May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

What is mental health?

Mental health is our overall well-being, this includes our emotional, psychological and social health. Mental health affects how we:

    • Think
    • Act
    • Communicate
    • Deal with stress
    • Relate to others
  • Make decisions

It is important we maintain our mental health at all ages, from the day we are born into adulthood.

Factors that contribute to mental health problems:

    • Trauma
    • Genes
    • Brain chemistry
    • Abuse
  • Family History

Unsure if you or someone you know is dealing with mental health issues? It is important to be aware of warning signs.

Early Warning Signs:

    • Eating or sleeping too much or too little
    • Withdrawing from people or normal daily activities
    • Feeling like nothing matters
    • Always tired; little to no energy
    • Unexplained aches and pain
  • An increase in smoking, drinking, or drug use

If you or someone you know may be suffering it is important to be there for support and provide encouragement. Somethings you can do to maintain positive mental health include:

    • Surround yourself with good people
    • Set obtainable goals
    • Quiet your mind
    • Learn how to deal with stress
    • Take care of your body
    • Eat well & drink plenty of water
    • Get enough sleep
  • Be physically active

Staying physically active is important for your mental health for numerous reasons. For example, participating in even the simplest activities like walking gets your body moving which will boost your brainpower, memory, and helps you deal with anxiety. Staying active also helps with reducing stress and boosts self-confidence.

Eating proper food can even play a role in how you feel. Food to eat that boosts your mood include:

    • Nuts such as walnuts, cashews, peanuts
    • Avocados
    • Beans
    • Leafy greens
  • Fresh fruit

But make sure to avoid:

    • Caffeine
    • Alcohol
    • Sugary snacks
  • Fried foods

In honor of May being National Mental Health Awareness Month, our team at Block Chiropractic Sports & Wellness wants to bring awareness to the importance of mental health and the significance of staying healthy mentally. There is no health without mental health. So if you’ve been looking for mental health awareness month activities or tips, contact us today to speak with one of our chiropractor physical therapy experts today!