In modern society, one term that is notable for becoming popularized is mental health. This is as more people, including the media, has embraced the usage of the term. As more demands get put on the people, such as excelling in their work and relationships, and taking care of themselves, people tend to compromise their mental wellness. As a result, a new mental health movement has begun in which the public is just as much concerned with mental health as they are about physical health. Yet still, there are still Stereotypes related to mental health issues, though more people have sought to improve the knowledge of the topic. Many continue to suffer because they are not able to address the issue as it really should.
Mental health refers to the state of one’s emotional, psychological and social well-being. There are the cognitive processes, the emotions and attitudes, behavioral consequent activities. Mental health problems impact many important areas of the life – be it relationships with others, professional achievements, even physical health. It is for this reason that promoting the mental aspect of development is imperative in the present, hectic world.
In this modern age, however, every coin has two sides when it comes to the use of technology. For example, sites such as Ultrawin provide users with online activity that allows them to relax and let go of the everyday tensions. On the other hand, excessive use of technology and social media will also enhance feelings of loneliness, stress and depression. It has been shown that when people are constantly bombarded with information, feel pressured to be perfect online, and are constantly comparing their lives to others, the levels of stress and mental fatigue are very high. In such times when everything is being done online, it is important to find a way in which the use of online services and the activities of the real world will not be to the detriment of an individual’s state of mind.
The increasing number of people who are experiencing challenges with emotions and behaviors can be attributed to the competitive dog eat dog environments, in particular, workplaces. People especially in this present generation are imbibed with the ‘success syndrome’ So that when people go to school, it is inferred to them that their self-worth depends on how much they achieve. This mindset can create people who are always ‘hungry’ for more and more achievement amongst others but are never satisfied with any of their successes. With this in mind, stress rates increase and the capacity to manage stress and the various triggering situations declines. In practical terms, chronic exposure to requirements that have become crucial to survival, may literally kill one’s mental stability by causing burn out, anxiety or even depression. A crucial point to remember is that rest is important, that realistic objectives should be set and that perfection should not be pursued rather contentment with achievement however small it may be.
Employers are beginning to understand more the role of mental health at the workplace and hence more and more companies are implementing wellness programs and work modalities to alleviate stress among employees. Notably, work environments are still capable of inflicting a large amount of mental fatigue. Being available at all times, meeting strict timelines and nincompoop-perfectionism creates the kind of climate that undermines one’s mental health. That is why all the employers have the need to understand that mental well-being of their employees at the places where they work is important, not only towards functioning of the employees, but also to the overall efficiency of the company. This we already know; when employees are happy and mentally healthy, they work better and are outstandingly creative.
One more factor that is highly important as far as mental health is concerned is social support. Social relations are a necessity for all members of society, therefore the constant need to engage with their family, friends, or community better prepares them emotionally for hardships they may face. On the contrary, lack of contact or bad relations may cause the individual to feel lonely or even depressed. In fact, the recent covid-19 pandemic brought to the forefront how mental illness is affected by the lack of social interaction for long periods of time. While technology enabled people to keep in touch at a distance, it could not replace in-person bonding. In these current times, the need to take care of the emotion-related investments in the social units one belongs to is of paramount importance and requires considerable energy and time.
Furthermore, mental health is one important aspect in relation to physical well-being. The body and mind are not easily understood to work independently and hence social environments affect either one or the other equally. Exercising, eating a healthy diet and sleeping enough are some of the most important processes to consider in order to foster optimal health. It has been noted that exercise is beneficial in the management of depressive and anxious symptoms, as well as the enhancement of mental and behavioral skills. At the same time, bad nutritional habits, insufficient sleep and limited physical activity are not favorable for one’s mental health. Hence, it is very important to maintain a comprehensive understanding of health; that is physical health and mental health.