The state of your mental health plays an important role in everyday life. Most people don’t even realize the importance and impact mental health has on their thoughts, emotions and behavior. Let’s look at some of the major areas of life where maintaining a good mental health balance is key to living your best life.
WORK
Almost all of us work in some capacity. Whether you work full or part time, from home or outside the home, work does impact your mental health. It goes without saying that stressful situations can arise at any time within your workplace. If you are not in a good headspace, it affects your productivity and performance. Regardless of the industry
you work in, it is imperative to be mindful of making sure that work stress doesn’t begin to creep in and take over other areas of your life. Doing things such as setting manageable goals, organizing your workspace, knowing when to take a break, and leaving work at work can all contribute to making sure your mental health stays in balance.
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships can be some of the most rewarding and fulfilling aspects of our lives. Conversely, they can also be the most intense and stressful. If your mental health is not in balance, it will negatively impact how you respond to those around you, especially your closest relationships, because those are usually the people with whom you feel the most comfortable. This can lead to misunderstandings, which then can lead to a breakdown in communication, can cause emotional distance and isolation, and ultimately can adversely impact the relationships you count on the most.
Support and respectful communication can go a long way to ensuring that both your mental health and your relationships are healthy. If you notice an increase in conflict in your relationship(s), take a step-back to assess what other factors might be contributing to this change. In most cases, it is likely that one or both persons are feeling overwhelmed by external factors which is leading to increased reactivity. Finding personal balance and focusing on intentional communication in relationships is key to improving these interactions.
FINANCES
Another aspect that often goes unlooked is how mental health affects your finances. Making major financial decisions when your mental health isn’t where it should be can have lasting consequences. For some people, decreased self-control leads to wasteful spending, then regret, and the cycle repeats itself. Others get to a state where procrastination takes over and a necessary financial decision is delayed. In other words, instead of being frustrated that a bill seems unfair or too high, put the emotion to the side and identify your best plan to pay the bill. When your mental health is in balance, financial decisions, even the tough ones, can be made with objectivity rather than relying on emotion.
BALANCE IS KEY
Whether it’s work, family and other relationships, or even finances, balancing your life to maintain a good mental state is vital to avoid falling into a pattern of negativity. Worrying about the “what ifs”, overthinking, and perfectionism all detract from a balanced mental state. Practicing mindfulness, spending time with your loved ones, making time to do the things that bring you joy, and seeking counsel from a licensed professional can all contribute to achieving your best mental health balance.
