How do you spot someone who is mentally healthy? Researchers state that those who are emotionally healthy are in control of their emotions and behaviour, able to face the challenges of life, maintain and build strong relationships and recover easily from setbacks. Your mental health isn’t a given though – it requires as much effort and work as your physical health. There are many benefits to good mental health, such as a lowered risk of depression, a contented outlook and the ability to cope with the ups and downs of life. It will also boost your overall mood and well-being, build up resilience and lead to a more contented life overall. The term mental health refers to our overall psychological well-being, including your self esteem, the quality of your relationships, and how you cope with your feelings and any difficulties in your life. There’s more to good mental health that just being free of mental health problems – it encapsulates far more than people realise. Depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns all come under the umbrella term ‘mental health problems’, but just because you don’t have these doesn’t necessarily mean that you have good mental health.
So how do you know if you’re mentally well? People who have good emotional and mental health generally have a sense of contentment, a zest for life and the ability to have fun. They are able to deal well with adversity and stress, rather than succumbing to anger and upset easily. They have a healthy balance between work and play, finding equal time for activity and rest. These people are able to maintain good, fulfilling relationships, and have a strong sense of confidence in their bodies and actions. They find it easy to adapt to change, learn new things and take up new routines without worry or difficulty. While generalised, these features are common in people who have a sound, healthy mental health. All in all, positive mental health helps you to make the most of life and all it offers, enabling you to lead a full lifestyle with strong relationships, fulfilling activities and a productive work life. Life can be difficult, angering and stressful, but if you’re mentally fit and agile, you can bounce back and learn from it.
There are a number of ways of improving how you live your life and the effects your lifestyle has on your mental health. For example, connecting with others is a great way to do this. Why not volunteer and help someone out just for the pleasure of making life easier for them? Spend time with friends and family, rather than spending time at home on your own. Join groups and clubs in your local area, learn a new skill and make friends with new people – these are all things that can help you to feel more fulfilled. You can also make positive changes to your lifestyle, such as limiting alcohol, quitting drugs and smoking, and getting plenty of exercise. Taking better care of yourself isn’t just a change you make when you want physical adaptations – it can do wonders for how you feel as well. It will also help you to manage your stress levels, something that can have a negative impact on your mental health. Staying calm, relaxing more often, and doing things that make you happy will all have a positive effect. If you’re worried about your mental health, speak to your GP who can advise you of ways you can make a positive impact on how you feel.