Exercise to limit mental health problems
ALEXANDRA – If you battle to sleep, feel down and hopeless or helpless and sometimes suicidal, you could have a mental health problem.
Velisha Thompson of the City of Johannesburg writes:
Although mental illnesses affect much of the community, the community is mostly unaware of the rights, responsibilities and self-advocacy of those who suffer.
Early diagnosis of mental illnesses ensures that lifestyles can be changed and correct medication administered.
What is mental health? It means the way we get along with other people in our communities, at work and when relaxing. A positive attitude and focusing on the good things in life help to create a good mental health status.
People who are emotionally healthy are in control of their emotions and their behaviour. They are able to handle life’s inevitable challenges, build strong relationships, and lead productive, fulfilling lives. When bad things happen, they’re able to bounce back and move on.
Good mental health is not just the absence of mental health problems. Being mentally or emotionally healthy is much more than being free of depression, anxiety, or other psychological issues.
Physical exercise plays an important role in mental health. Taking care of your body is a powerful first step towards mental and emotional health. The mind and the body are linked. When you improve your physical health, you’ll automatically experience greater mental and emotional well-being.
To improve your physical health:
Exercise to relieve stress and lift your mood. Exercise not only strengthens our heart and lungs, but also releases endorphins which energise us and lift our mood. The activities you engage in and the daily choices you make affect the way you feel physically and emotionally
- Get enough rest
- Eat healthy foods and always try to avoid fatty, fried foods
- Exercise to relieve stress and lift your mood
- Get a dose of sunlight every day
- Limit alcohol and avoid cigarettes and other drugs.
If you’ve made consistent efforts to improve your mental and emotional health and you still do not feel good, then it’s time to seek professional help.
When to seek professional help:
- Inability to sleep
- Feeling down, hopeless, or helpless most of the time
- Concentration problems that are interfering with your work or home life
- Using smoking, overeating, drugs or alcohol to cope with difficult emotions
- Negative or self-destructive thoughts or fears that you cannot control
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
