Mental and Physical Health
Maintaining Mental Health
We are excited to be sharing a blog post from our Summer Intern, Ayanna Henry, who is an ASCEND Scholar and Track & Field athlete at Morgan State University. Our mental and physical health is tied together, so whenever we are addressing physical pain - it’s critical to also consider our mental and psychological wellbeing. Enjoy the information below, and if you have more questions about how we can help you from a physical and mental standpoint don’t hesitate too reach out and book a discovery call today!
What is mental health?
-Mental health is defined as our emotional, psychological, and social well-being (Mentalhealth,gov 2020)
-One’s mental health is important in decision making, relationships with others, and the ability to do daily tasks.
-The status of one’s mental health plays a crucial role in how one thinks, acts, and feels on a day to day basis
-As one’s life goes on, there may be contributing factors to mental health problems
-This includes trauma or abuse experiences
-A family history of mental health problems
-Genes that are associated with mental health problems
-It is important that individuals pay attention to symptoms in themselves or others that may indicate mental health problems.
Signs of Mental Health Problems
Behaviors or feelings as such can be an indicator of mental health problems:
-Smoking, drinking, and/or using drugs at a higher rate than normal
-Feeling like nothing matters/ having low energy
-Persistent thoughts you can’t get out of your head
-Unusual/ severe mood swings
-Thinking of harming yourself or others
Although these symptoms may feel unresolvable. There are ways to better one’s mental health; and for those that have little to no symptoms, there are ways to maintain your mental health level.
Talk It Out or Write It Out!
-One very important step to bettering or maintaining mental health is to talk about your feelings. Oftentimes it is stereotyped as a sign of weakness to speak on your feelings but, it is a healthy way to get out what’s being held in (Mental Health Foundation 2021)
-Writing out one’s feelings is great too! If you feel like you don’t have a place to start, putting things onto paper may help to discover a pattern in how you’re feeling or even events that make you feel the same negative emotions
-It will feel a bit foreign to do at first but, as time goes on, it will become natural and you will see the progress.
Do What You Love and Love What You Do!
-When is the last time you did your favorite hobby and felt the weight of the world off your shoulders? Be sure to make “you” time! Away from friends, family, work, and everything in between. Often, we get caught up in the stress of daily tasks. So much to the point of where we forget you must care for yourself too. So go out and paint that picture, sing your karaoke, try and make that new recipe, and let the endorphins flow!
-If you feel like you don’t have a hobby no worries! Anything as little as listening to music or lighting a candle will do.
One With The Wind
-Oftentimes in mental health problems, the individual is more focused on the past or future instead of being in the now. The following exercises are some great ways to stay in the now:
-Going into nature and walking barefoot in the grass or sand and taking note of how the ground feels in every step.
-Trace your hands over something with a unique texture. Pay special attention to the shape and describe the item as if it is your first time feeling it
-Go watch the sunrise, stargaze, or look at clouds flowing among the sky. Observe all the shapes and colors!
-Put on your favorite song and give it your undivided attention, try meditation for extra attentiveness (Living Well 2019)
These are a few of many ways to stay present and appreciate the little things in life!
Stay Active and Eat Well!
-When people think of exercise, the first thing that usually comes to mind is vigorous and intense training. This is not the only way exercise can be executed! Activities like dancing, roller skating, or even going for a stroll will help you to keep active! Most people should try to do 30 minutes of exercise 3-5 days a week.
-Exercising regularly can help with concentration, boost self-esteem, and improve sleep! All helping to improve our mental health.
- “You are what you eat” plays a bigger role than one may think in mental health. Eating at least three meals a day and including fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, dairy, and water into one’s everyday diet helps the brain to stay healthy and stay properly functioning. It also helps your body to feel better and keep you more energized throughout the day; therefore, helping to boost your mood! Consider speaking with a Registered Dietician if you need help and more specific guidance for your unique circumstances.
Be (You)Tiful!
-We as people have been shown a stereotype of who we are supposed to be. When individuals move away from this definition, it can be hard to accept themselves. This all goes to say that accepting who you are first and foremost and living in your truth is the best way to be! When you are proud of yourself it boosts personal confidence and may boost others to want to be their true selves as well. Never forget that you are one of a kind, and no one can take that away from you. So make the best of it and most importantly make yourself proud! You come before anyone else.
In Conclusion
We as beings will go through a plethora of emotions in this life. It is important to know how to handle it the best you can and be able to tackle mental health problems with confidence when the time comes. The hope of this blog post is to give individuals some information to start thinking about how they can take small steps to start a lifelong practice of taking care of their mind and body. We only get one body, so lets keep it in the best shape possible! Please note that although these recommendations are being given, if your doctor or therapist gives different advice, take that into consideration first! If you are having serious concerns about you or someone else’s mental health and symptoms, please reach out to SAMSHA’s 24/7 National Helpline at: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
References
What Is Mental Health? What Is Mental Health? | MentalHealth.gov. (2020.). https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health.
How to look after your mental health. Mental Health Foundation. (2021, June 4). https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-mental-health.
Grounding exercises: Mental health. Living Well. (2019, September 13). https://www.livingwell.org.au/well-being/mental-health/grounding-exercises/.