Tag: mental health

WHY READING IS IMPORTANT IN TODAY’S WORLD

Amidst our daily lives filled with activities throughout our entire day from the crack of dawn to dusk, we often find ourselves multi-tasking with little to no time for our own wellness. Our constant need for checking social media instead for trying to gather more knowledge and trying to learn new things has not helped much in improving the situation at all. When was the last time you picked up a book and were actually able to finish it? Certainly we may not always have time to read books in our busy schedules. However, trying does not hurt at all. Reading is an activity that might have picked up ever since we were kinds. It is actually a privilege; being able to read and write is a privilege in itself. But sometimes we severely fail to acknowledge this.

Photo of Opened Book

Reading comes with a variety of benefits. Some of them are discussed as follows:-

#1 HELPS IMPROVE CONCENTRATION AND FOCUS

As multi-task away our days into oblivion, when we actually nothing getting done at times, it can be quite frustrating when we are just trying to do our best. We might get distracted by that twitter notification or that whatsapp message from the friend’s group planning a reunion.This results us in losing our focus and make us completely forget what we were actually doing in the first place. However, reading can really help us solve this issue at hand. A number of studies have shown that reading around 15-20 minutes a day can significantly improve your focus and concentration levels to a maximum.

Boy in Gray Jacket Reading Book

So, read a book to focus on your everyday tasks better!

#2 MAKES US EMPATHETIC

Woman in White Shirt Reading Book

Reading a book about the experiences of everyday racism tolerate by African-american people may help us understand the major problem of the world that affects these innocent souls at a massive scale. Certainly, in such cases, books may help us to become more empathetic towards the way we observe and perceive things in our life. We may become kinder and compassionate to our fellow beings, all thanks to our books.

So, make the world a better place by initiating a change and start reading!

#3 MAKES US BETTER AT COMMUNICATION

Readings book can actually make us a better communicator. This is evident through the fact that a we read books, knowing about stories, differing point of views, they offer us common ground for analysing the various side of arguments. This may help us in our everyday conversations as we are often able to understand the situations in better manner, keeping in mind not only our requirements but that of the other parties as well. This helps us communicate without any chances of misunderstandings and makes sure that the conversation is fruitful and productive.

Man Reading Book

Furthermore, reading also makes us an interesting person too. People would often prefer and like to interact with the ones that have knowledge about what they are saying and actually understand the depth of their words.

In conclusion, we can say that reading may be life-changing for the ones who try it. So,try reading to understand people and even yourself better!

Health Issues in Youngster.

Around 1 in 6 persons in the world is an adolescent: that is 1.2 billion people aged 10 to 19.

Most are healthy, but there is still significant death, illness and diseases among adolescents. Illnesses can hinder their ability to grow and develop to their full potential. Alcohol or tobacco use, lack of physical activity, unprotected sex and/or exposure to violence can jeopardize not only their current health, but often their health for years to come.

Promoting healthy practices during adolescence, and taking steps to better protect young people from health risks are critical for the prevention of health problems in adulthood, and for countries’ future health and social infrastructure.

Mental health
Depression is the top cause of illness and disability among adolescents and suicide is the third cause of death. Violence, poverty, humiliation and feeling devalued can increase the risk of developing mental health problems.

Building life skills in children and adolescents and providing them with psychosocial support in schools and other community settings can help promote good mental health. Programmes to help strengthen ties between adolescents and their families are also important. If problems arise, they should be detected and managed by competent and caring health workers.

Malnutrition and obesity
Many boys and girls in developing countries enter adolescence undernourished, making them more vulnerable to disease and early death. The number of adolescents who are overweight or obese is increasing in both low- and high-income countries.

Exercise and nutrition
Available survey data indicate that fewer than 1 in every 4 adolescents meets the recommended guidelines for physical activity – 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily.

Anaemia resulting from a lack of iron affects girls and boys, and is the third cause of years lost to death and disability. Iron and folic acid supplements help to promote health before adolescents become parents.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4216492/

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/teenage-health

https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-7-biggest-health-risks-teens-face-2611248

UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH

PROLOGUE

Emotional wellness issues range from hazardous issues like schizophrenia, bipolar to more normal issues like tension and wretchedness. There are stages to these issues. Like a man with outrageous melancholy might have his life demolished. While many individuals work ordinarily with gentle sorrow and uneasiness. While never getting a particular medicines. Tension and misery for the most part are more normal and more secure issues as individuals managing these may have inward issues. Individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar anyway can be hazardous. Not exclusively to themselves yet to others because of the psychological states that they might occupy. This might be because of dread or animosity and can have intense emotional episodes. Individuals managing such issues are thus treated by the force of their issues. Notwithstanding, they are only hypotheses as these conclusions don’t utilize analytic gear like cerebrum filters or neurological tests. They are rather analyzed by discussion by proficient therapists. It is hence simpler to recognize significant issues anyway gentle issues can regularly go undetected.

The issue with current demonstrative techniques

There is a prerequisite for more concentrated and exact testing hardware that can check mind pictures and synthetic levels. So we can decide the degree of the trouble of patients. Psychological wellness issues, for example, uneasiness are exceptionally normal and many individuals track down their own particular manners to manage them. In any case, some take some unacceptable way and enhance their issues due to one or the other withdrawal or substance misuse. These are individuals that are in danger as they drive away individuals and thusly lose all expectation. This will in general further weaken their issues. These individuals might think about self destruction and follow up on it. They accept that their life can not be improved. They try not to go to psychological well-being experts as it is viewed as untouchable to go to a clinician for despondency.  Speaking with a mental health therapist can be a helpful initial step for those reluctant to look for help face to face..

Strategies to manage psychological wellness issues

There are numerous ways recommended by analysts to manage such issues including:

Psychological social treatment:

This is a One to one conversational treatment. Individuals managing issues are urged to talk about them. They talk about the impacts in a controlled climate with a therapist. They are given ideas and assignments so they can find little ways to lessen the impacts. As an outcome individuals learn, to not turn out to be less apprehensive yet to become more valiant. This is an incredibly moving and demonstrated truth of treatment. By talking about our issues, separating them with the guide of a counsel. Individuals can understand that they are more grounded than they might suspect. In this way individuals can defeat long stretches of uneasiness and sorrow.

Self-treatment:

Self improvement is fit to individuals that are managing such issues yet not having outrageous trouble. They endeavor to control the impacts by proactive endeavors. Strategies for decrease like contemplation, actual games, looking for family support are proposed. Individuals can utilize them to feel good and figure out how to coincide with tension. By opening up to our companions and utilizing proactive strategies we can feel much improved.

Medication

This is a generally discussed strategy and is now and then quit by individuals and which is all well and good. Psychological well-being drugs are synthetics that are utilized to adjust our regular synthetic substances. They help us feel better by providing the synthetics that we have an insufficiency of. This anyway can be amazingly compelling, as it lessens our bodies’ capacity to create these synthetic compounds. Medicine ought to just be utilized in outrageous conditions. They should be endorsed by an enrolled specialist. For individuals that have gentle issues, the drug ought to be stayed away from. As the dependence on those substances will additionally prove the issues that they were intended to address

Psychological well-being is a significant issue and one significant issue is the way that it is subtle. Individuals misconstrue it and thusly it is exceptionally simple to confine individuals that are managing these issues. For individuals that we care about, we should see changes in conduct, loss of inspiration, deliberate seclusion. These are the signs that somebody might have an issue and we should speak with them certainly. On the off chance that somebody we know is managing such an issue, don’t respond in case they are all the more irascible. Rather keep quiet and assist them with feeling good. It is likewise the obligation of such people to look for help and not deteriorate their circumstance by looking for separation. They should look for arrangements and embrace a more confident position for what’s to come.

THE FINAL THOUGHT

Individuals commit suicide not on the grounds that they disdain life. Maybe they would prefer not to live as a similar individual. With similar propensities, similar issues similar responses. They disdain their life. Propensities are difficult to change, indeed, anyway it is conceivable. It requires some investment yet I will beseech anybody managing such issues to give now is the right time. Life becomes simpler, difficult stretches don’t persevere, extreme individuals do. Look for help, assuming not from individuals that you know, from online sources, comprehend you are in good company. Try not to imagine that self destruction is the lone advance. I realize you feel that by evaporating you will make the world a superior spot.

YOU ARE WRONG, your life implies something to somebody. I can guarantee you that your passing will obliterate individuals. Ones that you know as well as ones you don’t. Self destruction is a horrendous and discouraging thing for everybody that observes it. It causes individuals to lose expectation and second supposition their lives. You should be solid now, you won’t think twice about it. Individuals you realize will be the most exceedingly terrible hit. They will fault themselves for your dilemma. Your passing doesn’t make you disappear, it sticks and obliterates families. Settle on a brilliant choice. This isn’t an ideal opportunity to be self centered, however to be fearless.

How to stay mentally healthy

Good mental health is characterised by a person’s ability to fulfil a number of key functions and activities, including : the ability to learn, the ability to feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions, & the ability to form and maintain good relationships with others. Who doesn’t want to be strong mentally?

Here are some methods for good mental health :

1. Value yourself

While self-worth is more emotional, self-value is more behavioural. This is where we take the foundation of how we feel about ourselves and put it to work. Self-value is the driving vehicle that allows us to walk the walk and act in ways that align with what we value. This shows up in the way we talk to people or in steps we take to speak our truth. Both self-worth and self-value feed off of one another, but it’s helpful to point out the subtle differences. Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. Make time for your hobbies and favourite projects, or broaden your horizons. Do a daily crossword puzzle, plant a garden, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument or become fluent in another language

2. Give yourself

Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else. You’ll feel good about doing something tangible to help someone in need and it’s a great way to meet new people.

Healthy Ways to Take a Mental Break :

  • Get Outside. Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air is a great way to renew your energy
  • Be Active
  • Meditate
  • Treat Yourself
  • Drink Water
  • Make Time to Socialise

3. Take care of your body

Taking better care of our bodies means increased energy levels, and a better ability to accomplish our daily goals. It means better ability to concentrate on any given task, and that our tasks will take less time to complete. Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health. Be sure to :

  • Eat nutritious meals
  • Avoid smoking and vaping
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Exercise, which helps decrease depression and anxiety and improve moods
  • Get enough sleep. Researchers believe that lack of sleep contributes to a high rate of depression in college students. 

4. Surround yourself with good people

When you surround yourself with positive people, you’re more likely to adopt empowering beliefs and see life as happening for you instead of to you. Just as you benefit when you surround yourself with people who make you happy, you suffer when those in your business or social circles are negative or narrow-minded. People with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support network. Make plans with supportive family members and friends, or seek out activities where you can meet new people, such as a club, class or support group.

5. Quiet your mind

Try meditating, mindfulness or prayer. Relaxation exercises and prayer can improve your state of mind and outlook on life. In fact, research shows that meditation may help you feel calm and enhance the effects of therapy. Silencing the mind does not mean stopping to think at all. It means thinking when you need to think, but keeping the mind calm when you don’t need to think.

6. Learn how to deal with stress

Like it or not, stress is a part of life. Practice good coping skills: Try One-Minute Stress Strategies, exercise, take a nature walk, play with your pet or try journal writing as a stress reducer. Also, remember to smile and see the humour in life. Research shows that laughter can boost your immune system, ease pain, relax your body and reduce stress.

7. Set realistic goals

Decide what you want to achieve academically, professionally and personally, and write down the steps you need to realize your goals. Aim high, but be realistic and don’t over-schedule. You’ll enjoy a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self-worth as you progress toward your goal. Wellness Coaching can help you develop goals and stay on track.

8. Avoid alcohol and other drugs

Keep alcohol use to a minimum and avoid other drugs. Sometimes people use alcohol and other drugs to “self-medicate” but in reality, alcohol and other drugs only aggravate problems.

Some ways to avoid using alcohol :

  • Keep a diary of your drinking
  • Don’t keep alcohol in your house
  • Choose alcohol-free days
  • Watch for peer pressure
  • Set a drinking goal

9. Break up the monotony

Although our routines make us more efficient and enhance our feelings of security and safety, a little change of pace can perk up a tedious schedule. Alter your jogging route, plan a road-trip, take a walk in a different park, hang some new pictures or try a new restaurant.

5 Ways to Break the Monotony of Your Routine

  • Start your morning with something different
  • Add some new scenery to your day
  • Shake up your lunch break
  • Listen to music
  • Review your habits regularly

10. Get help when you need it

Seeking help is a sign of strength not a weakness. And it is important to remember that treatment is effective. People who get appropriate care can recover from mental illness and addiction and lead full, rewarding lives.  Asking for help allows us to surround ourselves with people who can make us feel good and facilitate further development. These people create optimism and hope that we are able to deal with challenging situations, which improves our resilience.

IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEATH

Health is important for development of the country. Heath is defined as “ a state of physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. However, a few group neglect to make reference to “mental heath” while discussing wellbeing.

Why good mental health is important for study | Charles Darwin University

Mental health has impact on:

1.Educational out come

2.Productivity at work

3.Development of Positive individual connections

4.Crime rate

5.Alcohol and illicit drug use

Mental problems additionally influence people wellbeing conduct like eating reasonably, customary exercise, sufficient rest, participating in safe sexual practices, liquor and tobacco use, holding fast to clinical treatments accordingly expanding the danger of actual sickness. Mental infirmity additionally prompts social issues like joblessness, broken families, neediness, illicit drug use and related wrongdoing.

My Take: The Importance of Mental Health in Schools | Zedua.com

Poor mental heath assumes a huge part in reduced insusceptible working. Restoratively sick patients with sorrow have more terrible result than those without. Constant sicknesses like diabetes, malignant growth, coronary illness builds the danger of discouragement

WHAT CAUSE MENTAL ILLNESS ?

Biological factors
1.Neuro transmitters
2.Genetics
3.Infections
4.Brain defects or injury

Many individuals will in general cover up in case they are confronting any psychological problem/ mental issue in light of the fact that our general public acts diverse with individuals who has any psychological issue. They simply consider that individual as a distraught individual who has a feeble mind which isn’t accurate.

Mental Illness Affects the Whole Family | Pine Rest Blog

Everybody can confront mental issues in their day to day existence. Anybody can be stressed in their life. It doesn’t imply that their mind isn’t sufficient or strong enough. They simply need some time, perhaps someone’s solid counsel, someone’s assistance.

The Importance of Mental Health Services | PhysicianOne Urgent Care

RESOURCES:

1.https://vikaspedia.in/health/mental-health/awareness-of-mental-health

2.https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health

Mental Illnesses doubled among youth : Latest Study

 Latest study by JAMA Pediatrics, a medical journal, reveals that Anxiety and Depression has doubled among the youth globally, as compared to the pre-Covid period. The analysis was published on 9th August, 2021 after collecting empirical clinical data on depression and anxiety in East Asia, Europe, North America, Middle East, Central and South America.

As per the data given in the study, one in four adolescents worldwide, have shown symptoms of depression. While one in five youth suffer from symptoms of anxiety. The data has sparked concern among the mental health experts and psychologists. “Results from this analysis suggest that the pandemic has likely instigated a global mental health crisis in Youth” said Sheri Madigan, professor of psychology at University of Calgary. 

The mental health of youngsters was already deteriorating before the pandemic. Experts said that the mental health of children and youngsters have gotten worse with the passage of time in the pandemic. Some reasons that have made the situation worse include persistent isolation, disruption in education, and financial problems in the family. The pandemic has created conditions in which the youth feels hopeless and have accumulated a negative feeling inside them.

The closure of schools and online learning from home has adversely impacted the children. Loss of interaction with the peers, lack of support from the teachers along with chronic stress and instability in daily routine are also major contributors to mental illnesses. It has led to an increase in symptoms of depression like sadness, loss of interest in activities, difficulty in sleeping, loss of appetite etc. 

An uncontrollable fear and constant worry about the health of family and friends have also affected the children and youngsters, leading to an increase in the symptoms of anxiety. According to the data, these symptoms of depression and anxiety are more prevalent in young females as compared to males. Number of females affected by mental health issues was higher than males even prior to the pandemic. 

These symptoms have affected the older children more than the younger ones. Factors like loss of interaction, along with puberty related hormonal changes have affected the elder children.  Adolescents and youngsters are the most affected age group. This can be a constraint in their personal growth as well as for the society as a whole. Mental wellbeing should be promoted among the youth before they step into adulthood. Issues related to mental health can have long lasting consequences if that persists without being properly addressed. 

Children and youngsters are finding it difficult to cope up with the disruptions in their routine in these difficult and unprecedented times of pandemic. It is important to monitor and keep a check on the mental health status of children globally with the help of data, research, and studies. The collective support from parents, teachers, researchers, medical facilities and policy makers can surely develop a better future in terms of mental health for the children and youth worldwide. 


“Life without a Father”

The title itself is horrible to even think about. ’Father’- this 6- word letter has a lot of emotions vested in it. Losing a father is something tremendous which happens to the child, no matter what the age is, losing a father breaks you in pieces” It is an indescribable experience, it permanently alters children of any age. Nothing is the same, you start a new life without your well- wisher, it is a whole transformative event for a child. Since we all know that death is inevitable, no one can stop that, but this doesn’t minimize the grief, the pain that a child experiences after losing a parent. The two main persons of our life to whom we call -“ mumma and papa” even thinking about a life without them gives goosebumps. For me, it is something from which I will never move on, I mean, how could I move on? He was the person who made me, who gave me a life, how can I forget him? Daddies & daughters have a very precious bond that nobody can ever replace. I lost him at the age of 20, where he was supposed to guide me, to cheer me up,  to enjoy my earnings, but everything went upside down. That night has taught me everything, for which I wasn’t ready at all. I didn’t even know that I could write down my feelings,  but since I lost him, writing my feelings on a piece of paper has become my go – to best friend. The realisation that I keep getting is that I will not be able to see him or hear his voice for the rest of my life, I will not ever see him or talk to him again” which always breaks me whenever I think of this, this is something dreadful. We are never really ready to lose a loved one no matter how ill they are. They had made our heart, they made us and now there is a hole where they once were and nothing can fill it in or cover it. I am the daughter who lost her father too soon, too much to process. Writing my feelings is my way of missing him, other than I can do nothing,  nobody can ease my pain or can understand through which I’m going, this is something so excruciating, that I am unable to even write. 

Father- the most powerful word connected with millions of sentiments. Nobody can ever replace those laughs, smiles, those secrets between a father and a daughter, it’s something so precious that I wish I could make a montage from my head to see those moments again and cherish them once again. I wish I could relive those moments, to see him once again, to laugh with him, to do every possible thing that I’ve missed. The man behind me is no more, and it breaks me to pieces, and I am left with zero energy to even pick those pieces to make it again. It shatters me whenever I think of those last moments of him taking his last breath beside me. I wish I could take all of his pain….I wish…..

-SUKHMANI PANESAR

Online Classes : Boon or Bane?

Coronavirus is changing the world in unprecedented ways. COVID-19 has its impact on all segments of life. It has also strongly affected whole education system. The sudden impact of corona pandemic in our country not only affects the global economy but harshly damaged our physical, social and mental well-being. The whole education system has been suddenly shifted digitally which is a huge challenge for both the students and teachers. The education system has been turned upside down. Students tend to lose their interest in online learning and it’s very challenging for the engagement of students.  

Online education has also proven to be a boon for people who were craving for some ‘me time’ amidst this hustle of life. This could be a great time to work on getting regular sleep, regular exercise, healthy nutrition, and getting regular work hours. We can finally enjoy that hobby that we never got around to. Online classes can often be more cost-effective than traditional classes and can be done at a pace the student is comfortable with.

Advantages of Online Classes

  1.  Online classes are convenient.

The biggest advantage of an online classes is that your classroom and instructor (theoretically) are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your only excuse for missing class is not getting online. Otherwise, everything is available to you. You can get announcements, access notes, review assignments, take practice quizzes, discuss questions, chat with fellow students and study any time you want. Other than certain due dates, you make your own schedule for completing the requirements of the course.

2. Online classes offer flexibility.

You can study any time you want. You can study with whomever you want. You can study wearing anything you want. Online courses give you the flexibility to spend time with work, family, friends, significant others or any other activity you like.

3. Online classes offer flexibility.

You can study any time you want. You can study with whomever you want. You can study wearing anything you want. Online courses give you the flexibility to spend time with work, family, friends, significant others or any other activity you like.

4. Online classes have financial benefits.

Although you may think that buying a computer and paying for Internet access is pretty expensive, consider what it would cost you to reach to the campus. Consider the costs of eating out versus eating at home. These are very tangible benefits of having access to education at home.

5. Online courses teach you to be self-disciplined.

Most of us put off the things we need to do until the very last moment. When it comes to education, the last moment is the worst possible moment to learn. Sometimes that lesson is learned the hard way in the form of poor performance on an exam or assignment. But ultimately, you succeed because you realize the importance of doing things on time or even ahead of time. That self-realization propels your success in an online course. No one is there looking over your shoulder to tell you to go online and study. No one is there to make you ask questions or post responses. The motivation to study in an online course comes from you. It’s something we call student-centered or active learning. The online student takes responsibility for their course of studies and matures into an individual for whom learning and accomplishment are highly valued. In short, your success depends on you.

Disadvantages of Online Classes

  1. Online classes make it easier to procrastinate.

Procrastination will chop you to bits in an online course. There is no one to tell you to get to class on time. There is no one reminding you that assignments are due or that exams are coming. It’s easy to put off reading and assignments in the online environment. Before you know it, weeks have gone by, you haven’t done any homework and its exam time.

2. Online classes require you to be responsible for your own learning.

Only you are responsible for your learning. No one can force it on you. No one can make you study. Teachers can share a little knowledge and experience, show you a few tools and hope you get it. The spark and desire to pursue your dreams must be yours. So, the real disadvantage is that you might not own up to it. You might not take responsibility for your studies and your goals. You might get way behind and never catch up.

3. Online classes require more time than on-campus classes.

Believe it or not, you will spend more time studying and completing assignments in the online environment than you will in an on-campus course. If you are sitting in a classroom, it’s likely that you’ll miss a good percentage of what the teacher says, no matter how focused you are. It’s human nature to zone out for brief periods of time. When you are reading, you will have a tendency to go back over the notes if you miss something and that takes more time. The point is that you will likely learn more in an online environment, but you will have to make a greater effort to accomplish that learning.

4. Online classes may create a sense of isolation.

In an online class, no one can hear you scream. And that causes discomfort for some online students. Studying alone with only the computer as your companion can be terrifying. There’s no whispering in the back of the room, no commanding presence at the front of the classroom pleading for everyone to listen. The online environment is a much different atmosphere that takes some getting used to.

5. Lack of communicational skill development in online students

E-Learning methods are proven to be highly effective at improving the academic knowledge of the students. However, developing the communicational skills of the students is an area often neglected during online lessons. Due to the lack of face-to-face communication between peers, students and teachers in an online setting, the students might find that they are unable to work effectively in a team setting. Neglecting the communicational skills of the students will inevitably lead to many graduates who excel in theoretical knowledge, but who fail to pass their knowledge on to others.

Art and Mental Health

 In our daily life filled with stress and tension, art can be a great source of comfort to our minds. “Creative Therapy” has the power to heal the mind and has a positive impact on mental health. Any form of art, especially drawing, painting and sculpting is considered to be a therapeutic practice. Its benefits on mental well-being can be traced from the psychological theories by Adrian Hill, Edward Adamson, and Donald Winnicott.

“Art as Healing”

Artist Edward Adamson, also known as the father of art therapy in Britain, has written the book “Art as Healing”. It highlights his findings on the positive impact of art in healing the patients suffering from mental illnesses. He worked on his idea of “art therapy” in the psychiatric hospital in Netherne and with the patients in his studio in West London. He collected the artworks produced in these sessions, which is known as the Adamson Collection. 

 According to him, art is not simply a form of occupation or art therapy to distract or absorb, but a dynamic and unique aid to the patient’s recovery. He believes that mental illness is a breakdown of personality and art is one of the expressions of a human being’s personality. The patient can achieve harmony through the art forms. 

Art is a way of expressing ideas of a personality. There are three major benefits of using art as the healing process for those suffering from mental illness. Firstly, the patient feels relief when their ideas are expressed through art. Secondly, they can externalise and examine their ideas. Thirdly, the doctor gets a permanent record of the state of mind of the patient at that moment. The patient’s subconscious mind gets displayed through the painting.  


Art for mental well-being

Involving in any form of art brings peace and joy to the mind. It acts as the “food for our soul”. Another benefit of art is that it has the capability to calm our mind. It helps us to cope up with the day-to- day stress. It can be a fun as well as productive activity to do in leisure time or to take a break from work and a busy schedule. 

Participating in any form of art gives us a sense of purpose and achievement. It helps immensely to boost self esteem. Not only does art calm the mind, but it also helps us to grow it creatively. Art improves the skills of the brain like learning, focusing, memorising, problem solving, patience and concentration. While painting, the obstacles faced are tackled by finding creative solutions. It enhances the creative thinking skills of our brain. 

As a child, most of the people are involved in some form of art, be it drawing, painting, sculpture or anything else. But gradually as we grow old we tend to leave it behind, ignoring the numerous psychological benefits and mental positivity it offers. Art is a great exercise that can strengthen,  calm and heal our mind. 


Letting Go

Romeo and Juliet is probably one of the best known pieces of fiction in the world. Two lovers separated by family differences find each other only after death makes them meet in the world beyond.

What Are the Real Origins of Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet?” | by Julia Rose Harmon | The Smartie Newsletter | Medium

Now, it is a very philosophical way of saying, but in life, sometimes, one must know how to give up. Giving up is not the part where one never tries but the part where one realizes that he or she or they are done trying – to their best. And it is not a sign of cowardice but a very healthy exercise when giving up is accompanied by letting go.

The American star Olympian Simone Biles announced her early return from the Tokyo Olympics citing mental health reasons, the most decorated Gymnast of all time was clearly being braver and more conscious of herself than the way in which many conservatives in her country tried to portray her. She knew that she could not perform if she could not keep calm and that would only make it worse for her – deep in her head. Let us not forget that she holds 32 medals combining World championships and Olympics. In the 2016 Olympics, she singlehandedly won 3 gold and 1 bronze medals and another gold medal in teams event. She, by no means lacks the resources to be the champion. But she understood her mind.

Biles smiling and waving

The process is difficult. One might argue that giving up is like admitting defeat. Admitting defeat in the face of a certain defeat is honesty! And although your mind requires some straining, it is up to you to decide to what extent can you strain the same.

Next time, when you are giving your best and after several attempts, it seems futile to continue, give it a thought. Should you or should you not continue.

Answers to your questions on mental health !

” What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” – Glenn Close

Mental health plays a supreme role in everyone’s life . It is mental health only which affects how we think , how we behave , how we feel , & how we cope up with life . It also help us determine how we cope up with stress , relate to others & make choices . It is important at every stage , from childhood to adulthood & aging . This includes our physical , psychological & social well being .

WHAT CAN AFFECT OUR MENTAL HEALTH ?

Many factors affect our mental health , some of them are , biological factors , such as genes & brain chemistry , family history & mental health problems in the family . This affects a lot , because they are present already in you , they are biological factors & outside factors have no affect hand & effect on you mental health . Sometime your very own experience in your life make you mentally ill , experiences such trauma , abuses , accidents leads to poor mental health . Not only biological factors , family history or bad experiences affect our mental health , but our way of living the life decides the how our mental health is . Our diet , food habits , physical activity also tells us our state of mental health . you can improve your mental health by meditating , doing yoga , by involving in physical activities .

What are the signs that I might have a mental health problem?

When it comes to your emotions, it can be hard to know what is normal and what is not. There are warning signs that you may have a mental health problem, including

  • A change in your eating or sleeping habits
  • Withdrawing from the people and activities you enjoy
  • Having low or no energy
  • Feeling numb or like nothing matters
  • Having unexplained aches and pains
  • Feeling helpless or hopeless
  • Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
  • Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, angry, upset, worried, or scared
  • Having severe mood swings that cause problems in your relationships
  • Having thoughts and memories that you can’t get out of your head
  • Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
  • Thinking of harming yourself or others.
  • Not being able to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

WHY IS MENTAL HEALTH IMPORTANT ?

Mental health is very important , it tells you how to behave to a particular situation , how to cope up with stress . It helps us to stay physically fit & mentally strong . By being in good mental health one can carry good relationships with everyone . It increases your work productivity , helps you to contribute a handsome amount of efforts for the community . It makes you realize your full potential & caliber with which you can outshine anywhere & everywhere.

Anxiety and movement

Anxiety is the brain’s way to inform that you are stressed. Stressed not about particularly something big and important, but maybe just about tomorrow. Sometimes it is a reaction to a past experience, sometimes it is because you are going to experience something for the first time and sometimes it is just hormonal. And the hormonal one is pretty common in adolescents. Another reason for anxiety might be that it is simply genetic. Genetic depression and anxiety have long been subject to clinical research.

Whatever the reason behind this unwanted fear and apprehension be, it is often paralysing. It takes away the brain’s capacity to deduce the right action at that point in time. And that is the most hated part about it. Because anxiety is probably one of the most natural of brain’s reactions and yet is one of the most decapacitating ones.

But the trouble is – we, as people must complete what we have to despite the anxiety we possess. And more importantly, we as people must let our mind stay healthy and hence not push that anxiety away by simply asking it to go away because we are too ‘privileged’ to have it.

So, what is the better way out? Well, perhaps, a constructive overwork on it – communication. Writing down a journal, drawing, music, watching a movie, reading a book etc. or simply speaking to someone. Communication is the better way to reduce anxiety.

Suppressing anxiety may lead to depression, over stressing and a sharp fall in productivity – maybe even some constructive thoughts might become seldom.

How to Cope With Anxiety and Depression | Everyday Health

So, as a note, accept your emotions and communicate. That is the better way through.

The Pandemic Times and Mental Health

We all have survived the phase of lockdown and seen a lot during that time. Many life lessons came on the way as the situation became severe. It has been more than a year to the onset of the pandemic in our lives and it is still affecting us. Two waves of the virus had already made life difficult and now we receive alerts for a third one. This is affecting all but more harmful for those who are mentally stuck since the onset of Covid19.

It has been a difficult time for small-scale workers who earned living by working long hours on construction sites, factories, etc. pre-pandemic and then suddenly lost their jobs during that time with no other source of income in hand. Ultimately they left the cities and rushed to their hometowns. Similar was the case of other low income groups of society. All work was shut down and their only source of livelihood was locked up. This made up for the reason of mental breakdown and poor health of the major part of population. There were no means left for interaction and enjoyment with friends and relatives. There was a feeling of loneliness, sitting idle all-day-round in the house and people were continuously praying for the betterment of the situation as soon as possible.

Due to the lockdown, many people were stuck at tourist places with no sufficient amount in hand to spend long time there. This led them to a worse off situation, living apart from family and friends. Even the middle class population was losing jobs due to scarcity of resources with the company and the legal restrictions imposed thereupon. Already there was the emerging issue of unemployment in the country and then the pandemic time brought a hike in its rate. Many had to give up a part of their salary to continue with their jobs . The factories had been shut and the production was stopped for many items of use to prevent the spread of the virus. This led to decreased supply for an increasing demand. People were eager to collect stuff for their household quickly to prevent future restrictions of availability. This was all leading to an imbalanced economy. The source of income for the government also declined. There was a significant reduction in tax collection. Public transport were also kept on hold closing almost all doors of revenue for the government due to which they could not invest much in purchases and free treatments for the public. Overall the whole country suffered loss in one or the other way.

Photo by Ryanniel Masucol on Pexels.com

The media was flourished with depressing news and each hour brought updates of how severe the situation was becoming. Souls were leaving the world on a greater rate than ever due to a widespread reach of the virus. There was presence of some destroying elements(people) as well, in the society, who openly wandered on the streets carrying the threats of the virus and risking lives of many. The spread was so strong that it could affect a person from even a short distance without being in physical contact. The solution was to keep distance in your house as well. No close contacts were advised by the doctors even within a family; which parted people from their loved ones. Those who were employed in necessary fields had to go out for work and hence many of those preferred staying away in separate places to protect their family.

It is much clear how everyone suffered from inside(mentally). Physical health was already deteriorating due to closing of gyms and fitness centres in the cities but mental health also worsened during these times. Pre-pandemic there was the stress of work with atleast holidays to relax but since pandemic the stress is more related to health and hygiene. Everytime they contacted someone or something socially, people feared. There existed a constant worry in the mind of whether they are safe or not. People started migrating to destinations they assumed to be safer but ended up increasing their as well as nation’s problems. Mental distress prevailed across the world. People pleaded for help but unfortunately there was no immediate solution/action in the hands of government. The pain and sufferings are hard to express. All prayers were directed to the end of those difficult times soon. A bad dream would have been better than this harsh reality. Surviving such times is the biggest challenge of anyone’s life. No one could digest even the thought of seeing their family in pain then how could they experience it so nearly. And what about those who were living apart from their family..

With no or minimal source of income and other personal problems, the mental illness started increasing in the world population as a whole. There was no hope left for better future and isolation triggered the effects of the pandemic on health. There was no escape to the problems. Depression and stress took over the thoughts and power of mind. Situations couldn’t be handled and there was need of psychiatrists but people didn’t react. It needs to be made normal to visit a psychiatrist in case of mental issues related to life.

SPORTS AND GAMES

SPORTS AND GAMES

 

Games play an important role in children’s health both mentally and physically. Now-a-days they are adapted to video games rather than playing games in the real world with the real environment. It helps them to be aware of themselves by boosting their brain actions along with the hormonal balances. Indoor games help them to spend time with their family and friends with increases love between them. Outdoor games help them to improve their personality level by socializing themselves.

Here are the widely played games listed below,

GAMES – There are two types of games, indoor and Outdoor games.

INDOOR GAMES

Card games, puzzle games, Nondi, Five stones, Ludo, Rummy

OUTDOOR GAMES

Cricket, Football, Basketball, Kabbadi, Tennis 

TRADITIONAL GAMES OF INDIA

Kabadi, kho-kho, kancha or lakhoti, Nondi.    


INDOOR GAMES

 CARD GAMES:

   Cards are one of the indoor games played around the world. There are totally 52 cards. Each standard deck of cards has four suites: hearts, clubs, spades, diamonds.Each suite has 13 cards 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, jack, king, queen.

PUZZLE GAMES:

  Puzzle video games make up a broad genre of video games that emphasize puzzle-solving. The types of puzzles can test many problem-solving skills, including logic, pattern recognition, sequence solving, spatial recognition, and word completion. 

Nondi or Pandi

  Paandi, also known as Pandi or Nondi, is a regional hopscotch game played in rural parts of India (such as Tamil Nadu), Sri Lanka and also in certain other countries with large numbers of immigrant Indians.

Five stones:

   The game of five stones is believed to have originated in Ancient Asia, during the Siege of Troy in 1184 BC.The game had been declining due to urbanization but it has been revived by the efforts made in the schools.

LUDO:

LUDO is a board game played by the players by throwing a Ludo, an ancient Indian game which Akbar was addicted to, is now a strategy game taught at business schools.

RUMMY:

‘RUMMY‘ comes from the word ‘rum’, which is British slang for odd, peculiar, strange or queer. RUMMY is game by grouping match of cards, based on similar sequence or similar matching.


OUTDOOR GAMES

CRICKET:

  Cricket is the popular game of India. It is the national game of England. England had won their first men’s world cup in 2019. England, Australia, India, Newzealnd is the challenging national teams for cricket.

FOOTBALL:

The United States is the country which plays football more. However England is called as the Father of football as it has more football associations. It is a team sport because it needs team spirit to win the goal by kicking the ball. The match has two teams with eleven of each team. It is governed by FIFA which takes part in every four years.

BASKETBALL:

  Basketball is played between two teams of five players each. Basketball is a sport of the country Lithuania. It is second most popular sport in India. The teams only have limited time to win the opponent. The offense only has five seconds bouncing the ball as per the rules.

TENNIS:

   Tennis also called as the racket sport, is either played individually with the opponent or with the double players. It is played by millions of players worldwide and is called as the spectacular sport. 

TRADITIONAL GAMES

The traditional games represent the culture which we would have played during our childhood. One of the best known games without any kind of equipment is Kabadi, which is purely based on accurate planning and some kind of strategies. While playing they give a sound kabadi kabadi and play by touching the opposite team. Next widely played game is Kho-Kho which is played in the schools. Kancha or Goli or Lakhoti is also played by children by shooting the marbles by the middle finger. Nondi or Ladder grid is also widely played game. Several other games include Gilli, lotto, Chupur are played traditionally in India.

  

HOW TO FACE CHALLENGES WITHOUT STRESS?

 

  RESILENCE  

                      (IKIGAI REVIEW)


HOW TO FACE LIFE’S CHALLENGES WITHOUT LETTING STRESS AND WORRY YOUR AGE?




The thing Ikigai says is to pursue your passion – how hard the life goes with hurdles. No matter of giving up. Resilience is the concept which has become influential among psychologists. It is the ability to setback, things without urgency, to pick ourselves and giving meaning to our lives. 

Some people know how to adapt, stay focused on certain objectives, concentrate on things they can’t control and they are called as the resilient people. At some point of life, we all need to face the hurdles, we can’t escape the situations, so proper training for mind and body is to be given. Resilience is essential to confront life’s ups and downs. 

FALL SEVEN TIMES, RISE EIGHT.


EMOTIONAL RESILENCE THROUGH BUDDHISM AND STOICISM

The goal is to control our emotions, pleasures and desires. Though the both of the philosophies are different, both aims is to get rid of ego and control negative emotions. Our pleasures and desires are not the problem, we can enjoy and control them as they don’t take control of us. Controlling emotions have been always watchful who are trying to control themselves.

Imagining negative things and not worrying about them. As a result, you will come to the mindset of what the worst thing would happen?


MEDITATING FOR HEALTHIER EMOTIONS 

Another central theme of Stoicism is Imagining and knowing what we can control and what we can’t? Through serenity prayer.

Most commonly used mantras in Buddhism for controlling negative emotions is OM MANI PADME HUM in which OM represents ego purification, MA purifies jealously, NI purifies passion and desire, PAD purifies bias, ME purifies greed and HUM is the wisdom that purifies hatred.


CONCLUSION

Both Buddhism and Stoicism convey the message that there is nothing about worrying, but we can control  our emotions. Go through and just appreciate things because it is just NOW. The temporary things which are the impermanent ones. Keep your mind the best one to see the flow.