Q: Explain "Good Mental Health."
A: It is something we all want for ourselves and those we love. Having good mental health is when you have an optimistic view of life. When faced with some of your most adverse life challenges/situations, you maintain a positive attitude. You feel "good" about yourself inside and out, regardless of your faults. You feel good about others and have a general good will toward them. You feel happiness at your core, and understand that there are stressors that can affect you, making you feel sad and depressed, but that it is temporary.
Mentally healthy people don't expect perfection from themselves or others. They understand that they can't be all things to all people, and they don't try to be. They experience a full range of emotions; sadness, anger, frustration as well as joy, love, peace and satisfaction. They know how to ask for help when they are having difficulty dealing with major traumas. They don't allow stress to defeat them emotionally and physically. They learn coping mechanisms that involve problem solving techniques and the ability to take care of self and nurture self.
Those with good mental health understand that it is normal to fall down sometimes. They don't abuse their bodies with street drugs. They limit their alcohol intake, exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, get proper amounts of rest, sleep, and fun. They involve themselves in healthy activities and weed out people with negative energy. They have at least one person that they can confide in and trust. They acknowledge their own successes - large and small. They have a spiritual base.
A: Depression is a pervasive feeling of sadness that also affects how a person functions. We all get depressed sometimes because of various life circumstances, and that is normal. However, when we aren't able to cope and problem solve to help ourselves get better , it is best to ask for help.
A: Stress is external pressure that makes a person feel tense internally. Stress is an unavoidable fact of life which can actually help stimulate very creative thinking to keep a person on his/her toes. However, too much stress can overwhelm a person, causing them to begin to get uptight and very worried. Stress can also cause depression. Stressors can come from positive things like winning the lottery, or from painful things like deaths and divorce.
Q: How can I learn relaxation?
A: This is a manner of taking time to distract or get rid of the stressful thoughts ruminating in your head. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Learning how to meditate, deep breathing exercised, reading books, watching TV, talking to people or prayer are just a few ways to relax yourself.