Why is it Important to Prioritize our Mental Health?

Written by Griffin Hallemeier | July 31, 2020

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One’s mental health affects all aspects of their daily life functions. Therefore, the maintenance of a good mental state is vital to having a good quality of life. According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization, one in four people struggles with some type of mental health issue. Whether it be major or minor, any issues with your mental well-being can have a great effect on how you live your life. For that reason, it is important to prioritize your mental health in order to keep a positive outlook on life and to keep the other aspects of your life in check.

One of the most important and key ways that mental health issues can affect you is emotionally. Mental health problems can lead to sudden changes in mood, an increase in stress levels, and an inability to feel emotion at all. Emotional mental health issues are most prominent in teenagers, particularly those aged 10-19, but that doesn’t mean that adults don’t also struggle with emotional problems. Emotional issues affect the way you act, think, and feel, as well as also affecting your relationships with those around you. One of the most common ways to cope with emotional issues is to listen to music, which can reduce stress and release calming hormones in the brain. Other ways to deal with these problems is to discuss them with a trusted peer, or just getting a good sleep at night, as low energy can poorly affect your mood.

Mental health problems can also affect your physical health. They can make you less energetic, causing a lot more tiredness. On top of that, they can also lead to stress-induced headaches, which can leave you extremely irritable. One way to make sure that mental health doesn’t affect your physical health dramatically is to exercise. Any kind of exercise will release calming hormones into your brain called endorphins, which are also known as “feel good” chemicals due to their ability to relieve pain and stress, as well as boosting happiness. A daily workout drastically decreases your stress levels, along with a reduction in the effects of any mental health issues. A simple mile jog, bike ride, or weightlifting session can completely alter the flow of your brain and change the state of your well being for the day. Taking up exercise as a hobby also allows a lot of time to clear your mind, as you don’t have to focus on as much of your life when being active.

A lot of people these days struggle with finding the time in their day to consider their mental health. If this is your case, set aside at least half an hour a day for yourself to handle your problems. Find someone you trust to talk about what’s bothering you. If you don’t feel comfortable telling anyone, even just writing down what’s bothering you in a notebook can help. If neither of these options works for you, feel free to write about what’s bothering you in our Thought Capsule®. Don’t worry, your posts will be completely anonymous if you choose since we understand how difficult it may be to come forward with any problems you might be having. Remember, the importance of your mental health should take priority over all other aspects of your life, as your mental health significantly affects how you function, how you think, and how you feel.