Why Your Mental Health Matters

Though mental health is not a new concept, discussions of why and even whether mental health is truly important have gained traction in recent years due to rising statistics and growing interest in the field of mental illness. Mental health influences your overall wellbeing and can impact your life in many ways when left untreated. If you are seeking clarity on whether good mental health matters, it is never too late to educate yourself.

Why Is Mental Health Important?

Though mental health is a topic that is often stigmatized and ignored, approximately 1 in 5 American adults struggle with depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, or other mental illnesses every day. Thousands go untreated and undiagnosed due to the belief that their mental health is unimportant.

Mental illness is not something to be ashamed of. Being aware of your overall health allows you to better care for it, recognize symptoms, and seek professional help if necessary.

What Your Mental Health Affects

Your mental health state can have a profound impact on all areas of your life, including:

Physical health

The state of your mental and physical health go hand-in-hand. When you are feeling overwhelmed with symptoms of your mental state, your body can manifest this in physical ways such as insomnia, unexplained pain, digestive problems, exhaustion, and lethargy.

Relationships

Symptoms of severe mental illnesses can impede your ability to have healthy relationships and social interactions.

Mood

As mood disorders, depression and anxiety often have an impact on your emotions and actions throughout the day. They can make you more irritable and annoyed with those around you, and you may overreact to small inconveniences.

Productivity

When struggling with mental illness, simple tasks such as getting out of bed in the morning or running errands may feel insurmountable. This impact on productivity can negatively affect both your personal and professional life.

Memory

Living with mental illness can make it difficult to recall or concentrate. You may find yourself unable to focus on anything other than worry or feelings of dread for past or future events, which can impact your memory.

Benefits of Good Mental Health

Just as the impact of mental illness can be felt in different ways, so too can you see the benefits of good mental health in various aspects of your life. Some of these benefits can include:

• Positive self-image
• Healthier relationships and habits
• Better coping mechanisms during difficult times
• Improved mood
• Increased productivity
• Higher quality of life

How to Care for Your Mental Health

• Stay active
• Get enough sleep
• Stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet
• Developing coping skills
• Maintaining a positive outlook
• Stay in contact with loved ones
• Reach out for help when you need it

Mental health awareness month is part of the movement to raise awareness of the importance of mental health. At Serenity, our team of board-licensed psychiatrists across Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada are dedicated professionals and eager to help you take back your life from serious mental illness. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.