Why is Mental Health Important

Mental Health is a huge issue, especially in a country like India, where people generally tend to shy away from talking about it and don’t feel comfortable sharing what they are going through even with their close ones. Taking care of one’s mental health and well-being should be an important priority in today’s generation, and should not be neglected in any case. We need to understand that mental health is just as important as physical health, and we can talk about it with people we feel comfortable talking to if not, we can always rely on a counselor or therapists, they will not judge us and we can openly express our vulnerable side to them. Cases of mental illness and depression saw a huge spike during the Covid-19 outbreak, when everything was uncertain, people felt lonely and helpless and grieved for the loss they were experiencing.  

There is often a great deal of stigma associated with anything pertaining to mental health, which is why it is important that we applaud good mental health initiatives and work to remove any obstacles that have been put in our way so that we can address mental health in an effective manner. Because there is so much stigma around this topic, people often find it hard to share their innermost feelings as they sense a fear of judgment from society. In a country like India, if you tell anyone that you are seeing a therapist, people will judge you in no time and will probably think that you are mad. Though this scenario seems to be changing for the good, as people are now more open with their thoughts and opinions regarding such issues and I think nowadays social media plays a big role in spreading awareness and starting a conversation around this, especially with the younger generation. 

Let’s talk about some points that you can keep in mind to prioritize your mental health:

·       Take some time out for yourself on a regular basis and introspect on your life and just engage in activities that bring joy to you, be it baking, playing with your pet, or watching a movie. We are living in this fast-paced world where things can get overwhelming at times and we may feel that nothing is going as per our expectations, but we need to remember that things do get better with time. 

·       Try to spend more time with your family and friends, people with whom you feel comfortable talking about your life, and people with whom you can share not only the good part but who are also there for you in your bad times and can listen to your problems and provide you with the moral support. 

·       Go out for walks and ensure that you pay attention to your physical fitness as well. Consume a healthy and balanced diet, as even the food we consume can impact us in many different ways. Don't skip your breakfast and consume foods that support your mood. fruits and vegetables along with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon. Dark green leafy vegetables in particular are brain protective. Nuts, seeds, and legumes, such as beans and lentils, are also excellent brain foods. 

·       Focus on your self-development and growth, learn new skills and try to interact with more people who are also going through the same thing as you. Doing these things and prioritizing yourself will boost your self-confidence and make you realize your true worth so that you never underestimate yourself. 

In the end, just remember that you are not alone and you just need to ask for help, be it someone from your family or a professional therapist, people will be there to support you and make sure that whatever is bothering you gets resolved and you get to live your life on your own terms.