Make it a point to take care of your mental health this year!

Mental health is important; we all know this. But why?

A person with mental health problems cannot function in life like a person who does not have it. They will find it difficult to carry out the tasks that are required of them and may be unable to do what makes them happy, such as spending time with their family, or even hobbies they are passionate about. 

The importance of mental health care

Mental health problems can be very hard on the people who suffer from them. It has been proven that those with mental health problems may resort to desperate measures to relieve themselves from suffering, such as alcohol, drugs, or worse, suicide. While these people need help, it may not be as easy to access as it should be. Although support from friends and family are a must, they need professional help to get them through their affliction, which should come from doctors and other medical professionals.

Mental health problems can be very dangerous if left untreated. It is proven that people who suffer from mental illnesses are more likely to get other illnesses, such as diabetes or obesity, because they cannot take care of themselves properly without the aid of others. 

Mental health also plays a role in whether or not someone will get ill at all; the most common condition affecting health being depression. Depression, for example, can affect a person's immune system and they will get ill more often than someone who has a healthy psychological state. If untreated, mental illnesses can worsen and it may become harder to treat them.

How to take care of your mental health 

Mental health care should be available to everyone who feels they need it. It is extremely important that you speak out if you think something isn't right. If you start talking about killing yourself or other people, call the police or a psychologist immediately. Even if there's no immediate danger, seeing a therapist can help with many issues that are affecting your mental health.

It is important to have a support system when you are suffering from any mental illness, no matter what it may be or how severe it is. This can be your friends and family, though not everyone has this luxury. It makes you feel much better when someone you know cares about your wellbeing enough to check in on you once in a while. If you do not have any friends or family to turn to, seek professional help and join legitimate organizations that can provide you with the right kind of support. It is always better for you to reach out rather than keep everything inside because it will only get worse.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline through the following hotlines: toll-free Luzon-wide landline (1553), Globe/TM (0966-351-4518 and 0917-899-8727), or Smart/Sun/TNT (0908-639-2672).

Apart from practicing self-care tips for your mental health, you need to take good care of your physical health as well. It's important to eat healthily, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. When the body feels good, it makes the mind feel good, too. 

If you are having trouble coping with everyday life, try setting up a schedule for yourself that includes:

• Eating healthy meals

• Drinking water regularly throughout the day

• Working out at least three times a week

• Getting 7-9 hours of sleep at night

If you follow this schedule, your mental health will most likely improve.

If you have been diagnosed with a mental illness, it is important to take your medication as prescribed. Even if you feel okay and your symptoms aren't that severe, taking the medication will keep your symptoms from worsening over time. If you do not take them as prescribed and skip days, weeks, or months at a time, they may become too strong for the medication to work anymore. If you are having trouble taking the medication as prescribed, try using a pillbox or set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself to take it regularly.

Adopting the necessary steps towards better mental health may be easier said than done, as medical expenses are no joke. This is where health insurance in the Philippines can help. Health insurance allows the person to get the help they need by not having to worry about the costs related to hospitalization or admission.

As a final note, be kinder to yourself, no matter who you are. Any person experience anything negative about themselves should not be swayed by their own negative thoughts. When talking to yourself or thinking about yourself, think of it as talking to your best friend. If your feelings towards yourself are not something you would tell a loved one, then you shouldn’t tell that to yourself either. After all, you should be your own best friend and you should love yourself more than you would anyone else.