Mental Health is a core component of overall health and is related to emotional well-being, learning, resilience and social and family connections. It is also a key aspect of an individual’s ability to live their life with happiness and hope, and contribute to their community.
People who are mentally healthy are able to cope with life’s stresses, work productively and enjoy their relationships, all while ensuring they have the support they need when they need it. Mental health is a crucial part of life and, just like physical well-being, it can be affected by many different factors.
Mental illness can be characterized by significant changes in a person’s thoughts, emotions and/or behaviour. These symptoms can make it hard for them to function at home, at work and in their communities. A person’s mental health can be improved through psychotherapy, medication or other treatments. Some people with a mental illness may not seek help because of the stigma, lack of knowledge about available services and/or the cost of care.
The global burden of mental illnesses — such as depression, anxiety and substance use disorders – is enormous and growing rapidly. But the resources allocated to this area of health care are insufficient and inequitably distributed, resulting in a gap in treatment that affects nearly 70% of people with these conditions.
A person’s mental health is shaped by a complex interplay of risk and protective factors. Some of these factors are at the individual level and include a person’s genes, their lifestyle choices and their environment. Others are at the societal level and can include economic downturns, disease outbreaks, humanitarian crises, forced displacement and climate change.
Some common mental health conditions are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression. Anxiety disorders can also be extremely disruptive and include specific phobias, panic attacks or generalized anxiety disorder.
People with these disorders can often feel a range of feelings including fear, sadness and guilt. They may also have trouble concentrating, sleeping or making decisions. These problems can cause distress for a person and interfere with their daily life, but they are treatable.
There are many ways to get help and support for a mental health issue. It is important to talk to friends, family and health professionals. They can provide support and advice, or refer a person to a specialist service. The first step is often to find out more information, for example from a website such as Qlife or an organisation that provides support to people living with sexuality and gender diversity (LGBTIQA+). It can also be helpful to talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling. This can be a GP, counsellor or other health professional. There are also many organisations that offer anonymous and confidential support, for example, the Samaritans. It is also important to remember that a person’s mental health can improve and deteriorate over time. This is sometimes known as a “bounce” or an “ups and down”. This is normal.
In many ways, your habits determine who you are and what you can accomplish. In fact, habits account for 95% of your behavior. Therefore, it’s important to choose healthy habits and eliminate bad ones to improve your chances for success.
There are a variety of habits that successful people practice to support their personal and professional goals. These include planning, setting priorities and goals, exercising, focusing on work, eating well, getting enough rest, and cultivating positive relationships. These habits can help you achieve your dreams and live a more fulfilling life.
Successful people have a clear understanding that they only create their lifestyle through their habits. They only implement and maintain habits that will help them become better versions of themselves. Consequently, anything that hinders their success is swiftly casted away.
The most common habit of success is having a plan. This includes writing down their daily tasks and setting goals for the week or month ahead of time. Additionally, they often review their progress at the end of each day. This helps them stay on track and keeps them motivated to keep pushing forward.
Being organized is another key characteristic of successful people. They are able to manage their schedules, projects and finances effectively. To achieve this, they use productivity apps such as Asana and Trello to track their progress, set reminders, and create checklists. They also prioritize their tasks and have a morning routine that prepares them for the day ahead.
Having a strong work ethic is essential for any career. It involves going above and beyond what is expected of you, doing your best at all times, and always striving to be the best version of yourself. This is a common trait amongst the most successful people in business, sports, and more.
Self-discipline is the key to success in all areas of your life, including health, wealth, and relationships. It’s the ability to control your emotions and focus on achieving your goals, no matter what obstacles you face. Self-discipline can be learned through daily practices, such as setting aside time for meditation and exercise or completing a gratitude journal before bed.
It’s also essential to be self-critical and not be afraid to admit when you make a mistake. If you can master the art of self-criticism, you can become more resilient and learn from your mistakes. This can help you avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.
Lastly, successful people are constantly learning. They read to stay up-to-date on their industry, learn new skills, and gain knowledge about a variety of topics. Additionally, they read for pleasure to expand their horizons and stay creative.
If you’re ready to transform your life, the first step is to identify the good habits and bad habits in your everyday routine. Then, start implementing one new habit at a time and commit to doing it regularly. Eventually, this will turn into your new normal. Just remember that it takes time to develop a new habit, so don’t give up if you don’t see immediate results.