What Is Mental Health?

Mental health refers to psychological, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It involves how individuals think, feel, behave, and regulate emotions. Mental health also affects how people engage with others, react to stressors, and make decisions.

Benefits of good mental health

Mental health is important at any age and can change over time. It can be negatively impacted when the demands placed on a person exceed their resources and coping abilities. Benefits of good mental health include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ability to cope with life’s adversities
• Enjoying life
• Improving physical health
• Balancing responsibilities
• Maintaining personal and family relationships
• Performing adequately at work or school
• Functioning properly in social settings
• Participating in important activities

How to improve mental health

Poor mental health may contribute to conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. Mental health can be impacted by life events, genetics, and physical health. Improving and maintaining good mental health may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Developing and maintaining a positive attitude
• Practicing gratitude
• Engaging in a healthy lifestyle choices, such as participating in physical activities, prioritizing sleep, consuming healthy foods, and staying hydrated
• Performing relaxation activities, such as breathing exercises, meditation, and journaling
• Participating in positive social interactions
• Seeking assistance from a mental health professional when needed
• Developing tools and strategies to cope with stressors
• Managing ongoing conditions, such as anxiety or depression