October has been declared Mental Health Awareness month. Not being trained and without experience on the topic, I immediately used the internet and came across 3,62 billion results for “mental health.” I attempt to touch on a little introduction below but admit this is an issue for the professionals. For those who want to read extensively on the topic, I refer to MedicalNewsToday.com.
Mental Health.com defines mental health as: “Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is essential at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood”. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry, Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, Family history of mental health problems”.
The handbook Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists nearly three hundred mental disorders, and some of the main groups are:
- mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder)
- anxiety disorders
- personality disorders
- psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
- eating disorders
- trauma-related disorders (such as post-traumatic stress disorder)
- substance abuse disorders
The National Institute of Medical Health lists a few self-care routines to improve your mental health, namely:
- Regular exercise: Exercising for 45 minutes, three to five times a week.
- Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated: Eating a nourishing, balanced diet and staying hydrated can give a constant supply of energy throughout the day.
- Aim for good-quality sleep: multiple studies found that more significant improvements in sleep quality led to greater improvements in a person’s mental health.
- Perform relaxing activities: Breathing exercises, meditation, wellness apps, and journaling can help reduce stress and improve overall health and well-being.
- Practice gratefulness: People can practice mindfulness and gratitude by actively identifying things they are grateful for daily.
- Challenge negative thoughts: A person can practice positivity by becoming aware of their negative and unhelpful thoughts and challenging them.
- Look for positive social interactions: Connecting and maintaining meaningful connections and relationships reduces stress and provides support and practical help in times of need.
The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected many people’s mental health globally. At Autus Private Clients, we care for our people and clients. We find that more and more time, our conversations revolve around personal issues other than financial matters. As I repeat our CEO’s words, we undertake to make every day a mental care day: “we are here to touch people’s lives.” If you need a listening ear, do not hesitate to contact us without hesitation.
May you enjoy life in different ways.
Christo Malan
Chairman: Autus Private Clients and Autus Foundation