Mental health encompasses your emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It influences how you think, feel and behave in daily life, shaping your choices, relationships and resilience to stress.
Many factors impact mental health from genetics and biological factors to life experiences and your environment.
Your mental health changes over the course of your life as you transition through milestones and encounter challenges. Key stages throughout your life and how you manage them can impact your mental health.
You might feel stressed, anxious or sad at times without necessarily experiencing a mental health condition. However, when these feelings linger and interfere with your daily functioning, it may indicate the need for professional support.
If you approach mental health as a natural and dynamic part of your overall health, you may feel more comfortable discussing it openly.
Everyone is different and may choose to look after their mental health in different ways. However, there are universally recommended activities you can do to look after your mental and physical wellbeing:
- Stay Active: Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood.
- Eat Well: A balanced diet can help you feel better and improve your mood.
- Get Enough Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for mental health. It is recommended to aim for 7-9 hours per night.
- Connect with Others: Building strong, positive relationships with others can provide emotional support and improve your mental health.
- Practice Mindfulness: Techniques such as meditation and yoga can help you stay grounded and reduce stress.
- Laugh: Laughter is a proven way to increase dopamine and endorphins, chemicals that elevate mood. It also oxygenates your body and cools down your stress-response systems, producing an overall calm, happy feeling.
- Seek Professional Help: If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional.
– Mr. Jerry Jacob, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Clinical Psychology