Over the last few months and especially in recent weeks, mental health is a term that many people have become familiar with. For most of us, we did not hear this term in our youth and were not taught much about how to practice mental health.
What is Mental Health?
Just like we know what it is like to be physically healthy, we can also know when our mind is feeling healthy. From a very young age, we are told to rest if we have a headache, given medication for stomach aches, or taken to a doctor for regular check-ups. Unfortunately, we as a society have not paid the same attention to our
If you or someone around you is finding it difficult to function, it may indicate that mental health is being ignored. The more our mental health care needs are ignored, the more difficult it becomes to function emotionally and behaviourally.
Emotion Regulation
Our emotions interact with our thoughts and colour how we see and relate to the world around us. Something as simple as cooking can feel so different depending on what emotion you are feeling at the time. Emotions have a powerful role in how we experience the world. Knowing how to regulate and manage our emotions can help us change our thoughts and behaviors and regulate our mental health.
We all have the ability to manage and regulate our own emotions but since we have not been taught to do so, we can sometimes get overwhelmed. If you find that this is something you would like to learn please explore Kalden’s website to find out more on how to coach and cope with your emotions. We can all learn the skills to regulate our own emotional and mental health.
Practicing Mental and Emotional Health
Rid the stigma: We have all heard about how there is stigma to mental health but we do not realize how we also participate in it. When we start to judge ourselves or others about how we feel, we stigmatize mental health. The next time you find yourself asking someone not to cry, instead, try asking why they are crying or what you can do to help. It is in small ways that we can show we care while also not judging the emotions that are being felt.
Do regular self-check-ins: Remember to check in with your mind just like you would do with your body. When you know a part of a body is in pain we usually rest it. Similarly, if we feel mentally fatigued, drained, overly anxious or aggressive it might be time to give your mind some rest.
Develop Mental health care practices: This could be anything that makes your mind feel rested and rejuvenated. It could be through creative expression, silent meditation, or regular exercise. Pick what makes you feel good and make it a practice!
Seek out professional help: We usually associate professional help with mental illness and this makes it difficult to seek out these professionals. A mental health professional can help you to deal with your mental health by providing you with space and tools to process your experiences. Do not be ashamed to seek help or to recommend professional help to others.
Be attentive: Most of the time, we can sense if someone is having a bad day or is in a bad mood. Similarly, we can also sense when people may be struggling with their mental health. If we are attentive and feel that a certain friend has been struggling for a while, being more present in their lives and engaging can go a long way. Do not ignore the importance of mental health. Find ways that help you and those around you address and cope with these struggles. For more on how to develop these practices please read