World Health Day today focuses on
mental well-being
·
Published
By
Sarah K. Martin – Contributing writer
What does it mean to be healthy?
For some people, health means having a strong body, free of
disease. Others
may consider a creative mind to be a strong
indicator of health. Still others
may think the greatest
determinant is a happy, fulfilling life.
Whatever your definition, most people agree that “health”
has a mental
component. The World Health Organization
(WHO) defines health as “a state of
complete physical,
mental, and social well-being.”
WHO has chosen to highlight mental health for the 2017
World Health Day
– which is today.
[RELATED STORY: Buffalo lawyer brings depression out of the darkness]
The goal this
year is to assist those with depression in getting
help, and to educate others
on what it means to live with
depression.
Depression can be debilitating and impair one’s ability to
carry out
even the simplest tasks. It can affect anyone, and in
its worst form, can lead
to suicide. The good news is that
depression is preventable and treatable. Treatment
often
involves talking to someone and finding techniques to
manage stress.
At the nonprofit Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo, we
believe that
your state of mental health has strong
implications for your physical health,
and vice versa. There
are some simple things you can do to better manage your
mental health. These suggestions are not a substitute for
clinical assistance,
but they may help you feel less
overwhelmed and better able to cope with
stress.
Being physically
active is vital to maintaining strong
mental health
Did you know that walking 30 minutes each day helps to
boost your
creativity and productivity? It drives cognitive
function and helps promote the
activity of several mood-
related hormones. Exercise also has a positive
influence on
metabolism. So go ahead, talk a walk or sign up for a fun
dance
class. You’ll be doing your mind and body a favor!
A healthy diet will
give your body the nutrients it
needs to help you effectively cope with
challenges
Some mental health issues can be intensified by nutrient
deficiencies. Start
your day off right with whole grains, fruits
and vegetables, and lean proteins
for a positive mindset.
Take a moment for
yourself
Yes, we all have busy schedules to keep up with! But we’re
telling you
it’s alright to sit with a cup of tea for a few
minutes, or meditate, or just
sit outside and feel the sunshine
on your skin. Or revive an old hobby, or try
out something
new! Who knows? You have never realized that you are an
amazing
chess player or a gifted fiction writer. It’s worth
exploring your interests
and talents.
We want you to understand that you are not spoiling yourself
or mixing
up priorities by taking care of yourself. Indeed, if
you do not care for
yourself, how can you take care of
anything else?
[RELATED STORY: New program
looks to boost
]
Do just one thing today to care for yourself. Then, do it again
tomorrow!
Sometimes we need to consult an expert to manage our
mental health. This
is absolutely encouraged, and there are
many local services available. Here are
a few options:
If you feel you cannot reach out to a trained therapist, then
start by
talking to a friend. Depression can be treated, and it
starts with that small
first step.
Sarah K. Martin is environmental healt
h promotion specialist with the
Wellness Institute of Greater
Buffalo. If you are interested in the mission of
promoting
community health, contact the institute at be-active@city-
buffalo.org, or call the office at 716-851-4052.
Find the website for the WHO Mental Health Page here.
email: refresh@buffnews.com
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