Mental Health and Wellbeing Essential Tips for a Balanced Life

Mental health affects our thoughts, feelings, and behavior, influencing stress management, challenges, relationships, and recovery from setbacks. It encompasses more than just avoiding mental illness; it involves positive emotional and psychological traits that enable us to thrive. Resilience, the ability to recover from difficulties, is crucial for strong mental health.

Understanding resilience's role in mental health can enhance our well-being and help us navigate life's challenges more effectively.

Mental health includes more than the absence of conditions like depression or anxiety; it involves self-esteem, emotional management, and fulfilling relationships.

Many different conditions are recognized as mental illnesses. The more common types include:

• Anxiety disorders: People with anxiety disorders respond to certain objects or situations with fear and dread, as well as with physical signs of anxiety or panic, such as a rapid heartbeat and sweating. An anxiety disorder is diagnosed if the person's response is not appropriate for the situation, if the person cannot control the response, or if the anxiety interferes with normal functioning. Anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.

• Mood disorders: These disorders, also called affective disorders, involve persistent feelings of sadness or periods of feeling overly happy, or fluctuations from extreme happiness to extreme sadness. The most common mood disorders are depression, bipolar disorder, and cyclothymic disorder.

• Psychotic disorders: Psychotic disorders involve distorted awareness and thinking. Two of the most common symptoms of psychotic disorders are hallucinations -- the experience of images or sounds that are not real, such as hearing voices -- and delusions, which are false fixed beliefs that the ill person accepts as true, despite evidence to the contrary. Schizophrenia is an example of a psychotic disorder.

• Eating disorders: Eating disorders involve extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors involving weight and food. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are the most common eating disorders.

• Impulse control and addiction disorders: People with impulse control disorders are unable to resist urges or impulses to perform acts that could be harmful to themselves or others. Pyromania (starting fires), kleptomania (stealing), and compulsive gambling are examples of impulse control disorders. Alcohol and drugs are common objects of addiction. Often, people with these disorders become so involved with the objects of their addiction that they begin to ignore responsibilities and relationships.

• Personality disorders: People with personality disorders have extreme and inflexible personality traits that are distressing to the person and/or cause problems in work, school, or social relationships. In addition, the person's patterns of thinking and behavior significantly differ from the expectations of society and are so rigid that they interfere with the person's normal functioning. Examples include antisocial personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and paranoid personality disorder.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): People with OCD are plagued by constant thoughts or fears that cause them to perform certain rituals or routines. The disturbing thoughts are called obsessions, and the rituals are called compulsions. An example is a person with an unreasonable fear of germs who constantly washes their hands.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a condition that can develop following a traumatic and/or terrifying event, such as a sexual or physical assault, the unexpected death of a loved one, or a natural disaster. People with PTSD often have lasting and frightening thoughts and memories of the event, and tend to be emotionally numb.

The Link Between Physical Health and Mental Resilience

The mind and body work closely together. Improving physical health often leads to better mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, natural chemicals that boost mood and energy. Regular physical activity can:

• Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety

• Improve sleep quality

• Increase self-confidence

• Enhance cognitive function

  
  

Even simple activities like walking, stretching, or yoga can strengthen resilience by helping the body manage stress better. When the body feels strong, the mind often follows.

Practical Ways to Build Mental Health Resilience

Building resilience is a skill anyone can develop. Here are some practical steps:

• Practice mindfulness: Focus on the present moment to reduce worry about the past or future.

• Stay connected: Maintain supportive relationships with friends, family, or community groups.

• Set realistic goals: Break challenges into smaller, manageable steps.

• Take care of your body: Eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.

• Learn from experience: Reflect on past difficulties and how you overcame them.

• Seek help when needed: Talking to a counsellor or therapist can provide tools and support.

  
  

These habits strengthen your ability to cope with stress and bounce back from setbacks.

Resilience is not just for people facing major crises. It benefits everyone by improving daily well-being and quality of life. Whether dealing with work pressure, family issues, or personal goals, resilience helps us stay balanced and hopeful.

A counsellor or therapist can provide tools and support that are essential for personal growth and emotional well-being. Engaging in therapy offers a safe and confidential space where individuals can express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. This environment promotes open communication, allowing clients to explore their challenges more deeply and gain insights into their behaviors and emotions.

In therapy, various techniques and strategies are introduced to help individuals cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. These tools may include cognitive-behavioural strategies that help reframe negative thought patterns, mindfulness practices that promote present-moment awareness, and problem-solving skills that empower individuals to tackle life's challenges more effectively. Furthermore, therapists can assist in developing healthy coping mechanisms, improving interpersonal relationships, and enhancing self-esteem.

Additionally, the therapeutic relationship itself can be a powerful source of support. A skilled therapist not only listens empathetically but also provides constructive feedback and guidance tailored to the individual’s unique situation. This collaborative process encourages individuals to set and achieve personal goals, promote a sense of accomplishment and resilience.

Moreover, therapy is not just about addressing immediate concerns; it can also lead to long-term personal development. As individuals work through their issues, they often uncover deeper patterns and beliefs that influence their lives. This self-discovery can lead to profound changes in how they perceive themselves and interact with the world around them, ultimately contributing to a more fulfilling and balanced life.