What is Mental Wellbeing?

Mental wellbeing is an integral part of our overall health. Society often thinks of health as something biological and physical: the condition of our bodies, how healthy we eat, the physical exercise we do.

A key component of health is missing from this, though. It’s mental wellbeing, which encompasses our inner workings and the way we describe how we are in our lives. Some people call mental health ‘mental wellbeing’, ‘emotional health’, or ‘emotional wellbeing’.

Our mental health affects how we think and feel, and how we cope with life’s ups and downs. As we move through different stages of life and our circumstances change, our mental health can change too.

In general, mental wellness is the state of thriving in various areas of life, such as in relationships, at work, play, and more, despite ups and downs. It’s the knowledge that we are separate from our problems and the belief that we can handle those problems.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:

• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry.

• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse.

• Family history of mental health problems.

Mental health is how we respond to life’s ups and downs & includes how a person thinks, acts and handles emotion (emotional wellness). There are many traits (actually skills we can practice and develop) which are all part of mental wellbeing:

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• Self-acceptance

• Sense of self as part of something greater

• Sense of self as independent rather than dependent on others for identity or happiness

• Knowing and using our unique character strengths

• Accurate perception of reality, knowing that we can’t mind-read and that our thoughts aren’t always true

• Desire for continued growth

• Thriving in the face of adversity (emotional resilience)

• Having and pursuing interests

• Knowing and remaining true to values

• Maintaining emotionally healthy relationships

• Optimism (hope—the mindset that things can improve)

• Happiness that comes from within rather than being dependent on external conditions

• Determination

• Action (in contrast to a passive mindset and lifestyle, waiting for things to get better)

EARLY WARNING SIGNS

Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems?

Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little

• Pulling away from people and usual activities

• Having low or no energy

• Feeling numb or like nothing matters

• Having unexplained aches and pains

• Feeling helpless or hopeless

• Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual

• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared

• Yelling or fighting with family and friends

• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships

• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head

• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true

• Thinking of harming yourself or others

• Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

HOW TO HELP

About 1 in 4 people experience mental health problems each year, so most of us will know someone who has struggled with their mental health. We can all feel anxious, stressed or low at times, but it can be a problem if these feelings get worse, go on for a long time or affect our daily lives. If you know someone who is struggling to sleep or is having issues with their mental health, there are things you can do.

REACH OUT TO SUPPORT NETWORKS FOR HELP:-

• Family & Friends

• Work Colleagues

• Peer Support

• Online Communities (MIND, SAMARITANS, NHS, GP)

PRACTICE SELF-HELP TIPS:-

Meditation

Crystal Healing

Diffusing Essential Oils

Massage Oils

Exercise

Yoga

It can take time for someone's mental health to improve, and some of us may need professional help, but these are ways to help and support someone to get back to positive mental health.

"Talking about your feelings isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy. Talking can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled".

www.bellazen.co.uk

MIND info line TEL: 0300 123 3393 (UK)

Available Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm to provide information on a range of topics including:

1. Types of mental health problems

2. Where to get help

3. Medication and alternative treatments

4. Advocacy.

If you wish to learn more on how BellaZen can help with mental wellbeing please feel free to contact us;

Email: info@bellazen.co.uk