Introduction
Psychological health is an essential part of a person’s general medical condition. This is due to the fact that all elements of the body are interconnected with each other and are under the constant control of the nervous system. That is why the state of a person’s psyche affects the activity of all body systems, and their state influences the mental state of a human being. It is essential to mention that a person’s mental health can be discussed in the presence of three components: the absence of mental illness, cognitive development corresponding to the norm, and a general positive condition (Scheid & Wright, 2017). A genetic program and environment connection also characterize mental health. It is complicated to determine the standard of mental health because the indicator of mental health norms is individual, and its boundaries are quite ambiguous. Therefore, it is essential to analyze information about people’s mental health and provide methods of maintaining this condition in normal conditions.
The Importance of Mental Health and Its Correlation with Physical Health
Health combines many factors, such as genetic predisposition, lifestyle, nutritional habits, and environmental interaction. In order to protect their health, people need to be in harmony with themselves and the world around them. The disease occurs when the mental and physical balance is disturbed; the violation of health affects the person’s psychological state and vice versa (Scheid & Wright, 2017). According to the World Health Organization, every fourth to the fifth inhabitant of the planet suffers from some mental disorder, and every second can obtain it in life. That is why it is unreasonable to remain silent about this problem. Frequently physical illnesses can be founded on a person’s psychological state (Scheid & Wright, 2017). It is quite common for existing diseases to be caused by psychological disturbances of one kind or another.
It is recognized that when individuals obtain adequate mental health care, they do not come forward as often to receive healthcare as the general population. There is evidence that people with undecided mental health concerns visit specialists working in general practice more than twice as frequently compared to those who obtain mental health and counseling services. Problems such as unnecessary anxiety and stress can promote certain heart defects and a reduced immune balance (Makwana, 2019). Psychological challenges also enhance the possibility of misguided behavioral decisions, as evidenced by smoking, drug abuse, and alcohol dependence.
It is vital to emphasize the intimate connection between the mentality and the physical condition of the person. The feeling of anxiety, permanent stress, and nervousness can result in a decline in health. People concerned about mental health tend to be more professionally and personally successful. Mental health is significant in representations of contact, mainly within the family (Makwana, 2019). It supports a healthy environment among loved ones, permits the proper education of kids, and provides them with the necessary care and a psychological example to imitate. Psychologically healthy individuals are more invulnerable to adverse social aspects and less inclined to the appearance of harmful addictions (Makwana, 2019). Consequently, when a person is completely devoid of depression, worries, extreme tension, and restlessness, they are capable of fully embracing and enjoying themselves.
Maintenance of Mental Health
Psychological health is a level of psychological well-being determined not only by the absence of mental illness but also by a number of socioeconomic, biological, and environmental factors. The World Health Organization has stated that there are more than 450 million people with mental illnesses on the planet (Chandra & Chand, 2018, p. 1495). In Western countries, one in seven people is either paranoid, schizophrenic, or prone to depression and alcoholism (Chandra & Chand, 2018, p. 1496). The aim of the World Health Organization is to decrease the prevalence of depressive illnesses, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, drug addiction, epilepsy, mental retardation, psychotropic substance use, and suicide. It is significant to mention that information congestion, political and economic crises in the country, and stress is precursors to sickness and contributes to the growth of disease incidence.
It is important to emphasize that psychologically healthy people are, first of all, spontaneous, creative, cheerful, and optimistic. They fully accept themselves and, in the meantime, recognize the value and uniqueness of the individuals around them (Chandra & Chand, 2018). These individuals are primarily responsible for their lives and learn lessons from adverse situations. Accordingly, their lives are meaningful, although they do not continually formulate them for themselves. Mentally healthy persons are in constant development and, indeed, contribute to the progress of others. Therefore, it is possible to assert that the key word to describe psychological health is “harmony” or “balance” (Chandra & Chand, 2018, p. 1497). It is primarily harmony between various components of the personality: emotional and intellectual, bodily and mental. Therefore, it is essential to understand the basic components of mental health and well-being to promote comprehensive evolution.
The first and most fundamental component is the acceptance of oneself as worthy of respect, which is a central feature of a person’s mental health. In addition, the ability of a person to maintain positive, warm, trusting relationships with others. Individuals with these qualities have a higher potential for love and friendship. The second component is autonomy and the capability of people to regulate their behavior from within and not to expect praise or appreciation from others (Mikkelsen et al., 2017). It is an ability that enables people not to follow collective beliefs, prejudices, and fears.
The third element can include ecological mastery, which is the opportunity for people to actively choose and create their own environment that corresponds to their psychological conditions of life. The next component has a purpose in life, that is, the certainty of having a purpose and meaning in life and activities aimed at reaching that goal (Mikkelsen et al., 2017). Obviously, self-improvement contributes to the promotion of one’s potential. That is, there should be a need to realize oneself and one’s talents. It is significant to mention that the international standard of mental health includes ten attributes indicative of people’s mental health. These are intellect, purposefulness, flexibility, logical thinking, moral qualities, social behavior, eating habits, emotionality, attitude to one’s health, and sexuality (Mikkelsen et al., 2017). To maintain mental health, it is critical to escape avarice, vindictiveness, envy, hypocrisy, pride, and morbid self-love.
It is essential to recognize that behavioral factors negatively influence mental health. These include prolonged adverse stressful situations, inability to maintain appropriate relationships with others, conflicts, insufficient rest, sedentary lifestyle, and external annoyances. Among the reasons for depressive mental disorders are economic instability, insecurity about the future, and informational overload due to the high work intensity (Mikkelsen et al., 2017). Nevertheless, the preservation of mental health is incompatible with the use of any psychoactive substances. Dependence on tobacco is the most common mental disorder, which does not relieve stress but enhances its level, contributing to the emergence of more severe mental illnesses.
However, everyone consciously or subconsciously possesses some relaxation strategy. It is critical that each person understand sooner rather than later what provides them with relief and pleasure. In order to achieve this, it is essential to examine oneself, one’s capabilities in different areas of life, and one’s behavior in various situations (Mikkelsen et al., 2017). Nonetheless, in preserving and promoting mental health, it is crucial to adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle. Especially significant is psychohygiene, which is a set of measures to observe the culture between personal relationships. That is, it is the ability to manage their emotions to alternate work and rest, creating a favorable psychological climate in the team and the family (Mikkelsen et al., 2017). Methods of maintaining mental health also include systematic physical training, reasonable nutrition, obtaining a daily regimen, and sleep.
Conclusion
Hence, mental health is a state of the intellectual and emotional sphere, the basis of which is a feeling of mental well-being, which provides an appropriate behavioral response. This state is due to both biological and social needs and opportunities to satisfy them. It is worth remembering that physical health and mental state are inseparable and interconnected. Therefore, a harmonious individual should take care not only of their mental state, intellectual development, and social status but also their general health. Accordingly, it is essential to attend to mental and consider improvements to maintain activity and clarity of mind.
References
Chandra, P. S., & Chand, P. (2018). Towards a new era for mental health. The Lancet, 392(10157), 1495-1497.
Makwana, N. (2019). Disaster and its impact on mental health: A narrative review. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 8(10), 3090.
Mikkelsen, K., Stojanovska, L., Polenakovic, M., Bosevski, M., & Apostolopoulos, V. (2017). Exercise and mental health. Maturitas, 106, 48-56.
Scheid, T. L., & Wright, E. R. (2017). A handbook for the study of mental health. Cambridge University Press.