World Mental Health Day: How to take better care of your mind
Don't become a victim, here is how you can lower your chances of suffering from a mental health condition.
Close to one billion people have a mental health disorder. This is according to a report by the World Health Organization.
Sadly, despite the magnitude of mental health issues, relatively few people around the world have access to quality mental health services, states the organization.
Although there are many different types of mental health, they involve significant disturbances in thinking, emotional regulation, or behaviour.
In June, the Department of Health revealed that more than 6.5 million people in South Africa need professional mental health intervention.
READ: More than 6m in SA need mental health intervention – Health Dept
COVID-19 made matters worse with many people losing their loved ones and income.
The good news is that there are things you can do to lower your chances of suffering from a mental health condition.
- Be aware of things that serve as triggers. For instance, guard the kind of information you feed yourself. Constantly listening to or watching bad news can affect your mood and mental health.
- Eat healthily. Food contributes to our overall health. According to the Mental Health organization, eating well can help you feel better.
- Remove yourself from toxic relationships. Many people suffer from depression because of toxic relationships. For example, marital problems can negatively affect your mental health, toxic co-workers and bosses can also contribute to mental health problems, and family feuds can also do you more harm than good. Try to avoid or distance yourself from people that contribute negatively to your mental health.
- Find out what are your hobbies. Doing things that you love can make you feel good, thus, boosting your mood.
- Live in your purpose. Discover your purpose and walk in it. This brings satisfaction and validation of why your life matters.
- Exercise. Exercise has been proven to boost mental health. NCBI reports: "Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function".
If you suffer from a mental health condition, seek help as soon as possible by reaching out to organizations such as SADAG or the Mental health help line on 0800 12 13 14.
READ: Mental Health: Five morning routines to help you prepare for the day
Disclaimer: Health-related information provided in this article is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems. It is always advisable to consult with your doctor on any health-related issues.
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