With all the hullabaloo in Philippine politics and calamities affecting our brethren in Visayas, surely us Filipinos by now have just had enough! These mentally exhausting, stressful situations are directly and indirectly affecting everyone in the country everyday, and it's about time things are done to ensure stress does NOT seriously affect the important aspects of our lives.
So what do I recommend we do?
For some people, major stressors like the sudden loss of a job or death of a loved one can take its deadly toll and lead to disastrous mental health issues. I know because I've been there, and it's indeed a constant struggle! Mental health problems can be so stealthy that one might not be aware of the problem until a co-worker or family member points it out. And because behavioral and physical symptoms vary from person to person, it can be hard to identify the real problem.
Since having a healthy body and a healthy mind is a must to achieve excellent well-being and resilience against stressful situations, below are a few suggestions on how to improve your mental health:
1. Believe. Just believe in yourself. Most mental issues usually stem from extremely low self-esteem. When you lack self-esteem, you tend to lose sight of what you really want to achieve. You become so self-conscious, you fear interacting with people. Being closed off from other people is just one engulfing sadness away from a nervous breakdown!
2. Exercise. By simply increasing your heart rate for ~30 minutes a day, your body gets to be in great shape in no time! And being part of your body, your brain better receives nutrients via better blood circulation. During exercise, your brain's pituitary glands and hypothalamus produce neurotransmitters responsible for happiness, relaxation and general well-being. Once relaxed, your body no longer feels the need to produce chemicals that increase blood sugar and suppress the immune system.
Of course, regularly playing Sudoku and crossword puzzles also help your brain retain its alertness. Be quick, be witty.
3. Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water! Better nourishment for the body means better bodily functions. If stress causes constipation or diarrhea, altering your diet may help put your body at ease. A better diet also results in a glowing and more energized body. Once your body is healthy, your mind will follow.
4. Meditate. Meditation relaxes body and mind. You get to clear your mind of clutter (which can usually drown you in panic if you are the anxious type), letting you focus on what's really important. Remember: You must always keep your eye on the prize!
5. Learn to cope. (i.e. Stop freaking out!) Therapists teach their clients essential strategies to cope with life's stressors. Normally people can just vent their frustrations through their friends and loved ones. But those who are somehow ill-equipped with the right coping strategies can turn to professional help. The key here is to relax and just take small, baby steps.
Takeaway:
Following the above recommendations does not guarantee immediate results, especially if you've been suffering from severe mental problems for an obscenely long period of time. With enough patience, inner strength and conviction, anyone can beat stress (even the blues!)
What do you think? Can you share anything you'd like to add to the list?
