In a hustle-and-bustle world, sometimes we forget the importance of rest and mental health. During the new year, we draw plans, vision boards and list down those goals, but it’s quite hard for us to include rest and put our mental health as a priority but I want to remind you that mental health is as important as physical health.
On 27th January I joined the E summit conversation about Rest & mental health, surprisingly most people think rest is just about taking a nap or spend hours sleeping but no rest and mental health are intimately connected, our minds need different types of rest to be able to function properly and also perform our daily activities without hindrances.
What Is Rest?
Dwelling in peace and calmness, rest also means to temporarily detach from pressure and demands and take time to relax and recover. Rest and sleep are entirely different things though it’s still a form of physical rest. There are seven types of rest as mentioned below;
Physical rest can be either active (activities that are restorative e.g meditation) or passive (sleeping and napping)
Mental rest are focused on calming your mind, they help you slow down these include activities like Journaling
Emotional rest is about feeling confident and comfortable to express yourself freely.
Creative rest reawakens the wonder inside
us whether it’s taking a moment to appreciate nature or turning a workspace into
a Creative environment, Creative rest is important for solving problems.
Build positive relationships with others and focus and focus on engaging with people who provide you with a deep sense of connectedness.
Connect to a deeper meaning, it involves
engaging in something greater than yourself. Engage in activities that provide
you with a sense of importance.
Background noise, bright lights and computer screens can cause Sensory overload. Switching off or closing your eyes can help prevent from over stimulation.
You’re a better problem solver and are better able to cope with stress when you’re well rested.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and emotional well-being. It affects how we think, feel or act it also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Signs of mental health issues
- Feeling anxious
- Emotional outbursts
- Feeling depressed or unhappy
- Sleep problems
- Loss of appetite and weight
- Being more quiet or withdrawn than usual
- Substance abuse
- Feeling guilty or worthless
- Not doing the things you used to enjoy doing
- Difficulties with getting out of bed
The good news is there are ways to help us maintain healthy minds and also recover from our mental health issues;
For recovery and maintenance
- Journaling
- Stress management
- Healthy eating
- Physical exercises
- Ability to manage and regulate emotions
- Be active
- Do something you enjoy
- Talk to someone
- Spend time in nature
- Set goals
- Pray
- Social connections
- Learn to establish boundaries
- Seek professional help
I know this sounds cliché but anything that costs you your peace or mental health is extremely expensive so at all costs protect your peace, it’s OK not to be OK, Say no to anything you’re not comfortable with, learn to say no, know your triggers, get enough rest, and fall in love with yourself before inviting other people into your life.
As we chase those goals I pray that we get to understand that a healthy mind is wealth so before we get lost in the hustle and bustle of this world let’s take care of our minds prioritize our mental health. The individual’s body and mind are both factors in a person’s mental health. It is a true reality that anyone can struggle with their mental health, whether the individual is young or old, rich or poor, believer or unbeliever. Mental health is an important topic that all people need to be familiar with today.
If your goal for 2024 is to have a healthy mind, let’s build strong foundations whilst the year is still new.
Jackie Tumusime Butera
Founder Community redemption organization Uganda