Mental health looks different for everyone, it is unique to us all and only you can say how it impacts on your daily life. Sometimes it can be hard to explain and talk about and thankfully there is now more awareness and health care promotion to encourage being more open about mental health, for example Time to Talk Day an annual event in February aiming to get people talking, listening and discussing mental health and how it impacts them.
You can find much guidance on what to do when you are struggling with your mental health, tips ranging from exercise, spending time in nature or meditating but what does good mental health look like? Firstly, it is subjective so it depends on how you feel but it could be helpful to get a general sense.
Signs of good mental health
Some indications of good mental health could include:
- Feeling able to cope with daily stressors and challenges
- Sense of balance in life
- Good, restful and undisturbed sleep
- Being aware of your emotions and moods
- Ability to adapt to change and uncertainty
Good mental health does not mean that you feel happy and positive all the time but it means you may be more able to cope with and process difficult feelings and emotions when they do come up and be better able to manage them.
It is normal for your mental health to fluctuate depending on what's happening in your life. There are many benefits to having good mental health including improved relationships, sense of peace and increased self confidence and general well-being.
How can you have good mental health?
Think about what you enjoy in life, do you have a hobby or interest that brings you pleasure? Can you do more of that? What makes you unhappy or lowers your mood? Is it possible to step back from that or reduce the time spent on it?
There are a number of ways you can try improve your mental health such as:
- Socialising
- Exercising
- Following a healthy lifestyle
- Talking through your feelings and getting support through difficult times
Mental health is just as important as physical health and should be treated as such. We all experience times when we struggle with our mental health and this is normal. If it goes further for you and you struggle often or for longer then you may wish to consider seeking support perhaps from your GP or medical professional. Talking can really help, if you can seek support from family and friends or community groups or alternatively, if you feel therapy may benefit you. Please get in touch if you want to explore how therapy could support you in dealing with mental health concerns.