Healthy Minds

Nowadays, we are living in a world that runs at high speed, and depending on what we do, we do not have time for almost anything. Most of the time, we live in such a hurry that we do not pay attention to our own health, especially mental health which is as important as physical health.

According to the World Health Organization "health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." WHO, 1948; therefore, we can deduce that to be healthy we need a balance between our body, mind, and how we interact with others.

What a healthy mind is:

A healthy mind is a mind free from any disease, disorder, or stress.

The most common condition that affects almost everybody is stress. Of course, in the times we are living it is difficult to keep our minds free from it; hence, it is important to have certain habits to maintain our minds as healthy as we can and to prevent the development of serious disorders or diseases.

Healthy tips for healthy minds

• Exercise regularly: exercising not only helps our bodies but also our brain. It improves our mood and makes us feel better with ourselves.
• Maintain healthy eating habits: it is well known that avoiding fast food and eating more veggies and fruit is important for our physical health; however, what we eat can also affect our mental health. For instance, foods with high levels of sugar can increase anxiety. Thus, check more often what you are eating and look for what types of food you should avoid or eat more.
• Have healthy relationships: avoid any kind of relationship that might bring stress or anxiety to your life. Instead, reinforce your bonds with family and friends and nourish them every day.
• Find a way to face problems: it is impossible to live a life without problems or difficult situations; nevertheless, it is our responsability to face them without compromising our own health. Face the problems but remember that your well-being comes first. 
• Be spiritual: try having a good relationship with God, nature, or whatever you believe in; meditate or pray often.
• Look for help: sometimes, there are situations that are out of our control and no matter what we do, they are affecting us greatly. In those cases, look for help, a friend, a parent, or a specialist; someone that can hear you, help you, and give you some piece of advice that will get you through that rough time.
• Work on your self-esteem: learn to love yourself without falling into narcissism and take time to do what you love.
• Be organized: we have a lot of responsabilities and tasks that need to be completed, so be organized with your time in order to avoid stressful situations.

Remember that a healthy mind is a healthy body too. Sometimes we are sick because our mind is also sick; therefore, pay attention to it more often, work on it, and you will notice the difference.

"The mind is a powerful force. It can enslave us or empower us. It can plunge us into the depths of misery or take us to the heights of ecstasy. Learn to use the power wisely."      

- David Cuschieri