It is very important to have good mental health. Like being physically fit, being mentally healthy makes you feel good; it also allows you to enjoy the pleasures of life, grow healthy and try new things.
Maintaining mental health is the best way to prepare for life’s difficult moments, both on a personal and professional level.
To maintain mental health, you need to strike a balance between various aspects of your life. These are social, physical, mental, economic and spiritual conditions.
Achieving and maintaining this balance requires daily attention. Sometimes life’s challenges and struggles tip the scales one way or the other. You should therefore try to find the balance point. This balance is the foundation of mental health.
Factors Affecting Mental Health
- Biological factors such as heredity or stress levels
- Personal factors such as lifestyle, self-esteem or childhood experience
- Physical environment, such as the condition of one’s own home or the quality of life of one’s neighbors
- Social environment, such as the quality of relationships with family, friends and community
- Economic environment, such as employment status and living conditions
It is impossible to act against factors such as heredity or specific biological characteristics. However, you can change your habits and take some measures to keep yourself in good mental health.
Always Start Your Day with Breakfast!
How many times have you heard that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”? Despite this, many people are not used to eating breakfast. Unfortunately, this is very unhealthy, because if we skip this meal, our blood sugar will drop. And do you know what happens after that?
Your organs are compromised by not knowing where to get sugar from, so they create an inadequate supply of nutrients to the brain and gradually degenerate. You then have a lower intellectual performance throughout the day.
These drops in blood sugar can even cause symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Make Sure You Get Enough Sleep!
Your body cannot regenerate without the right amount of sleep. Many people stay up late or cannot sleep properly because of stress. When this becomes a habit, your cognitive processes are significantly affected. Lack of sleep can lead to stress, depression, moodiness and even strokes in the long run, among other problems associated with your mind.
Remember that you need at least 8 hours of sleep on average to maintain your mental health.
If you smoke, quit!
Quitting smoking will promote health in all your systems and improve your mental wellbeing.
Health professionals treating people with psychiatric problems often overlook their patients’ smoking habits. This is because they assume it helps them cope with depression, anxiety or substance abuse problems.
However, research from the University of Washington shows that people struggling with mood or addiction issues can safely quit smoking, and what’s more, quitting this habit is associated with better mental health.
Get Enough Physical Activity!
According to Professor Miguel del Valle, delegate of the Rectorate of Sport and Health at the University of Oviedo, although the effect of physical exercise on mental health is still being studied, exercise has an effect on the central nervous system, stabilizing its proteins and avoiding diseases caused by the imbalance of these substances.
Plus, being on the move is not only good for your body, your brain will thank you too. Because better circulation promotes a healthier mind. Physical activity also helps to reduce stress and pause your thoughts.
Take a Break from Electronic Devices!
Excessive use of digital screens has been linked to problems such as insomnia and higher levels of stress and anxiety.
Today, most of our social interactions take place online. So our pace of life is focused on electronic devices where we can access social networks and so on.
The constant use of technology, especially smartphones, prevents us from living in the moment. It also causes vision problems, stress, insomnia, depression and anxiety.
Now you know better some of the daily habits you should practice to promote better mental health. Remember: even by making some small changes you can greatly improve your quality of life to enjoy good mental health.