What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your health? It is probably our health and wellbeing for many, if not most, of us. Are we eating well? Are we getting enough exercise? Are we exhausted, or are we ill? Do our joints hurt? Have we scheduled our annual physical yet?

All of these questions are important to answer, but there is one more question we should be asking i.e. how is our mental health I actual?

Our mental health

Our mental health has a significant influence on our general health and well-being. Our feelings, emotional responses to people around us, perception about life in general, and mood changes all contribute to our mental health. It has an impact on our decisions, actions, and the way we interact with others. A good mental state can assist us deal with stress, succeed professionally, quickly recover from difficult situations, make a significant contribution to our community, and be our best selves.

Importance of mental health

It is critical to recognize that sustaining a positive mental state can be difficult at times. Mental illnesses are quite prevalent. According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, one in every five adults in the United States suffers from mental illness, and one out of every twenty deteriorates from severe mental illness. Therefore, if you are struggling to keep your mental health in check, you are not alone. It is critical to understand that it is acceptable to speak up and seek help if you are experiencing a mental health problem. The advantages of seeking medical assistance and care can improve your overall wellbeing.

Here are some general tips to improve your mental health:

• Physical activity: regular exercise can significantly boost your mood and energy levels
• A healthy diet: you need a balanced nutritional diet to provide your body with essential elements to function properly.
• Innovating your lifestyle: engage in creative and innovative activities to give you mind a break from the usual stress.

• Becoming socially active: take out time to spend with your loved ones such as your friends or relatives to keep your mind fresh
• Balancing work-life: Maintain a balance between work and personal life. Over working can cause unnecessary stressors that affect your personal life.

Of course, as explained previously, the most essential factor is to consult with a health professional when you are having problems maintaining positive mental health. A mental health professional can provide you with advice and treatment that is tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.

Mental health is often preventable. We over work our brains by trying to indulge in too many things at once. Often the most effective therapy is to simply take a break from our routine to relax and detach from the worldly engagements. By balancing our lifestyle, we can eliminate the most common factors of stress that affects our mental health and can conveniently avoid needing a doctor, or needing prescription medications that carry several risks and side effects.