What is Mental Health?
Updated: Nov 21, 2022
IS IT A STATE OF MIND?
Mental health is a state of well-being that encompasses the emotional, psychological, and
social aspects of our lives. If you have positive mental health, you’re able to realize your own
potential, work productively, manage the normal stresses of life, have healthy relationships, and make a contribution to your community.
Conversely, if you experience mental
health problems, it could impact how you
think, feel, and act, and this could adversely impact other areas of your life.
More Than a State of Mind
Having good mental health is more than the absence of illness. Rather, it's a state of holistic well-being.
Some experts have tried coming up with different terms to explain the difference between mental health and mental health conditions. Phrases such as good mental health, positive mental health, mental wellbeing, subjective wellbeing, and even happiness have been proposed by various people to emphasize that mental health is about wellness rather than illness. While some say this has been helpful, others argue that using more words to describe the same thing just adds to the confusion.
As a result, others have tried to explain the difference by talking about a continuum where mental health is at one end of the spectrum – represented by feeling good and functioning well – while mental health conditions (or mental illness) are at the other – represented by symptoms that affect people’s thoughts, feelings or behavior.
Talk about your feelings
Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled. Talking about your feelings isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy. Talking can be a way to cope with a problem you’ve been carrying around in your head for a while. Feeling listened to can help you feel more supported. And it works both ways. If you open up, it might encourage others to do the same.
How Do I Maintain Positive Mental Health?
Here's The Practical Tips and Advice
Talk about your feelings
Be active
Eat well
Drink sensibly
Keep in touch
Ask for help
Take a break
Do something you're good at
Accept who you are
Care for others
ACCEPT WHO YOU ARE
Some of us make people laugh, some are good at maths, and others cook fantastic meals. We’re all different. It’s much healthier to accept that you’re unique than to wishyou 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. Be proud of who you are.
Recognize and accept the things you may not be good at, but also focus on what you can do well. If there’s anything about yourself you would like to change, are your expectations realistic? If they are, work towards the change in small steps.
