The 10 Tools
These proven tools can help you feel stronger and more hopeful. Check out each page for specific, easy-to-follow tips.
Why Mental Health Matters
Some people think that only people with mental illnesses have to pay attention to their mental health.
But the truth is that your emotions, thoughts and attitudes affect your energy, productivity and overall health. Good mental health strengthens your ability to cope with everyday hassles and more serious crises and challenges. Good mental health is essential to creating the life you want.
Just as you brush your teeth or get a flu shot, you can take steps to promote your mental health. A great way to start is by learning to deal with stress.
How Stress Hurts
Stress can eat away at your well-being like acid eating away at your stomach. Actually, stress can contribute to stomach pains and lots of other problems, like:
headaches
insomnia
overeating
back pain
high blood pressure
irritability
vulnerability to infection
Stress also can lead to serious mental health problems, like depression and anxiety disorders. If you think you have such a problem, you can get help.
Of course you can't magically zap all sources of stress. But you can learn to deal with them in a way that promotes the well-being you want--and deserve.
The Evidence
The concrete steps we're suggesting are not based on guesses, fads or advice from grandma (though she probably got a lot right). They represent hundreds of research studies with thousands of participants, often conducted over decades and backed by major universities or government agencies.
This research shows that how good you feel is to a fairly large extent up to you. No matter how stressful your situation, you can take steps to promote your well-being.
We're not talking about huge changes to your lifestyle, either. We're talking about reasonable steps that if used consistently can increase your comfort and boost your ability to build a rewarding life.
24 January 2019 © Copyright Mental Health America
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