Why It’s Important to Care for Your Mental Health
Mental health is integral to living a healthy, balanced life.
By Dr. Glen Xiong
Our mental health encompasses our psychological, emotional and social well-being. This means it impacts how we feel, think and behave each day. Our mental health also contributes to our decision making process, how we cope with stress and how we relate to others in our lives.
Why is emotional health important?
Emotional and mental health is important because it’s a vital part of your life and impacts your thoughts, behaviors and emotions. Being healthy emotionally can promote productivity and effectiveness in activities like work, school or caregiving. It plays an important part in the health of your relationships, and allows you to adapt to changes in your life and cope with adversity.
How can you improve your emotional health day-to-day?
There are steps you can take to improve your mental health everyday. Small things like exercising, eating a balanced and healthy meals, opening up to other people in your life, taking a break when you need to, remembering something you are grateful for and getting a good night’s sleep, can be helpful in boosting your emotional health.
When is a good time to reach out for help?
Issues related to mental health can impact different people in different ways. If you start to see changes in your overall happiness and relationships, there are always ways get the support you want. Here are some ways you can get help:
- Connect with other individuals, friends and family — Reaching out and opening up to other people in your life can help provide emotional support.
- Learn more about mental health — There are many resources you can turn to for learning more about emotional health. Some examples include Psychology Today and National Institute of Mental Health
- Talk to a professional — If you start to feel like your emotional health is starting to impact you, it may be time to reach out for extra support.