Seven Easy Tips to Manage Your Mental Health
Students are bringing a new generation of thoughtfulness to the School & College campuses with each returning year. The empathy levels are higher than in previous generations, feeling more responsible for helping those struggling.
They are also engaging in less risky behaviour than yester years; for instance, they are more likely to wear a seatbelt and less likely to engage in high-risk drinking. They are also leading the way in breaking down mental health stigma because they are more likely to discuss the topic than students.
However, there are some concerning trends too. This generation reports higher levels of loneliness than any other generation as now most of the kids are single children, 1 in 3 have a diagnosed mental health condition, and 7% have seriously considered suicide. These students also report being considerably more likely to go to their friends for support when dealing with these issues, while only 3% seek out counsellors for help.
To reduce stigma and promote awareness, many institutions provide opportunities for students to speak openly about their mental health, and many institutions are proactively seeking opportunities to engage students around the issues of Mental Health.
Dr GP Rao, Founder of GPR, stated that Mental health provides Resilience to beat Stress. Meditation, Mindfulness, a Moderate diet, Music, and Mother Nature give us Mental strength and peace.
World Mental Health Day on October 10th is an ideal opportunity to start or continue a proactive conversation about mental health with students; taking care of your mental health is vital to being fit and healthy. In addition, there are numerous things you may do to safeguard your mental health.
Here are the top 7 pieces of advice to prevent mental illness-
Follow a Schedule
Maintain a consistent schedule as much as possible while preserving a good mix of work, play, and family time. A daily timetable might help you focus on day-to-day tasks with new energies, says Ashok Vashist, CEO of Aaveg
Eat Healthily
Celebrity fitness trainee Kiran Dembla suggests to Eat Healthily.
It’s not only necessary for our bodies to eat healthily, but it’s also crucial for our thoughts. Mineral deficiencies, such as a lack of iron or vitamin B12, can make us feel gloomy. So make a conscious effort to eat a well-balanced diet. Even caffeine can make you feel jittery and anxious, so limit or eliminate it if you’re highly nervous or anxious.
Self-Care
Treat yourself with care and respect, and refrain from self-criticism. Instead, make time for your favourite projects and interests or widen your horizons. Invest in yourself by going on a walk, listening to music, planting a garden, taking dance lessons, learning to play an instrument, or becoming fluent in another language- the sky is the limit, says Kavita Rai, Career Coach, National Career Counsellors Network.
Calm your Thoughts
Rosalin Patasani, Founder Parichay Foundation, advised meditating, practising mindfulness, and praying to calm thoughts.
Relaxation exercises and prayer help you feel better about yourself and your life. In addition, according to studies, meditation can help you feel calmer and augment therapy results.
Balance your job and personal lives
In life, we all play a variety of roles. You could be a parent, a spouse, a coworker, or a student. It’s easy to feel torn between obligations, and it’s tempting to forego vital aspects of your life. You may feel less fulfilled and more worried as a result of this. According to Sunanda Rao, Head HR, Aaveg, working towards a more excellent work-life balance promotes happiness.
Consider your level of satisfaction in the way you handle relationships, studies, employment, recreation, health, exercise, self-development, and spiritual life. Then, ponder, are you giving each the time and attention it deserves?
Limit Social Media
Limit your daily screen time, which includes time spent on social media and watching or reading the news. They can be highly addictive! So says Vivek Laroia, CEO WTi Cabs.
Seek Help
In today’s demanding lives, mental health is a concern. However, seeking assistance is a sign of strength, not weakness. It’s also vital to realise the importance of positive therapies.
People with mental illnesses and addictions can recover and live rewarding lives if they receive the proper care, said Mehfisha Anjum, Founder of Helping mind counselling centre.
Mental wounds are not visible. Be more sensitive towards your mental health and your loved ones.
Career Beacon Editorial Team reached out to Counsellors for their views on Mental Health. Here are a few suggestive statements
Kamal Agarwal- Emotional Skills Trainer and Parenting Coach- said that your mind needs a PITSTOP too!
Let us create a world where mental health is a priority, acknowledged, cherished, safeguarded, and accessible. Soby Johnson School Counsellor The Choice School, Ernakulam
Responding to and caring for my mental health is my responsibility for being a productive youth. Anju Passi, Career Counselor and Life coach
You feel like you are unsolved. You need to find out what God had set for you to solve. Your questions are your answers, Dr Anadi Jangra.
A Positive Mindset is the best mantra for good Mental Health. Dr Sonia Achantani, Career Counselor
Your strength and capabilities do not count if your mental health doesn’t sync. Arvind Kohli.
You matter – mental health matters – life may be challenging, but so are you! Col Aditya Budhiraja ( Retd ), Mental Health advocate and Motivational Speaker
When it’s all said and done, it is essential to remember that World Mental Health Day is just that– one day. Using this day as an opportunity to engage community members in dialogue, you can be much more prepared to continue the conversation as the year progresses.
Best ways to improve mental health and well-being
People opt for different ways to surmount the mental health problems they are undergoing in their lives. It works the traditional method of shutting inside the room till things seem normal; for some, it goes the excessive exercise way. However, such escape routes are a big no by mental health experts. Deal it from the root.
Take a journal and note down how your days are and what you feel. Examine your thoughts written after a week and then after a month. Soon you’ll notice the graph of your thoughts and understand which direction it leads. Every weird situation has goodness hidden in it. Finding that would make your mental health a priority!
Get out of closed walls. A walk to the nearest park or spending time enjoying sunrise and sunsets will put your mind at ease. It might not be accessible initially, but patience is the key. Spend time helping others and trying new activities. Plan a hike, go on adventures, and explore activities that get you back to your happy self. Sleep is essential, especially when you are experiencing mental issues. Try belly breathing or yoga. It will help you loosen your muscles, put your body at ease and have a quality sleep.
