Most of us are pretty tuned in to our physical state, quickly taking note of any new aches and pains that might surface. We typically don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with the doctor to have the symptoms checked out – but what about our mental health? Do we pay enough attention to our mental wellness?
Because our mental health is intrinsically linked to our physical health, they should be viewed as two sides of the same coin. Prioritizing our mental health should be just as important, if not more so, than our physical health, and May is the perfect month to take stock of mental wellness.
Mental Health Awareness Month is an annual public awareness campaign each May that promotes a nurturing mindset toward individuals that struggle with mental health conditions. By opening up the conversation around mental and emotional health, it helps reduce the stigma and encourages us to seek professional support.
What is Mental Health Awareness Month?
Mental Health Awareness Month, established by the National Institute of Mental Health (NAMI), devotes the month of May to increasing public awareness about mental illness while also seeking to end the stigma attached to mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month is designed, through various outreach efforts, to provide communities across the nation with vital mental health resources, including treatment information and support.
Have You Checked In on Your Mental Health Lately?
As we scurry around each day tackling our never-ending to-do lists, it is easy to place our mental wellness on the back burner. We are so focused on accomplishing daily tasks and meeting obligations that we might not even notice the signs of anxiety, depression, or any other mental health disorder.
Here is a condensed list of some general symptoms that might point to the presence of a mental health challenge. If you find yourself nodding your head as you read these symptoms, it may be time to delve a bit deeper into the cause. With early therapy and treatment, most mental health issues are easily managed.
Symptoms of mental health disorders include:
- Mood swings
- Intense irritability
- Changes in eating habits; sudden weight loss or weight gain
- Sleep problems
- Loss of interest in the hobbies and activities you once enjoyed
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Irrational feelings of fear, worry, or dread
- Apathy
- Angry outbursts or violent behaviors
- Emotional detachment
- Relationship struggles
- Using alcohol or drugs to self-medicate
- Thoughts of death or suicide
6 Steps to Improve Mental Health
If you recognize the signs of a mental health struggle, there are some important steps you can take to relieve the symptoms. These include:
- See your physician. The first step is to schedule a physical exam with your doctor. The doctor will order blood tests to rule out any medical condition that might be contributing to the symptoms. If no health condition is present, proceed to step 2.
- Improve sleep quality. It is virtually impossible to be alert and positive during the day if we are sleep-deficient. Set a daily sleep schedule to allow your body to establish a regular circadian rhythm, and aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night.
- Improve stress management. Although stress is the bane of our modern existence, there are effective tools to help manage it. Consider taking two yoga classes per week for starters, as yoga has been shown to reduce stress levels.
- Assess your diet. Yes, it is hard to break bad habits, but to truly improve your overall wellness it is important to rethink your diet. Ample research has shown that the Mediterranean diet provides immense health benefits. Augment those benefits by limiting caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, and sugary treats.
- Increase physical activity. Getting outside and moving is by far the quickest way to improve your mental health. Make it a priority to engage in at least one form of exercise per day, such as a brisk walk, a bike ride, a hike, or a run.
- Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Overall wellness improves when you view the world and the people around you with a positive, grateful attitude. Be intentional about recognizing the blessings in your life.
Of course, if undertaking these steps has no substantial affect on your symptoms it is time to visit a therapist. The therapist can perform a psychiatric evaluation to assess mental health and create a treatment plan. The treatment plan is likely to include psychotherapy, medication, and support groups.
Living a life of positivity and wellness is only made possible by prioritizing both physical and mental health. This May, let’s all check in on our current mental health status and address any issues that may be reducing our quality of life.
