Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Many factors can contribute to mental health problems. For some, these may include:
- Biological factors: Genes or brain chemistry and even family history
- Life experiences: Such as trauma or abuse
There are things we can all do to help others suffering from mental health issues:
- Help
- Everyone by
- Actively
- Listening and
- Talking through
- Health problems and issues
Feeling down or depressed from time to time is normal. But if these feelings last two weeks or more or start affecting everyday life, this can signify depression.
Depression can develop slowly. Someone who is depressed may not realise or acknowledge that they’re not feeling or behaving as they usually do. Often, a partner, family member or carer first realises that help is needed. If you suspect yourself or someone else may be depressed, you may need to encourage them to see their GP or find other sources of support.
Depression has lots of possible symptoms. You may notice:
- They have lost interest in doing things they usually enjoy
- They seem to be feeling down or hopeless
- They have slower speech and movements or are more fidgety and restless than usual
- They feel tired or don’t have much energy
- They are overeating or have lost their appetite
- They are sleeping more than usual or aren’t able to sleep
- They have trouble concentrating on everyday things, such as watching the television or reading the paper
Below are ten practical ways to look after your mental health. Making simple changes to your life doesn’t need to cost a fortune or take up loads of time. Anyone can follow this advice. Why not start today?
Talk about your feelings: Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled.
Keep active: Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep, look, and feel better. Exercise keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy and is also a significant benefit towards improving your mental health.
Keep in touch: There’s nothing better than catching up with someone face to face, but that’s not always possible. You can also call them, drop them a note, or chat with them online. Keep the lines of communication open: it’s good for you!
Take a break: Give yourself some ‘me time’ A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work, or a weekend exploring somewhere new. A few minutes can be enough to distress you.
Accept who you are: We’re all different. It’s much healthier to accept that you’re unique than to wish you were more like someone else. Feeling good about yourself boosts your confidence to learn new skills, visit new places and make new friends. Good self-esteem helps you cope when life takes a difficult turn.
Eat well: Your brain needs a mix of nutrients to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body. A diet that’s good for your physical health is also good for your mental health.
Drink sensibly: We often drink alcohol to change our mood. Some people drink to deal with fear or loneliness, but the effect is only temporary. When the drink wears off, you feel worse because of the way the alcohol has affected your brain and the rest of your body. Drinking is not a good way to manage difficult feelings.
Ask for help: None of us is superhuman. We sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things don’t go to plan. If things are getting too much for you and you think you can’t cope, ask for help. Your family or friends may be able to offer practical help or a listening ear.
Do something you’re good at: What do you love doing? What activities can you lose yourself in? What did you love doing in the past? Enjoying yourself can help beat stress. Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it, and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.
Caring for others: Friends are really important. We help each other whenever we can, so it’s a two-way street, and supporting them can uplift you. Caring for others is often essential to maintaining relationships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together.