{"id":4519,"date":"2022-10-10T07:12:20","date_gmt":"2022-10-10T06:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.alison.com\/?p=4519"},"modified":"2024-07-12T10:53:50","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T09:53:50","slug":"make-mental-health-a-priority","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/make-mental-health-a-priority","title":{"rendered":"Make Mental Health a Priority"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many years, the focus was on being physically fit and thinking about financial wellness. Little or no attention was paid to mental health. Ignoring mental health can have devastating effects on your overall wellness. The good news is that in recent years, there is more attention paid to mental health and many conversations are being had about debilitating mental illnesses and their effects. Now more than ever, it\u2019s time to make mental health a priority.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Understanding mental health<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/alison.com\/course\/understanding-mental-health-and-psychiatric-disorders?utm_source=alison-blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=blog-course-marketing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental health and illness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are general terms used to describe several psychological disorders. These include, but are not limited to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/alison.com\/course\/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-for-anxiety?utm_source=alison-blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=blog-course-marketing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anxiety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What are the benefits of having good mental health?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we are mentally strong and healthy, we enjoy a good quality of life and what it has to offer. We are more productive, feel more fulfilled, we are expectant, optimistic, creative, and open to living. We are also better equipped to cope when dark times come, and difficult situations arise.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Positive self-image<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthy relationships<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A healthy <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/alison.com\/course\/maintaining-mental-health-while-working-from-home?utm_source=alison-blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=blog-course-marketing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">work-life balance<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased learning, creativity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced risk of depression<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The past few years have been challenging for people&#8217;s mental and emotional health, to say the least. The knock-on challenges and effects of the pandemic had a significant impact on many people &#8211; and the lasting effects are still evident today. We can get so busy trying to survive the various storms that we don\u2019t take care of our mental health. But it\u2019s time to make our mental health a priority.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>8 Ways to Make Mental Health a Priority<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our mental health influences how we think, and feel, how we handle situations, and the choices we make. We need to realise that our mental health plays in our everyday life and affects every area of our lives. This stresses the need to prioritise it more than ever. Here are a few ways you can make your mental health a priority.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0<\/span><strong>Move.<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The mind and body are linked. Physical exercise releases happy hormones, endorphins, that give you energy and improve your mood. \u2018moving\u2019 doesn\u2019t necessarily mean pumping iron and lifting weights in the gym. Dance, yoga, hiking, cycling, or going for a walk every day \u2013 whatever your idea of a great time, do it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Get support.<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> We were not created to do life alone. Not everyone is fortunate to have family or friends close by or that they can confide in. However, cultivating a solid support system for yourself is key. Join support groups if you can and make friends who will be able to support you through your hard seasons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Seek help.<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Despite the stigma attached to mental health, there is no shame in asking for help when you need it. Seeking help doesn\u2019t make you weak. If anything, it\u2019s a sign of strength. &#8220;It may sound paradoxical, but strength comes from vulnerability\u201d \u2013 Barack Obama<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alison.com\/course\/diploma-in-mental-health?utm_source=alison-blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=blog-course-marketing\">Educate yourself<\/a> on mental health.<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to know what mental health is and isn\u2019t. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/alison.com\/course\/mental-health-studies-understanding-behaviour-burnout-and-depression-revised?utm_source=alison-blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=blog-course-marketing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing the signs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, symptoms, triggers, and other vital information arms you with knowledge about what you can do to begin your healing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong>Practice self-care.<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self-care is not just lying in a bubble bath with a face mask and lit candles. It\u2019s giving your body what it needs to function at its best. Become friends with your body, eat well, set goals for yourself, and limit stress. If you don&#8217;t pick a day to relax, your body will pick it for you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong>Rest.<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t be too busy to rest. Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together. Try to set and keep to a strict sleep schedule. You will wake up fresh and with the energy to tackle the day ahead.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong>Set boundaries.<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you say \u2018yes\u2019 to everything, you\u2019re also saying yes to the time, energy and effort required for that task or activity. Know your limits and the capacity you must take on more of anything. Learn how to say \u201cno\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong>Reduce screen time.<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Phones, TV, laptops. It seems we don\u2019t know how to switch off. This is not to say don\u2019t watch your favourite TV shows, or movies or see what your friends are up to on social media. These are all ways of unwinding too, but it&#8217;s important to know when to stop scrolling and spend time with people in real life.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Draw the line between real and fake. Mot everything you see on social media is real &#8211; well all know that. Be cognisant of what you consume and how it could make you doubt the beauty of your life or pressure you into thinking you\u2019re not doing as well as someone\u2019s highlight reel. What we consume can consume us.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No one is immune to the harsh realities of life. This can be our friends, family, neighbours, or even colleagues. Mental health issues have no regard for age, race, creed, or economic standing. We all experience <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/alison.com\/course\/psychology-of-everyday-life-mental-health-issues?utm_source=alison-blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=blog-course-marketing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">life\u2019s challenges<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and stressors. Although these may look different to each person and have a different effect on them, life hits us all. Anyone can suffer from mental health issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you think you need help, take our free online <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/alison.com\/psychometric-test\/wellbeing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Workplace Wellbeing Assessment<\/span><\/a> to u<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nderstand and improve your cognitive, emotional and physical wellbeing and identify your workplace stressors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alison.com\/psychometric-test\/wellbeing?utm_source=alison-blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=blog-mental-checkup\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4398 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.alison.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Wellbeing-Checkup_Blog_CTA-300x53.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"53\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Wellbeing-Checkup_Blog_CTA-300x53.png 300w, https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Wellbeing-Checkup_Blog_CTA.png 423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more you know about mental health, the more empowered you are to offer help to those around us and even yourself. Choose every day to make your mental health a priority.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For many years, the focus was on being physically fit and thinking about financial wellness. Little or no attention was paid to mental health. Ignoring mental health can have devastating effects on your overall wellness. The good news is that in recent years, there is more attention paid to mental health and many conversations are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":4520,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[236],"class_list":["post-4519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alison-in-action","tag-mental-health","match-height"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Blog_header_World_Mental_Health_Day.png","featured_category":"Alison in Action","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4519","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4519"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4519\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5973,"href":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4519\/revisions\/5973"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4520"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alison.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}