Mental Hygiene By Alvina Farooqi
MENTAL HYGIENE : When it comes to hygiene, everyone knows what to imagine and what needs to be done to maintain health. But do you know the concept of mental hygiene or psych hygiene? This is also very important.
ABOUT MENTAL HYGIENE: Mental hygiene is the science of protecting and strengthening mental health. Its task is, among other things, to improve a person’s psychological resistance to various harmful influences.
It is necessary to realize that it is not only the prevention of mental illnesses and disorders. It has been proven that stress also affects physical health. It is a condition that is a burden on the body and can contribute to the development of various diseases. These include intestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, infertility, stomach problems and much more. This is especially true of long-term stress. We can cope with short-term stress.
PRINCIPLES FOR MAINTAINING MENTAL HEALTH: What can you do in mental hygiene to support and maintain your mental health? Try to follow these guidelines:
BALANCED DIET: Eat regularly, do not overeat and make sure that your diet contains all the ingredients you need – carbohydrates, proteins, fats (in the right proportions). Do not miss resources rich in vitamins and minerals and do not forget a sufficient drinking regime.
MOVEMENT: It benefits our physical and mental health. It doesn’t have to be just a demanding physical activity. Even regular walks are a suitable form of exercise. One relaxes and is able to gain a better insight into everyday stress.
QUALITY SLEEP: Do you sleep at least 7 hours a day? Sleep is essential for the regeneration and renewal of strength. You should not be upset or eat fatty foods before going to bed.
POSITIVE MIND: “Everything goes better with a smile.” It’s not just a phrase. Try to take everything from the better side, although of course it is not always easy.
RELAXATION TECHNIQUES: If you can’t relax, try some relaxation techniques. Yoga is especially popular. You can also try autogenous training, proper breathing exercises, meditation, etc.
TIME ORGANIZATION: You can’t avoid stress, but you can minimize it by better time planning. If you know you’re having trouble with this, read about time management – a technique for effective time planning.
AVOIDING FROM HARMFUL: Some people, when they are stressed, drink more alcohol, coffee, energy drinks, etc. However, these stimulants do not actually relieve you of stress. On the contrary, their excess can undermine your mental health.
PROCESSING OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: Do you have a feeling of wrongdoing, hatred or other negative emotions towards others or yourself? Try to cope with the situation and rise above it. Sometimes it’s a long run, but it’s necessary for mental balance.
THE RIGHT APPROACH TO WORK: Today, many people are happy to have a job and yet, they do not consider if it really satisfies them or not. On the other hand, we spend a large part of our lives in it. So, we should find a way to be happy with it. Whether you have a more demanding job or not, focus on having enough time for yourself and the people you care about.
WHAT IF YOU CAN’T DO IT YOURSELF? It is no exception today that a person finds himself in a situation where his mental health is already “broken”, and even though he tries to follow all the principles of mental hygiene, he feels that he cannot do it alone. In that case, he should seek the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
It’s definitely not something that casts negative light on a person. It is the same medical care as any other. When we break a leg, we go for surgery. If we cannot get rid of negative emotions that complicate our lives excessively, we must look for a psychologist or psychiatrist.