Short Story: The Truth About MENTAL HEALTH

 A person's mental health is determined by his or her state of mind and how it functions. This is the definition taught in schools. However, can we define mental health in this manner? Not at all. It refers to how a person deals with his or her psychological and emotional well-being; how they cope with society and the ordinary stress of everyday life. Many of us ignore our mental health, yet mental health is far more significant than our physical health in the long run.

Let's start by talking about our mental health. Below are a few questions to get you started:

• How do you feel right now? (physically, emotionally, spiritually)
• Describe a moment when you felt completely peaceful.
• Write a list of positive/reassuring things you want to remember during difficult times.
• Write the things that are making you anxious and rate them 1-10, explain the rating and what would lower it.
• How do you pursue happiness in daily life?
• Make a list of non-physical things you like about yourself and explain
• List 3 things you’d like to accomplish in a month, even small things.
• What was the last positive habit you’ve introduced into your life? How has it impacted you?
• Write a thank-you note to yourself.
• What motivates you? When do you feel most motivated?
• What is one lesson you’ve learned in the last month?
• List 5 things you wish people knew about you.
• How do you know when you’re in a funk and what do you usually do about it?
• Write a letter to somebody in your support system.
• What’s something you should forgive yourself for but haven’t yet?

In March 2018, a survey of 1,000 Generation Z individuals reported that nearly a third of them had quit using social media platforms for good because 41 per cent of them said it made them feel anxious, depressed, or sad. Despite this problem, we have many other lifestyle problems that negatively affect our mental health. The most notable is sleep deprivation.

Have you ever woken up feeling groggy sometimes? Whether you wake up on the wrong side of the bed may have less to do with how much sleep you got and more to do with where you are in your sleep cycle when you wake up. The human body goes through multiple cycles while asleep, and waking up during the wrong one may leave you drowsy.

Sleep consists of four stages, which include rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (non-REM). The first three stages of sleep are non-REM, while the fourth stage is REM sleep. You will pass through each stage of sleep during a cycle, starting with Stage 1 of non-REM slumber and ending with REM. Thus, to complete a cycle, you must complete all four stages. REM sleep is followed by another cycle, repeating this pattern throughout the night. Each cycle lasts between 90 and 110 minutes.

There are things you can do to promote better sleep if you feel your sleep is subpar. 

• First, keep a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, including weekends
• In addition to that, you can use the calculator to determine your ideal schedule and then follow that. 
• The second thing you should do is avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, all of which can disrupt your sleep. 
• Also, having a full stomach or being hungry before bed can interfere with your sleep.
• Don't nap for more than 30 minutes or too late in the day. 
• Getting some exercise can also help you sleep better, so if you need to reenergize during the afternoon, consider going for a run or walk.
• Cool, dark, and quiet conditions are conducive to quality sleep in the bedroom. 
• The last step to calming yourself before bed is to establish a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading a book or drinking a cup of hot tea.

• Researchers have found that well-being is associated with the following factors 1, 8:
  
• Perceptions of health.
• Healthy life expectancy.
• Adopting healthy behaviours.
• Physical and mental illness.
• Social connections.
• Professionalism.
• The physical and social environment.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this article. Hope you learned something practical today that you can apply to your life.

Let me sign off

Harsh