Never before has there been so much talk about mental health as there is today. People of all ages around the world have been increasingly affected by a series of mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression.

To give you an idea of the severity of the problem, a recent study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Johns Hopkins University in the United States showed, for example, that 1 in 7 adolescents has mental health problems.

Influence of the digital world

It is undeniable that the world has changed a lot, especially in the last two decades, contributing to this scenario. One of the most striking facts of the period, without a doubt, concerns the intensification of the presence of technology in our lives.

Experts like the American psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of the bestseller “The Anxious Generation,” claim that this mental health crisis seems to have become more prominent since 2010, precisely when smartphones were introduced into everyday life.

The covid-19 pandemic, in early 2020, exacerbated this entire situation, as it required urgent measures such as social isolation, making online “living” take the place of many things.

These current challenges require each of us to pay maximum attention to the time we spend on screens daily, as well as to the quality of the content we access. Good management of the presence of screens and social media in your life is very relevant to your mental health.

Stay alert, reflect on this topic, and talk about it with your friends and family, always influencing a careful and conscious look at the subject!

But what is mental health, after all?

To take care of the mind and emotions, the first step is to know more deeply what we are talking about.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual is able to use their own abilities, recover from routine stress, be productive, and contribute to their community.

To deal consciously with this topic, know that mental health is not something isolated, but rather has biopsychosocial characteristics, that is, it is the result of the interaction of biological factors with psychological and social factors.

Understanding mental health from this perspective helps us see that everyone has an essential role in taking care of everyone’s well-being, supporting each other, in addition to taking care of their own well-being.

How to keep mental health up to date?

Body up to date

Studies have proven that your body functioning well is a crucial foundation for your mind to function well.

Plan to nourish yourself with varied and nutrient-rich foods, sleep well so that you are revitalized upon waking, and engage in regular and vigorous physical activity.

Mind up to date

Activities that favor the connection with your life goals, values, and beliefs, that promote self-knowledge and emotional intelligence, in addition to moments of leisure and relaxation, are fundamental. Discover alternatives such as meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises, seek knowledge on how to manage emotions, and ensure leisure spaces in your schedule.

Good relationships up to date

Cultivating genuine relationships with those who do you good reduces stress, increases happiness, and provides emotional support in the face of life’s natural challenges. Include in your routine collective sports, periodic meetings with friends, and volunteer activities, for example.

If necessary, count on professional help

Specialists can help in prevention and are essential in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders such as anxiety, depression, burnout, among others. If you are in doubt about whether you need this support, seek help as soon as possible.

Your mental health is very important to your overall health!