Why is Mental Health Important? — Joanne Guillard
“ You can have anxiety but still sound confident. You can have depression but still smile and make jokes. You can feel suicidal but still turn up to work everyday and appear fine.”
Mental Health Affects Physical Health
Studies show that mental illness impacts physical health directly and indirectly. For example, depression impacts mood and motivation but also can affect the immune system. People with depression often feel tired and overwhelmed and physically you become fatigued. Also, anxiety and anger can trigger heart attacks.
How to Improve Mental Health and Physical Health?
The key facts of being mentally healthy are that you can cope with life stresses, you become physically healthy, you can manage and be productive in work and relationships, and you know your own potential. There are several ways to take care of your mental health. The most important part of being mentally healthy is self-care and seeking counseling. Self-care involves good sleeping patterns, seeking activities that you enjoy, and taking a walk outside. Some people can also benefit from counseling or seeing a therapist. You don’t have to have a mental illness to seek a therapist.
Here are some other ways to practice self-care: 31 Tips To Boost Your Mental Health (Mental Health America).
Taking care of your mental health means that your physical health can improve and vice versa. Eating healthy, exercising, and taking a break from the screen (tv, tablet, computer, etc) are some ways you can improve your physical health.
Originally published at https://www.joanneguillard.com on September 14, 2020.
