Mental health is often treated with much less urgency than physical health. Recent studies show that almost 1/5 of those struggling with their mental health delayed seeing any mental health professional [Source: Australian Government Productivity Commission].
Our mental health can influence everything in our lives, from relationships to productivity. Mental health deserves to be prioritised at the same level as physical health, though it frequently isn't.
At iTrain Australia we believe everyone has a right to a happy, healthy life. In this article we will discuss why it's important to put your mental health first and how to do so.
Your mental health is so important, though a lot of people will overlook it and attempt to push through any struggles.
Having poor mental health can affect your thoughts, physical health, relationships and more. For example, if you're struggling with social anxiety it may begin to impact the amount you interact with your friends and family. Leading to a growing cycle that could get worse.
Avoidance is a common strategy for people living with anxiety but the outcome only increases the anxiety. There are many ways in which someone may “avoid” anxiety such as substance use. Evidence tells us that when someone manages their mental health using a coping strategy like drugs and alcohol, the problem usually gets worse.
This is why it's so important to prioritise your mental wellbeing. Like physical health, when your mental wellbeing is left untreated it can spiral into something more damaging. Putting your mental health first means prioritising a happy life, which is the goal for everyone!
Prioritising your mental health can also have a positive impact on your community and those around you. Including in your self care some altruistic or volunteer work can have the dual outcome of giving to your community and increasing hopefulness and purpose. At iTrain we put an emphasis on giving, including regular plasma donations. Filling out a health check before the donation reminds us that we are grateful for our health and able to give as many are not. Spending an hour or so every fortnight is a mindful way of giving to others.
Unfortunately, mental health struggles have been stigmatised for many years. By setting a leading example for your community you can help to increase open conversations about mental health, consequently improving the mental wellbeing of those around you.
Here are some more reasons why mental health should be a priority.
It might go without saying but good mental health leads to a better quality of life. When you're struggling mentally it can be difficult to see the great things around you and really enjoy life.
When we work to improve our mental health we open opportunities for resilience and positive life experiences. We have the ability to find happiness in the everyday, grow relationships and be more optimistic about life!
A less obvious reason to prioritise your mental health is the effects it has on your physical health. Your mind is at the centre of your existence, without positive thoughts it's incredibly difficult to focus on your physical health.
A positive outlook on life means you're much more likely to prioritise exercise and healthy eating. When struggling, it's all too easy to stay isolated and eat junk food or very little amounts. By putting your mental health first you improve your motivation. In turn, improving your physicality as well.
Stigma around mental health, while decreasing, is still too prevalent in our society. Shown by the statistic cited earlier, many people will simply ignore mental health struggles. This can be for a variety of reasons, such as not wanting to be judged or seen as weak by people around them.
Men are much less likely to seek help for their mental health, likely due to stigma [Source: Beyond Blue]. By having open conversations and prioritising mental health, you in turn encourage others to do so as well.
It's important to prioritise your mental health, not only for your wellbeing, but for the wellbeing of others around you. Though it might seem like a daunting task, when you open up others in the community will follow!
Mental health first aid courses work to decrease this stigma and teach you how to help somebody who is experiencing a mental health crisis. Education is a great way to reduce the stigma around mental health, and improve your own.
Now you know why it's so important to put your mental health first, but how do you do it?
Prioritising mental health doesn't have to be difficult. Following these steps can benefit your wellbeing and make noticeable differences to your health.
Sleep is so important! It can affect both our physical and mental health. Yet it's often the first thing we ignore when we get too busy with life.
Tiredness leads to exhaustion which can eventually cause mental health struggles. By resting regularly you ensure that you are always ready for each day ahead.
It's recommended that you get at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night, ideally with a regular routine. Sleep hygiene can include turning off devices at least 30 minutes before sleep (see Sleep Hygiene Checklist from Harvard Stress and Development Lab).
Like rest, fuelling our bodies through food is another way to prioritise our mental health.
Our physical and mental health is very closely linked, so by eating right you will notice a positive impact on your mental well being.
Though easier said than done for certain mental health disorders, eating balanced meals can lead to a happier and healthier lifestyle.
When life gets busy we often don't prioritise things we enjoy. This can be very damaging to our mental health. One of the major signs of depression is not enjoying the things we used to enjoy. The temptation as we get stressed, busy or unwell in our mental health is to cut things out of our lives and reversing this can have good outcomes.
While a healthy work/ life balance can be difficult, making time for things you enjoy doing gives you motivation and a happier lifestyle. Do what you used to enjoy doing but you’ve stopped lately. Whether it's walking your dog, yoga, going to the gym, playing video games or playing a long-neglected musical instrument, making time for these activities has a great impact on mental health.
Social media has a way of encouraging unrealistic goals which manage to sneak their way into our thought patterns. When comparing your life to those online it's not difficult to feel unaccomplished, leading to negative wellbeing. I don’t think I’ve ever stood up after catching up on my social media accounts and thought “Oh, that feels better”.
As the saying goes, comparison is often the thief of joy.
Having realistic goals that are achievable can help boost morale. These goals shouldn't be extravagant and can be as simple as making the bed each morning!
Finally, reach out for help if you need it.
Whether it's from a colleague, family member or professional, you should never be ashamed to discuss your mental health. This is the best way to make sure that you are putting your mental health first. Having a short list of people who form our “village” is an important support in our mental health. This can include professional help including helplines (calls or text) like:
Lifeline https://www.lifeline.org.au (13 11 14),
eHeadspace https://headspace.org.au/online-and-phone-support/
Mensline 1300 78 99 78 https://mensline.org.au/
SANE forums https://www.sane.org/
If we all were to reach out for help when we needed it we'd be a lot less likely to struggle for long periods of time.
Nobody deserves to suffer alone. Mental health conversations are so important in our community to make sure that everyone can live happily and healthily.
By being open about your mental health you may encourage others to do the same. This helps build a community of support, leading to a brighter future for the next generations. Gone are the days of a stiff upper lip, it's now more important than ever to be supportive and open in mental health conversations.
When you prioritise your mental health you are in a better position to support others who are struggling. Mental health first aid courses (MHFA) offer insight into how you can help people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
It's important to prioritise your mental health for your own quality of life and to reduce the stigma around these conversations. We all have a part to play ensuring our communities are happy and thriving, meanwhile supporting people who need it.
If you want to become more involved in supporting those with mental health struggles, consider partaking in MHFA or ASIST courses.
Check out our range of online courses available now, or feel free to contact Matt directly to arrange one-to-one counselling or discuss customised training options.
