What are Mental Health and its importance?

Mental illnesses affect 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers, and 13% of children each year. People fighting with their mental health may be in your family, live next door, teach your children, work in the next cubicle, or sit in the same church bench.

Nevertheless, only half of those afflicted receive treatment, often because of the stain attached to mental health. Untreated, mental illness can add to higher medicinal expenses, poorer performance at school and work, fewer employment opportunities, and increased risk of suicide.

Especially during this Lockdown people are being entangled in stress, anxiety, depression, etc. This has also lead to an increase in suicide rates. People must give as much importance to their mental health they give to their physical health and not look at mental illness as a stigma.

Here are a few tips to deal with your mental issues:

• Have an exercise routine

Getting enough exercise, keeping hydrated during the summer months, and eating whole grains, protein-packed fibre and green leafy vegetables are the need of the hour.

• Minimize screen time

Since we are all cooped up indoors we often turn to our phones and social media to see what our friends and loved ones are up to. While this is healthy in small doses, it can be extremely damaging if not kept in check.

• Limit alcohol and cigarette consumption

It is imperative to not use alcohol, smoking, and drugs as a way of dealing with fear, anxiety, boredom, and social isolation. It might temporarily give you a feeling of euphoria but at the same time, it can affect your nervous system and can cause serious health issues.