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Why and How You Should Maintain Your Mental Health
- Joy DeWitte
- Aug 16
- 3 min read
In summary, the entirety of all of your feelings and thoughts. Now emotions and thinking are oftentimes positive. You may feel happy with a satisfactory grade in school, or be thinking about an exciting new party you were invited to. However, in some cases, you may feel upset, left out, lonely, embarrassed, enraged, or even hopeless. These negative feelings are exactly why mental health is important. A miserable thought or emotion is human nature, and not a cause for concern. However, it is important not to let those feelings consume you. In order to do this, you must maintain your mental health. Mental health is just as important as your physical Health; it is a main component to living a productive life. Maybe you're thinking, “this doesn’t apply to me,” or “no one I know experiences mental health issues”. Unfortunately, those around you have likely dealt with mental health struggles at some point in their life. According to the National Mental Health Institution, 1 in 5 Americans experiences a mental health condition every year.
“Well, yeah, a lot of people experience it, but is it actually a big deal?” might be the next question on your mind. The answer: it affects the way your brain functions. Mental health impacts cognitive function, meaning that maintaining it helps to improve your decision-making, problem-solving, and learning. Another important factor in maintaining your mental health is your physical health. This may be surprising, but studies show that mental conditions can manifest themselves in physical conditions, like insomnia, heart palpitations, or unusual soreness. It is important to learn how to improve and maintain your mental health. You can develop better psychological health by communicating with others, coping with your stressors, and expressing gratitude for the positives in your life. To combat negative feelings, it is important to be able to identify them and convey them to others. To begin, acknowledge the feelings you have, and try to maintain a positive outlook. Once you understand your own emotions, it can be helpful to discuss them with a support system. While doing this, share your emotions honestly, and stay respectful. It may not go perfectly, but listening to advice and showing empathy will help you with emotion regulation.
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Another way to better your mental health is learning how to handle rogue thoughts or
feelings that come your way. When this happens, it is important to manage them healthily. You may keep a journal to express your feelings and work through problems. Alternatively, you can practice relaxation by taking deep breaths or meditating. To get your mind off what may feel too big to handle at the time, enjoy what you love. Partaking in hobbies can help you process and move on from stressors in your life.
Ultimately, it is essential to recognize the positives in your life. Although emotions get
overwhelming, remember to focus on things you're thankful for. Reminding yourself of all your blessings is a guaranteed way to make you feel better. Looking for ideas? Try letting a loved one know how grateful you are for them, or volunteer for those who are in need. Facing everything you have going for you in your life will help you move past feelings that may have felt insurmountable before. Remember, mental health is an important topic, affecting both your brain and your body. However, there are many ways to maintain it. You can focus on communication, handling stressors, and being grateful. There are many mental health resources, and a network of people willing to help those struggling with a mental health crisis.
“6 Reasons Mental Health Is so Important.” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 17 June 2025,
“Improve Your Emotional Well-Being.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Accessed 31 July 2025.
“Mental Illness.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Accessed 31 July 2025.
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