What Is Mental Health?

According to "Uk Mental Health Source'' Mental health includes: our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

A state of mental wellbeing of a person with an ability to cope with stress or not. Undoubtedly,

Over the course of your life journey if you experience mental health problems it will be established that your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including: Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry, Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, Family history of mental health problems

Early Warning Signs

Eating or sleeping too much or too little (Bulimia nervosa, SRED), pulling away from people and usual activities, 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, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared, Yelling or fighting with family and friends, Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships, Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head, Hearing voices or believing things that are not true, Thinking of harming yourself or others, Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

Mental wellness simply means in my own definition taking the necessary steps to ensure you're living healthy and these steps can be spiritually, medically and physically or ability to achieve an optimal functional state of the body system of a person.

But let's understand that man is TRIPARTITE BEING he is made of 3 important PARTS which includes: spirit, soul and body and of utmost importance all these various compartments need care without an exception from another. Perhaps, for us to achieve mental wellness there must be a synergy between these 3 compartments. Anyone of this that suffers breakdown will definitely affect the overall mental stability of our system.

Depression and mental illness are real, it might be medical or spiritually inclined but the fundamental truth remains that everything about spiritual mental illness has its' genesis and exodus from our mind; "our mind is a fertile ground where seeds both (good or bad) are sown, it's the seat of power of man, it's the trigger point of actions and inactions" our inability to befriend our mind will always result in mind diarrhea (influx or invading of uncontrollable thoughts), a prodigal mind can't experience a healthy mental wellness.

Friends, I want from the scriptural point of view to establish a few factors that cause spiritual and mental decline against our mental wellness.

WHEN VISION AND ASPIRATIONS LACKS SUPPORT:

Eccl.9.15 - Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.

TALENTED but your voice isn't heard, BIRTHED with great visions but no support; all these causes mental breakdown and disorder physically, spiritually and mentally.

DEFERRED EXPECTATIONS:

Prov.13.12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Always prepare for success and failure in any adventure. This is one of the secrets of great men, this helps them to deal with depression, 50/50 rule is important. However, when a business deal closes successfully, career plans succeed, kids are doing well, etc. it imparts positively on our mental wellness or wellbeing but when it's on a negative, it breeds depression. Understand only our CREATOR is perfect and that can be proven by HIS Creation, MAN will always be prone to errors and mistakes so always balance your expectations in all your endeavors.

LACK OF JOY:

Prov.17.22 - A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

JOY deflates pressure and gives pleasure.

Of course, laughter won’t treat ongoing health issues. But it can help relieve feelings of anxiety or stress, and improve a low mood by boosting dopamine and endorphin levels.

According to a small 2017 study; Trusted Source showed that looking at 12 young men, social laughter triggered endorphin release.

So, share that funny video, dust off your joke book, or watch a comedy special with a friend or partner.

Bonding over something hilarious with a loved one might even trigger oxytocin release.

HAPPY HORMONES OR MOOD BOOSTERS

Hormones are chemicals produced by different glands across your body. They travel through the bloodstream, acting as messengers and playing a part in many bodily processes. One of these important functions? Certain hormones are known to help promote positive feelings, including happiness and pleasure; these “happy hormones” include:

● Dopamine: Known as the “feel-good” hormone, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that’s an important part of your brain’s reward system. It’s associated with pleasurable sensations, along with learning, memory, and more.

● Serotonin: This hormone and neurotransmitter helps regulate your mood as well as your sleep, appetite, digestion, learning ability, and memory.

● Oxytocin: Often called the “love hormone,” oxytocin is essential for childbirth, breastfeeding, and strong parent-child bonding. It can also help promote trust, empathy, and bonding in relationships. Levels generally increase with physical affection.

● Endorphins: These hormones are your body’s natural pain reliever, which your body produces in response to stress or discomfort. Levels may also increase when you engage in reward-producing activities such as eating, working out, or having sex.

WAY TO PRODUCE MORE OF THE NATURAL MOOD BOOSTERS.

● Looking to boost your serotonin level? Spending time outdoors, in sunlight, is a great way to do this. According to research, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can increase the production of serotonin.

● But exercise doesn’t just work on endorphins. Regular physical activity can also increase your dopamine and serotonin levels, making it a great option to boost your happy hormones

● Cooking and enjoying a favorite meal with a loved one: The enjoyment you get from eating something delicious can trigger the release of dopamine along with endorphins. Sharing the meal with someone you love, and bonding over meal preparation, can boost oxytocin levels. Certain foods can also have an impact on hormone levels, so note the following when meal planning for a happy hormone boost: spicy foods may trigger endorphin release yogurt, beans, eggs, meats with low-fat content, and almonds are just a few foods linked to dopamine release foods high in tryptophan have been linked to increased serotonin levels, foods containing probiotics, such as yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut, can influence the release of hormones.

● Listen to music (or make some): Music can give more than one of your happy hormones a boost. Listening to instrumental music, especially music that gives you chills, can increase dopamine production in your brain. You may also experience an endorphin release while performing music, especially in a large group. For example, a 2016 study Trusted Source found that choir members experienced increased endorphin release during rehearsals.

● Meditate: If you’re familiar with meditation, you might already know of its many wellness benefits from improving sleep to reducing stress.

● Plan a romantic evening: Oxytocin’s reputation as the “love hormone” is well earned. Simply being attracted to someone can lead to the production of oxytocin. But physical affection, including kissing, cuddling, or having sex, also contributes to oxytocin production. Just spending time with someone you care about can also help boost oxytocin production. This can help increase closeness and positive relationship feelings, making you feel happy, blissful, or even euphoric. If you really want to feel those happy hormones, note that dancing and sex both lead to endorphin release, while orgasm triggers dopamine release, you can also share a glass of wine with your partner for an added endorphin boost.

● Pet your dog: If you have a dog, giving your furry friend some affection is a great way to boost oxytocin levels for you and your dog. According to research "Trusted Source", dog owners as well as their dogs see an increase in oxytocin when interacting. Even if you don’t own a dog, you might also experience an oxytocin boost when you see a dog you know and like. If you’re a dog lover, this might happen when you get a chance to pet any dog at all.

● Get a good night’s sleep: Not getting enough quality sleep can affect your health in multiple ways. For one, it can contribute to an imbalance of hormones, particularly dopamine, in your body. This can have a negative impact on your mood as well as your physical health, setting aside 7 to 9 hours each night for sleep can help restore the balance of hormones in your body, which will likely help you feel better. If you find it difficult to get a good night’s sleep, try: going to bed and getting up around the same time every day, creating a quiet, restful sleeping environment (try reducing light, noise, and screens) decreasing caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon and evening

● Manage stress: It’s normal to experience some stress from time to time. But living with regular stress or dealing with highly stressful life events can cause drops in dopamine and serotonin production. This can negatively affect your health and mood, making it harder to deal with stress. If you’re under a lot of stress, the American Psychological Association recommends: Taking a brief break from the source of stress, laughter, taking 20 minutes for a walk, run, bike ride, or other -physical activity, meditation, social interaction, any of these approaches may help relieve your stress while also boosting your levels of serotonin, dopamine, and even endorphins.

● Get a massage: If you enjoy a massage, here’s one more reason to get one: massage can boost all four of your happy hormones. According to studies, massage boosts endorphins. Older research found that massage also increases serotonin and dopamine. You can get these benefits from a massage by a licensed massage therapist, but you can also get a massage from a partner for some extra oxytocin.

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN FUTURE:

which stems from our inability to find our purpose of existence and living; perhaps this can cause anxiety disorder, depression and inferiority complex and low self-esteem but the scriptures gives hope which helps us to curb fear of the unknown - Jer 29:11, Jere 1:5, Prob 25:2

UNDERSTAND YOU'RE NOT DEFINED BY YOUR UNHEALTHY THOUGHTS:

Prov.4.23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

John.8.44 - You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

The basic principle of spiritual warfare against man is LIES from the devil which he feeds us through our minds. Which implies spiritual mental illness starts with LIES from the devil so always debunk his lies with the scriptures as Jesus did during his wilderness experience.

UNHEALTHY COMPETITION:

Peer group pressure, social media pressure (behind social media are many unseen battles, shaft waters, untold stories, lies and deceit, family pressure) it's paramount to understand there's no competition in destiny, life happens to everyone at his own time and season, billions of stars in our galaxy system all shine independently with no pressure and competition from another.

Having established the above facts about mental health let's see the essence of mental health, spiritually and physically

● Spiritually when you take care of your spirit man through any form of mediation or (prayers) you will experience deeper connection, clarity of purpose, and strengthened relationship with your CREATOR it will help you appreciate life more from a meaningful perspective. PRAYERS &MEDITATION ARE SPIRITUAL PLUG THAT REMOVES SPIRITUAL CLOGS AND MIST, It helps to clear our CHAKRA (Energy center of the body), when we engage in spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, or simply taking a break, we open ourselves up to new insights and perspectives about life. As a result, we may come to see the world in a different light, and our spiritual understanding can deepen with improved perspective.

● Peace of mind is a great asset to our spiritual wellness. We can find a sense of calmness and relaxation that helps us manage stress and anxiety better when we connect with God

● Positive Image-Confidence, successful career, execution of projects and plans, among those living up to their dreams in life seems to have a balanced mental wellness to some extent than those who don't.

● Healthier relationship and family- Impacts on our families and relationship on the area of support and care, most of the family crisis stems from cognitive decline on mental wellness

HOW TO MAINTAIN MENTAL WELLNESS

Taking up regular exercise, Prioritizing rest and sleep on a daily basis, Trying meditation, then praying always, Learning coping skills for life challenges, keeping in touch with loved ones, maintaining a positive outlook on life

Quote

Mental illness is not something that should be hidden away and never spoken about.

There is truth in your pain, there is growth in your pain, but only if it’s first brought out into the open.” — Steven Aitchison,

There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” — John Green