A specialist from the Republican Center for Health Promotion and Mass Communication, Aigerim Beermanova, emphasizes that mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being. She highlights that taking care of one's mental state is just as necessary as caring for physical health.
When it comes to health, many of us first think about physical conditions: blood pressure, tests, nutrition, and activity. We visit a doctor when we feel pain, take medications, and try to treat our bodies. However, we sometimes forget that our overall well-being also depends on our mental state.
Mental health cannot be viewed as a separate or insignificant aspect. It is an essential part of overall health, without which it is impossible to lead a fulfilling and quality life.
Definition of Mental Health
It is a state of psychological well-being that allows a person to cope with difficulties, recognize and express their emotions, establish relationships with others, work, learn, and enjoy life.
It is important to remember that mental health does not imply constant calmness or happiness. Experiencing stress, sadness, or anger is normal. These feelings are a natural response to life circumstances. The key is the ability to cope with them and recover.
The Connection Between Mental and Physical Health
Our body functions as a unified system, so mental and physical health are interconnected and influence each other.
Prolonged stress or suppressed emotions can lead to physical problems such as sleep disturbances, headaches, or cardiovascular disorders. Conversely, chronic illnesses and physical pain can negatively affect emotional well-being, causing fatigue, irritability, and anxiety.
By ignoring our mental state and focusing only on the body, we cannot fully restore our health.
Why it is Important to Discuss Mental Health Now
Modern life imposes high demands: constant rush, information overload, and instability increase stress levels.
Many people get used to living in a state of constant stress, considering fatigue to be normal. Phrases like "Everyone is like that," "Just endure," "There's no time to think about yourself" are often heard. However, this attitude leads to emotional burnout and deterioration of overall health.
Discussing mental health helps us notice signals from our bodies and take care of ourselves.
Signs of Mental Distress
Sometimes it is difficult to immediately understand that mental health needs support. Pay attention to the following symptoms:
• constant fatigue;
• sleep problems;
• anxiety without apparent reasons;
• loss of interest in favorite activities;
• difficulty concentrating;
• sudden mood swings.
These signs should not be perceived as weakness. They are signals that the body needs help.
Caring for Mental Health is Self-Care
Caring for mental health begins with being attentive to one's needs. It is important to maintain a sleep and rest schedule, find time for recovery, support physical activity, limit information overload, and communicate with loved ones while allowing oneself to rest without guilt.
Even small but regular steps can help maintain mental balance.
Why Seek Help
Seeking help from a psychologist or psychotherapist is a responsible step regarding one's health, similar to visiting a doctor for physical ailments.
Specialists help to understand feelings and find ways to cope with stress. Early support facilitates the recovery of mental well-being.
Conclusion
Mental health is an important element of a person's overall health. By taking care of our inner state, we strengthen both our mind and body, improving the quality of life and relationships with others. Caring for mental health is an investment in one's future.
