Mental Wellness

30 Aug 2023
Mental Wellness

What is mental wellness?
Mental wellness is a positive state of mental health. It is more than the absence of mental illness. Discover what being mentally well means, and how it can help you lead a fulfilling life. Mental wellness means you are able to adequately cope with the stresses life throws at you, whether that be as simple as a work project or as complicated as a breakup. It’s the balance between your emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental self.

How to improve mental wellness?
If you have one or more of these symptoms may be an early warning sign of a greater problem, such as:

  1. Eating or sleeping too much or too little
  2. Pulling away from people and usual activities
  3. Having low or no energy
  4. Feeling numb or like nothing matters
  5. Having unexplained aches and pains
  6. Feeling helpless or hopeless
  7. Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
  8. Feeling unusually on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
  9. Yelling or fighting with family and friends
  10. Experiencing severe mood swings
  11. Thinking of harming yourself or others
  12. Inability to perform daily tasks

And if you or a loved one experience one or more of these symptoms, it may be time to shift your focus to improving your mental wellness. Improving mental wellness can look different for every individual, but there are some guidelines to follow if you want to work on improving mental wellness, include:

  1. Allowing yourself to seek professional help if you need it
  2. Staying in contact with friends, family, and your community
  3. Finding ways to keep a positive outlook
  4. Incorporating physical exercise into your routine
  5. Volunteering or helping others
  6. Developing coping skills that are right for you

Mentally well people are positive, self-assured and happy. They are in control of their thoughts, emotions and behaviour. This enables them to handle challenges, build strong relationships and enjoy life. Achieving good mental health will enable you to: (a) Realise your own abilities, (b) Cope with the stress and challenges of life, (c) Engage in productive work, (d) Contribute to your community.

Sustaining mental health requires time and effort. The more you invest in your mental health, the stronger it will become.

Referensi:
Joseph. 2021. What is Mental Wellness & How to Improve It. Accessed on 15 August 2023. https://www.voasw.org/blog/what-is-mental-wellness-how-to-improve-it/
Nn. 2023. What is Mental Wellness. Accessed on 15 August 2023.  https://www.samhealth.org.sg/understanding-mental-health/what-is-mental-wellness/

Writer: Ira Setyawati, S.Psi., M.A.