health:
- Reduced Anxiety
- Mood Improvement
- Clearer Thinking Abilities
- Heightened Sense Of Calmness
- Improved Self-esteem
- Reduced Risk Of Depression
- Improved Relationships
Reduced Anxiety
With good mental health you can combat anxiety.
Mood Improvement
Another benefit of good mental health is mood improvement.
Clearer Thinking Abilities
Good mental health comes with clearer thinking abilities.
Heightened Sense Of Calmness
Good mental health comes with a heightened sense of calmness and inner peace.
Improved Self-esteem
Improved self-esteem is a benefit of good mental health.
Reduced Risk Of Depression
Good mental health reduces your risk of depression
Improved Relationships
With good mental health you will experience an improvement in your relationships.
Benefits Of Mental Health Through Physical Fitness
In an ever-changing world, developing effective coping skills has never been more important. Rather than merely soldiering on, an emphasis on thriving in the face of hardship can lead to mental health advantages. The introduction of increased levels of physical fitness has been linked to enhanced mental health.
Here are some benefits of mental health which can be obtained by physical fitness:
- A stronger memory
- Clarity of thought
- Self-esteem is improved
- Improved sleep
- Increased vitality
- Greater resiliency
- Improved neurotransmission due to a rise in BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)
Characteristics of Mentally Healthy Individuals
People that are mentally healthy have the following characteristics:
- A feeling of contentment.
- A zeal for life as well as the capacity to laugh and have a good time.
- The ability to cope with stress and recover from setbacks.
- In both their work and their relationships, they have a feeling of direction and purpose.
- The ability to adapt to change and acquire new skills.
- A healthy balance of work and play, relaxation and activity, and so forth.
- The capacity to form and sustain satisfying relationships.
- Self-assurance and a high sense of self-worth.
Benefits of Mental Health By Seeking Counselling/ Therapy
Here are the benefits of mental health that you can reap by seeking counselling or therapy:
- Self-acceptance and increased self-esteem
- Better relationship with self and others
- Decreased stress through simplifying life
- Harmony and tranquilly
- Greater self-awareness
- Decrease in loneliness
- Relationship enhancement
- Better communication
- Getting rid of procrastination
- Increasing job or life fulfillment
- Increased autonomy
- Better decision-making
- Changes in mindset
- Improved self-esteem
- Better time management
Ways To Improve Your Mental Health
Anybody can suffer from psychological or emotional health issues, and most of us will do so at some point in our lives. One out of every five of us will be diagnosed with a mental health condition this year (especially keeping in mind the COVID-19 pandemic situation). Despite the prevalence of mental health issues, many of us make little initiative to change our circumstances.
We dismiss emotional signals that something is not right and try to battle it out by diverting ourselves or self-medicating with drugs, or self-destructive habits. We bury our troubles in the hopes that no one will notice. We are hopeful that our condition will change on its own over time. Alternatively, we may give up altogether, convincing ourselves that this is “just how we are.”
The great news is that you don’t have to feel sorry for yourself. There are strategies you may use to improve your mood, increase your resilience, and increase your overall happiness. But, just as physical health necessitates effort, mental health needs effort as well. We have to work harder today to maintain good mental health, just because life wreaks havoc on our emotional well-being in far too many ways.
Prioritise Social Connection
Regardless of how much time you commit to enhancing your mental and emotional health, you will still require the company of people to feel and operate at your best.
Humans are social animals with emotional requirements for relationships and meaningful connection. We weren’t designed to live in isolation. Even when our social brains have made us cautious and sceptical of others, we desire company.
Phones and social media have their benefits, but nothing beats the stress-relieving and mood-boosting impact of meaningful face-to-face interaction with others.
Interacting somebody who is a “good listener” is vital. A good listener will not interrupt, condemn, or critique you, but will listen to the emotions within your words.
Tips For Better Social Connection
- Now is the time to call a friend or loved one and make plans to meet .
- If you don’t know who to call, reach out to friends and acquaintances.
- You can also reconnect with an old friend and meet for coffee or lunch
- Step out from behind your television or computer. You must have physical interaction with people in order to communicate, so don’t abandon your real-world relationships in favour of the virtual world.
- Join a networking, social, or special interest club. These groups provide fantastic opportunities to meet people who share similar interests.
- Don’t be shy about smiling and saying hi to strangers you come across. Making a relationship will benefit you both, and you never know where it will go!
Find Meaning In Your Life
People find meaning and purpose in life in diverse ways that help others as well as themselves. It could be a means to feel valued, to feel better about yourself, to have a purpose that motivates you, or simply to have a reason to get out of bed every morning.
Biologically speaking, finding meaning and purpose is important for brain health because it can help the brain build new cells and neural pathways.
It can also help you enhance your mental and emotional health by strengthening your immune system, alleviating pain, reducing stress, and keeping you motivated. It’s critical to find meaning and purpose in life in whatever way you can, and to do it every day.
A Few Ways To Find Meaning
- Work that you enjoy and that has importance for you and others. Whether or not you are paid, engage in tasks that stimulate your creativity and leave you feeling productive. Gardening, sketching, writing, and making something in your studio are some good options.
- Relationships are important. Spending some quality time with people that matter to you, whether they’re buddies, grandchildren, or older relatives, can benefit your health as well as theirs, while also giving you a feeling of fulfillment.
- Taking care of a pet. Looking after a pet is a duty, but it also makes you feel needed and appreciated. There is no affection quite like the love and devotion that a pet can provide. Animals can also help you get some activity and introduce you to different people and places by getting you out of your home.
- Volunteering is a great idea. We’re biologically coded to contribute to others, just as we’re hardwired to be social. The significance and fulfilment that comes from assisting others or the society can improve and enhance your life, making you happier. The number of volunteer possibilities available to you is limitless. Volunteering is essential to the survival of schools, hospitals, NGOs, and humanitarian groups of all kinds.
- Caretaking. Taking care of an elderly parent, or a kid with a physical or mental condition is an act of compassion, love, and commitment and may be as gratifying and fulfilling as it is difficult.
Take Care Of Your Sleep Schedule
If you have a hectic schedule, skipping sleep may seem like a good idea. However, getting adequate sleep is a need, not a privilege, when it comes to your mental health.
Even a few hours of sleep deprivation can affect your mood, vitality, mental alertness, and ability to cope with stress. Chronic sleep deprivation can have a negative impact on your health and mood in the long run.
While adults should strive for seven to eight hours of decent sleep each night, expecting sleep to happen the instant you lay down and shut your eyes is often unreasonable. At the end of each day, your brain requires time to relax.
BetterHelp: A Better Alternative
Those who are seeking therapy online may also be interested in BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers plenty of formats of therapy, ranging from live chats, live audio sessions and live video sessions. In addition, unlimited messaging through texting, audio messages and even video messages are available here.
BetterHelp also offers couples therapy and therapy for teenagers in its platform. Furthermore, group sessions can also be found in this platform, covering more than twenty different topics related to mental health and mental illness. The pricing of BetterHelp is also pretty cost-effective, especially considering the fact that the platform offers financial aid to most users.
Conclusion
In this article, we looked at the benefits of good mental health and why your mental health matters. This article also explored a few life changing strategies to improve your mental health.
Frequently Asked Questions: 7 Benefits of Mental Health
Why is mental health important?
Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all part of our mental health. It has an impact on the way we think, feel, and act. It also influences how we deal with stress, interact with people, and make good decisions. Mental health is vital at all stages of life, including childhood, puberty, and adulthood.
What is Mental Health Awareness Month?
Mental Health Awareness Month
During the month of May, NAMI joins a national initiative to improve mental health awareness. They battle stigma, offer assistance, inform the public, and campaign for policies that help people with mental illnesses and their families every year.
Why is mental health important for students
Student mental health services, on the other hand, are not only necessary for students’ psychological well-being, but also for academic performance and retention. According to the American College Health Association survey, there is considerable evidence that mental health needs are linked to academic achievement scores.
What is called mental health?
Your emotional and psychological well-being is referred to as mental health. You can live a relatively happy and healthy life if you have good mental health. It aids in the demonstration of resiliency and the capacity to cope in the face of adversity.
References
The Benefits of Mental Health According to Science
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