What Mental Health Encompasses
Emotional well-being: Ability to manage feelings like stress, sadness, joy, and anger.
Cognitive health: Focus, memory, decision-making, problem-solving.
Social health: Relationships, communication, sense of belonging.
Resilience: Coping with life’s challenges, setbacks, and change.
Common Challenges
Stress & Anxiety: Constant worry, tension, racing thoughts.
Depression: Persistent sadness, lack of motivation, fatigue, changes in sleep/appetite.
Burnout: Emotional exhaustion often from work or caregiving demands.
Other issues: Trauma, grief, loneliness, mood disorders.
Everyday Practices for Mental Health
Physical Care
Regular exercise → boosts endorphins, reduces stress.
Sleep hygiene → consistent schedule, screen-free wind-down, 7–9 hours.
Nutrition → balanced diet supports brain chemistry.
Mindfulness & Relaxation
Meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation.
Journaling to process emotions.
Gratitude practice to shift mindset.
Social Support
Nurture friendships and family connections.
Seek community groups or peer support.
Talk openly about struggles instead of bottling them up.
Healthy Boundaries
Learn to say no when overwhelmed.
Manage workload and avoid overcommitment.
Create separation between work and personal life.
Professional Support
Therapy/Counseling: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), talk therapy, or other modalities.
Medication: For conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder (under medical supervision).
Hotlines & Crisis Support: Immediate help for overwhelming situations (e.g., 988 in the U.S. for suicide prevention).
When to Seek Help
Persistent sadness, anxiety, or mood swings that last weeks.
Difficulty functioning at work, school, or in relationships.
Thoughts of self-harm or feeling life isn’t worth living (in this case: seek help immediately).
✅ Key takeaway: Mental health is just as important as physical health — caring for it daily through habits, community, and sometimes professional help makes a huge difference in resilience and quality of life.