Much is said about the importance of mental health . Tips for maintaining it, such as relaxation, exercise and even food are part of a lot of information that circulates around.
But first of all it is important to understand what mental health really is for psychology!
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What is the concept of mental health in psychology?
For psychology, a person who is in good mental health is one who is able to cope with the changes and challenges of life, while knowing his own limits and knowing how to seek help when necessary.
Having mental health does not mean being free from a mental disorder – sometimes people with diagnoses of disorders can have better mental health than people who have no diagnosis.
This is because mental health is related to the ability to make decisions in relation to one’s own life (knowing what one wants from life, in popular language), organizing oneself internally and organizing the surrounding environment.
A mentally healthy person experiences a series of emotions on a daily basis, and not all of them are pleasant, but he can deal with these emotions, expressing them in an appropriate way that does not cause damage in his life.
How does mental health affect quality of life?
Bearing in mind that the definition of mental health involves being able to make decisions, deal with life’s adversities and experience and express your emotions properly, it is evident that mental health significantly impacts quality of life.
People who have impaired mental health end up having difficulties in interpersonal relationships, in love life, in studies, in career, in short, in all spheres of life.
Without mental health, a person has an emotional imbalance that can culminate in a series of problems such as aggression, neglect, interpersonal conflicts, among others.
A very depressed person may not be able to get out of bed and consequently fail to study or lose their job. Other disorders can increase a person’s chances of engaging in risky behaviors, such as bipolar disorder and some personality disorders.
Since mental health does not mean the absence of illness, people with mental disorders who keep their treatment up to date often go into remission and can be considered mentally healthy.
Likewise, people who have no diagnosis can also suffer from impaired mental health, although they often do not meet the criteria for diagnosing a mental disorder or are in the process of becoming ill.
How will a psychologist help me to be mentally healthy?
The psychologist is a promoter of mental health, that is, his main objective is to ensure that people are able to develop conditions in which their emotional and cognitive can function in order to guarantee the quality of life.
This does not mean that the psychologist takes care only of people with mental disorders. As mentioned earlier, people without disorders can also experience emotional and cognitive imbalances that can be resolved with the help of a psychotherapist.
Those who are going through major changes in their lives, such as mourning , ending relationships, unemployment, among others, can benefit from psychotherapeutic care too, even without any diagnosis.
Each psychologist has a theoretical body that allows him, within his approach, to be able to facilitate the individual’s awareness of his own imbalances, as well as assist in their regulation.
Therapy should help patients organize, make decisions and self-regulate their emotions.
Tips: What is good for mental and emotional health?
There are several activities that can be included in everyday life that can assist in mental health. Amongst them:
Doing physical exercises
Physical activities contribute to the release of endorphins that give the feeling of well-being during the day. In addition, exercises work as great emotional regulators when it comes to unpleasant emotions such as anger or anxiety .
Have a healthy eating
A balanced diet is not only good for physical health, but for mental health as well. Most of the neurotransmitters responsible for regulating mood are produced in the intestine, which needs good flora to produce adequate amounts.
Sleep properly
Sleep is also a major regulator of mood and therefore a good night’s sleep is crucial to maintaining mental health. It is recommended that you sleep an average of 8 hours a night.
People who sleep less than necessary often have their moods affected, becoming more prone to irritability and more moodiness in general.
The human being is a social being, so connections with the people we love are very important for mental health. Enjoying family time and reinforcing friendships are two activities that help a lot to stay in balance.
Have time for yourself
On a daily basis, we are often so busy that we don’t set aside time for ourselves. This is a mistake and a great facilitator for the emergence of mental disorders.
Set aside time in your daily life for you. Having a hobby, doing something pleasurable and dedicating quality time to you are good options.
Recognize the limits
We all have limitations. We are not machines capable of everything and therefore, now and then, we need to stop. Recognizing the limits is of utmost importance to maintain mental health.
This is because, when disrespecting the limits, it is like a car without a brake that ends up fusing the engine. Understanding that there are times when we cannot do certain things is crucial to keeping a healthy mind.
Seek help when needed
Finally, if even with all this you feel that you are not able to handle everything, seek help. No one needs to have a hard time alone and it is no sign of weakness to admit that sometimes it is too much.
Specialized help will help not only deal with the crisis itself, but also deal with the other misfortunes that may arise, in order to keep the mind and emotions in balance even in the face of life’s difficulties.
Having mental health is a daily construction, as it is related to all day-to-day activities – even the most common ones, such as talking or resting.
Remember that balance is not synonymous with unshakable. A mentally balanced person feels joy, sadness, anger, calm, fear, disgust and all other possible emotions. The important thing is to know how to deal with these emotions properly, preventing them from causing damage.
So it is essential to understand what mental health is and what to do to maintain it. Therefore, the Healthy Minute helps you with lots of information!
