Mental Health Guide

In honor of Mental Health Day happening this week, we are writing this week's Wellness Wednesday guide on mental health. Mental health is a topic that has been more openly talked about in the past decade. It used to be taboo to speak about stress, anxiety, mental health, etc., which was detrimental to individuals and to our society. Mental health is a very important aspect of our overall health, and everyone should ensure they take care of their mental well-being. In this blog, we will dive into what mental health is, the importance of mental health, and how to maintain your mental health. 

What is Mental Health? 

Mental health is defined as "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community." In simpler terms, mental health can be described as your psychological, social, and emotional well-being. Mental health involves the thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that you feel on a daily basis. 

Why is Mental Health Important? 

Mental health is important because it affects our daily lives in a huge way. Everything we do, say, or feel is related to it; Maintaining your mental health improves all the human interactions that you have on a daily basis. 

Benefits Of Prioritizing Your Mental Health 

Taking care of our mental health helps us cope with stress, makes us more productive, and allows us to enjoy our lives more. It also allows us to maintain healthy relationships with our friends and family. We can live a more fulfilling and enjoyable life if we can prioritize our mental health. 

6 Ways To Maintain Your Mental Health 

Sometimes it can be difficult to prioritize our mental health during our busy lives, so here are 6 steps you can take to maintain your mental health. 

Find A Hobby 

Finding a hobby that you love and that you can do in your free time is a great way to maintain your mental health. They say that having hobbies as an adult is one of the best ways to enjoy your free time and relieve stress. Some examples of hobbies you could enjoy are exercise, art, sports, collecting, etc.  

Socialize 

Socializing is a very important part of maintaining our mental health. Humans are naturally social creatures, so it is important to spend time with friends and family to ensure you maintain your mental health. Some people need more socialization than others, but a little socialization can go a long way toward our well-being. 

Eat A Healthy Diet 

Following a healthy diet is very important for maintaining your mental health. Avoiding junk food, fast food, and ultra-processed foods is important for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Choosing a wide variety of foods to eat provides an assortment of nutrients. Eating at regular meal times provides energy throughout the day and is vital for our mental health.  

Avoid Alcohol, Drugs, and Nicotine 

Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and nicotine as much as possible will help your mental health. These mind-altering substances can change the chemical makeup of our brains and disrupt hormone production which can lead to bad mental health. 

Get Enough Sleep 

Getting enough sleep is very important for mental health. Your body and brain both need to rest and if they don't get enough rest on a daily basis it can lead to changes in hormones such as increases in the stress hormone, cortisol. 

Practice Gratitude, Positivity, and Positive Self-Talk 

This might sound weird to some, but practicing gratitude, positivity, and positive self-talk is very beneficial for your mental health. Many people don't realize how negatively they think of themselves or how much pressure they put on themselves on a daily basis. This can cause unneeded stress and anxiety which leads to bad mental health over time. 

Mental Health Treatment Options 

There are many different mental health treatment options if you feel like you need professional help. Here are some mental health treatment options that you can ask your doctor about: 

• Psychotherapy 
• Medication 
• Support Groups 
• Brain Stimulation Therapy 

Mental Health Resources 

There are also many different mental health resources available to help you improve your mental health: 

• Online Therapy Apps such as BetterHelp
• Meditation Apps such as Calm
• Breathing Apps such as The Breathing App 
• The National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 
• The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 
• National Alliance on Mental Illness 
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America 

How Nutrition Plays A Part In Mental Health 

Nutrition has a major impact on our mental health because of our bodies' gut-to-mind connection. The food we eat nourishes both our bodies and our gut microbiomes. Our gut microbiome produces chemicals and hormones that are sent to our brains. Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is very important to maintaining your mental health and the best way to do that is by following a healthy diet full of whole foods. 

Do You Need Help With Your Nutrition? 

ModifyHealth can be your partner in better health by providing you with convenient and delicious, fully-prepared meals. Our Low FODMAP Diet and Mediterranean Diet meals are designed by doctors and dietitians to improve your overall health and help you combat chronic conditions.  

 

If you are interested in learning more about our medically tailored meal plans then click here: Medically Tailored Meal Plan