What is mental health?

With the pandemic going and the burgeoning tasks of life, most of the time we tend to ignore our health, which specially includes our mental health. Mental health is as much important for our well-being as our physical health which most of us take for granted. 
So what actually is mental health? Is it only the absence of mental disorders or disabilities or is it more than that? Most of the time people use the word mental health and mental illness interchangeably although they both have different meanings attached to it. An individual might experience a poor mental health but not be diagnosed with any kind of mental illness on the other hand an individual might be diagnosed with mental illness but may not experience poor mental health.
To put into perspective mental health includes your physical, social and mental well-being. It includes your overall emotions, psychology, sentiments and how you respond to things.  Mental health in 

Why mental health is important?

 As per the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), 1 in 5 people in Canada will experience a mental health problem or a mental health illness in any year, but 5 out of 5 people will have the issue of mental health in any given year.
It is important to realize that Mental Health is an important component of our overall well-being. Our Mental Health is a direct response to our surrounding environment. It defines and affects how will you feel on day-to-day basis. By large your mental health defines and affects a lot of things in your life. It affects your relationships, It affects your choices, It affects your social well-being, it affects your success, your mood and your emotions. When you are mentally healthy you become more positive towards life and its challenges, your social well-being quotient increases and you experience a more tranquil life.

What are the signs of poor mental health?

Although there are no perfect tests that may identify or indicate whether a person has developed poor mental health but surely there are certain signs to look out for. These signs, if you ever experience should raise red flags and you should take help.  Following are few of the signs of poor mental health:

•     Sleeping too much or too little on daily basis
•     Sudden change in your eating habit
•     If you feel like socially withdrawing yourself from your friends, family or colleagues
•     Feeling a sense of hopelessness 
•     Your negative emotions began dominating your positive emotions repeatedly
•     Thinking of physically harming yourself or to others
•     Excessive use of mood altering substances such as Alcohol, Nicotine etc. more frequently than before
•     Avoiding those activities which you have normally enjoyed
•     Constant feeling of low on energy
•     Displaying excess of any emotions which you would have not normally done

How to cope up with Poor Mental health?

•    Physical Health – A poor mental health may originate from poor physical health. The body works as a single machine, a fault in one system will affect the entire system. For a good mental health, start taking care of your physical health.
•    Keep yourself active – Keeping oneself active helps your brain to remain active. It helps to boost your self-esteem and to have a good sleep.
•    Taking proper diet – Giving the adequate nutrition to your body is important for both your mental as well as for your physical health. You should have an optimum mix of nutrients and vitamins in your diet.
•   Take proper rest – A relaxed body means a relaxed mind. Your body can survive for around 20 days without food and only 10 days without sleep. This shows a good sleep is a very important element of a healthy body and a healthy mind.
•   Be more socially active – Communication plays a major role in improving our mental health. Sharing your emotions with your loved ones can help you to stay positive and happy.

The golden rule for having healthy mental health is:

B.R.E.A.T.H.E
B – Break habits that don’t serve you 
R – Remember the things you are grateful for in your life
E – Eat a healthy diet
A – Allow yourself to slow down. Take proper breaks when you feel over-whelmed 
T – Talk to your loved ones regularly
H – Health is your priority. Take good care of it
E – Ease your mind

“Remember there is always hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t”
-John Green