Recommendations for good mental health

Talking about mental health today is no longer taboo or frowned upon as it was a few years ago. On the contrary, it is becoming increasingly relevant and a topic discussed in a conversation with friends and through social media. Maintaining good mental health will be reflected in your relationship with other people and your physical state. If you take care of it consciously, you will notice positive changes in yourself.

Below we share some important information and recommendations so that you are attentive and know how to act in the event of any warning signs.

What is the importance of mental health?

Enjoying good mental health is also the ability to deal with complex situations, allowing a good development of skills and promoting healthy interpersonal relationships. Optimal mental health is a state of well-being in which you feel calm with yourself and your environment.

What are some of the causes of mental illness?

Mental health can be affected by different factors. Among them are, for example, negative personal experiences, experiences or situations related to social interaction, specific complex family experiences, the cultural environment, and the school or work environment, among others. That is why it is essential to be aware of the environment and the people you interact with frequently.

Habits that contribute to maintaining good mental health

There are some activities that, when practiced regularly, contribute to optimal mental health. By including them in your day-to-day routines, they will become habits and, therefore, begin to manifest themselves positively through changes in your attitude, physical well-being, and mental well-being. Some of these activities are:

• Exercise frequently: dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to performing physical activity. Try to find a sport or practice similar to your likes so that you do not see it as an obligation or sacrifice but as leisure time and recreation. You can also choose several exercises and alternate them during the week, which will give you more dynamism and make it easier to maintain the habit in the long term.

• Have good eating habits: to take care of your mind, it is also essential to take care of your body. Try to prioritize fiber-rich foods and do not neglect consuming fruits and vegetables. It is a mistake to think that diet only influences the physical state and that, for this reason, the type of food that is chosen does not matter because, according to medical studies, adequate nutrition generates physiological processes that are related to the centers of the brain and, therefore, makes brain connections stay healthy and balanced.

• Sleep hygiene: we know how difficult it can be to meet 8 hours of sleep every day. However, you must maintain a defined sleep schedule. On the other hand, it is essential to avoid caffeine, especially if you have insomnia. Wear comfortable sleep clothes and control the use of electronic devices during the last few hours before going to bed.

• Reduce stress: prolonged stress can trigger chronic stress, which has serious health consequences such as high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes, severe headaches, depression, and anxiety. Precisely for this reason, you must do everything possible to avoid environments in which strong arguments constantly take place, spaces where you have to work under pressure, endless to-do lists, and other situations that end up deteriorating your mental health and that will also affect your health, physical condition, and physical performance.

Some mental illnesses

Mental illnesses and disorders represent one of the highest percentages of health problems in the United States. Most of these generate alterations in the behavior and mood of the people who suffer from them. Some of the most common illnesses are depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In the event of the first alerts related to sudden changes in habitual behavior or substantial mood declines, people might consult a health professional; at first, they may appear to be temporary situations, but not paying attention to them in time can trigger the development of advanced mental illness.

What is the role of the family or caregiver?

Suppose you are a relative or caregiver of someone suffering from a diagnosed mental illness or disorder. In that case, you should know that there are some steps you can follow to accompany that person correctly and respectfully.

One of them is to research and collect enough information to understand and empathize with the person you are caring for. Another critical point is not to invalidate or downplay this person’s thoughts or feelings. On the contrary, the ideal is to give him confidence so that he feels free and can express himself calmly. If, on the contrary, this person shows difficulty or shyness when it comes to communicating, it is better not to pressure them. Avoid stigmatizing mental illness and try not to blame or judge the patient for their behaviors.

In summary, 

Mental health is an issue that we need to talk about more and more frequently since it is in this way that it will become a topic of greater social interest. Therefore the causes, consequences, and methods of treating a Mental illness are topics that need to be monitored.

A mental illness must have psychological support, which can be expensive if you pay for it alone. There are medical insurances that include psychological care service that allows you to have the support of mental health professionals. If you still need health insurance or your current one does not include this service, contact us through our email contact-us@preventty.com to provide free advice.