After a long day of class, Rehnuma returned home. She put her bag on the table and just dug into bed. She was thinking about the pressure of the upcoming mid-exam for which she hadn’t taken enough preparation. Suddenly, she felt so lost and low and went to
sleep.
We all face difficulties in our daily lives. No matter how hard we try, we sometimes feel like we cannot fix things as we want. That’s when we feel lost and our mental health gets affected.
We often neglect this issue, and later on, we have to suffer from it. Just like our physical health needs food, water, and energy to grow and prosper, our mental health is also an important component that we cannot ignore.
So how can we overcome this issue? Do we need to follow any specific ways? No worries. You do not have to go to any doctor if you can be consistent in these easy ways. Let’s look at some steps to keep our mental health well:
1. Try to Relax First
Take a deep breath and try to think about how you can manage your stress by relaxing. You can do things that help you calm down, such as walking, going around, reading a book, getting quality sleep, and many more.
2. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Food and drinks impact both our body and mind. Regularly consuming unhealthy foods like processed snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food can lead to long-term health issues. To maintain our mental and physical wellness, we should have a proper healthy diet. To support both mental and physical wellness, focus on a balanced diet. Drink plenty of water, eat fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods.
3. Exercise Regularly
The more you move your body, the fitter you’ll be. Physical activity benefits both your body and mind. Regular exercise like walking, running, or any other form of movement boosts your mood and self-esteem, while helping you stay physically fit.
4. Explore Places or Things
Go outside of your daily work life. We confine ourselves so much to our daily grinds that we forget to see the outside world. Roam around the places you like. Visit places with nature and greenery, and take a break.
5. Have a Purpose and Meaning in life
Though this is different for everyone, finding purpose in your day is a big factor in moving on with your life. Engage in work that has a beneficial matter. Volunteering at work can help enrich your life and make you happy. Help people as much as you can. Think of one
good deed that may be rewarding and challenging.
6. Try to Have a Sound Sleep
Research suggests adults need 7–10 hours of sleep for optimal health. Avoid excessive screen time as it disrupts the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. So, it’s very important to have enough quality sleep so you can wake up refreshed and
ready for the day.
7. Find Support and Be Supportive
Many people bottle their feelings inside them and think that these feelings will go away. But it takes much courage to get help from someone you trust. You can share your problems or feelings with someone who can understand you. Or, you may get help from an expert, counselor, or primary care doctor. Try to help others who are also struggling with their mental health. Moreover, it will help strengthen your relationship with others. And last of all, Be kind to Yourself. We have to accept our struggles; they don’t define who we are. Rather, trying to get over those struggles shows us how strong we are.
You have to keep in mind that YOU matter every day, no matter what. LOVE YOURSELF FIRST!
Sources:
• National Institute of Mental Health
• BC Mental Health & Substance USE Services
• Guardian Life
Zerin Anjum Prova
