How Mental Health Affects Daily Life
It’s officially mental health awareness month. During this month, I generally try to post more about mental health than I usually do. Even though I strongly believe mental health is something that should be discussed all year around, it helps to have a month dedicated to this cause. Today, I wanted to talk about how mental health affects daily life.
People who don’t have any mental health problems can’t fully grasp what it is like to have them. And I’m not saying that to be rude or anything. It’s just that mental health problems are one of those things you need to experience to fully understand. And since that’s the case, many people don’t understand how mental health affects daily life because it honestly effects so many aspects of your daily life.
Here are some ways that mental health affects daily life:
Productivity
Mental health can really affect your productivity. As someone with anxiety and depression I know this first hand. For me, there are days when I struggle to get out of bed. And that’s when I’m grateful for this blog and my work because it gives me a reason to do so. And I know that most mental health issues do have some affect on productivity throughout the day. For example, those with bipolar may be more productive when experiencing mania but not as productive when experiencing a depressive episode.
Many people think that people with mental health issues are just lazy or weak. But that’s just not true. Your mental health directly affects productivity and it may be physically impossible for some to be productive when experiencing mental health issues. It’s also a double standard the world needs to work on. You wouldn’t tell someone experiencing physical issues that they are weak and lazy. So keep that same energy when it comes to mental issues too.
Mood
Mental health plays such a big role on your mood. Especially mood disorders. People are quick to label others moody without realising that they may be doing that unintentionally. So before you judge someone, try to put yourself in their shoes. And let’s all try to be more empathetic in the future.
Everything
Your mental health affects everything. Every little aspect of your life. I wish I could say I was exaggerating but I’m not. It affects parts of your life you wouldn’t even think it would. It affects what you eat, how you sleep, how you think and even what you see/hear. Every aspect of life you can think of can be affected by mental health issues.
Conclusion
I mainly just wanted to write this post to help people understand just how much your mental health affects your daily life. Especially people who don’t experience any mental health issues that may not understand this. So let’s all be more sympathetic and empathetic to those around us. And we let’s all have some basic humanity which seems to quickly be disappearing these days. Don’t preach about love if you can’t practice it with everyone.
And talking of mental health, do take some time to attend Cindy’s book launch party for her first book. I reviewed it a few days back and since it’s about self-care I think this is the perfect month to read it. It’s been really helpful for me personally and I feel like I got great tips from it that are actively helping my mental health. For more on how to attend the virtual book launch tomorrow, click here.
If you would like to read more posts about mental health click here.
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Thank you for opening up about your struggle. Shame can make your existing struggle unbearable. Do you have any tips for people who have mental health problems? Well, other than making an awesome blog 🙂
Thanks so much. Yes, I have lots of advice posts, use the link at the bottom of the post to get to my mental health category to view them 😊
Good mental health is fundamental yo a good life. Much more research and assistance is required. Society doesn’t take it seriously enough.
I completely agree. The research is still quite lacking for mental health issues compared to physical ones.
The problem with mental health is people just don’t want to accept it.
Even in India, I’m sure every 2nd person is facing mental/emotional imbalance or trauma, but they don’t want to address it.
I’ve seen people getting angry on road very easily, they start getting aggressive, they just want to take out their frustration.
This is all mental imbalance, and people are ignoring it.
As you mentioned, people consider it sign of laziness and weakness 🤷🏻♂️
People refuse to go to psychologist, because they feel it’s for the crazies. 🤦🏻♂️
Before this comment gets too long, I want to thank and appreciate you for your efforts. You know such blogs are very useful.
And I won’t be afraid to acknowledge that you have helped me a lot. And your work has influenced my work a lot. Even some of my blog ideas are based on your work (I won’t tell you which).
So thanks 🙇🏻♂️
I’d like to add that it gets even more difficult to seek professional help with orthodox parents in India because they believe, ‘it would be difficult to get their girl married to a nice guy, if she gets associated with any sort of mental health issues’.
Well girls have many more difficulties
As if periods cramps weren’t enough…
They need to answer “society” for everything 🤦🏻♂️
This society is the one who can hero and villain in secs.
“Hey, your daughter have mental health issues, she cannot marry my son ( who is a drug addict, womanizer and abuser)”
Absolutely, women are judged on a different standard than men. (sorry to butt into the convo lol)
Women are judged everywhere sadly. You can write something on this maybe? A space for proper conversation 😁
You are not supposed to say sorry 🤷🏻♂️
It’s still your blog 😝
I don’t write about feminism because people will get all in arms about mens rights instead of understanding my point lol 😅
I would like you to take a risk.
I mean, people absolutely adore you.
Wp community is very different and supportive.
It will initiate a healthy conversation.
Plus, as a blogger and writer, you can try this. 😁
Do you want me to do a petition? 😝
I’ve tried and got so much hate lol 😅
Ohhhh!
Exactly!! Basically, we are supposed to even breathe only if society approves
You’re absolutely right. Not just in India, but in most places I feel the majority of people have mental health issues. But are either unable to or choose not to get help. And obviously all those bottled up emotions come out in one way or another.
I’m happy to share such blogs and do what I can to reduce the stigma.
Such blogs are important.
These educate a lot of people. A lot of youngsters have mental health issues. And they don’t know what to do. In such times these blogs are super educative.
Older people have more mental health issues than anyone they just refuse to admit it because of the stigma.
Well I agree to that too!!
Thanks for sharing…the struggle is real.
Yeah but luckily nothing is permanent.
Thankfully!💃🏿💃🏿
😊
Hey Pooja, it’s been a while… I hope to get fully back online next week. But in the meantime I happened to see the email announcing your post. What a wonderful piece… you show so much authenticity and vulnerability, helping to normalize mental health issues to take the societal shame away from them. That’s awesome and I admire that you do this, using your own experience to help Lifesfinewhiners. We need more of this in the world as there are so many people suffering in silence. And you make a very good point about suggesting people not judge those with mental health challenges, and instead equating them with physical ailments. For those in the back of the room – THEY ARE THE EXACT SAME THING. There is no shame in a broken leg; why is there for a broken spirit? Keep well and I look forward to catching up with your posts soon. 🙏🏼
Thank you so much, it’s nice to see you back here and I look forward to your daily posts agin.
I try to share my own experiences as much as I can to help people see they aren’t alone. Reading stuff like this helped me when I was at my lowest and I hope I can be there for someone too.
You’re absolutely right, your brain is just a muscle and sometimes muscles don’t function properly. Having a mental and physical illness is the same, both are illnesses that need to be treated.
Thank you, I’m glad my thoughts resonated. Won’t be back to posting just yet; taking some time to enjoy but will look forward to engaging in discussion on my posts. I truly appreciate you following me and sharing your thoughts and memories of the songs I write about. Be well. 🙏🏼
Enjoy your break from blogging, summer is always so fun in Canada. We used to go out daily just to get lots of sun. I guess I’ll just be reading older posts till you get back 😅
It addressed an important subject. Thanks for that
Thanks, happy to share it.
Mental health is important, thank you for highlighting!!
I very much agree, thank you!
Thank you Pooja for sharing these important points. We all need to be aware of them.
I’m happy share them and spread awareness. Thanks for reading.
My pleasure
Thank you sharing, Pooja.
I think the more this is highlighted, the more receptive people will become to acceptance. 🤍
I totally agree, it helps to share our experiences to decrease stigma 💖
*for (oops… missed that)
Absolutely… 🤍
Thank you so much, Pooja! for emphasizing these points. Even though mental health is very talked about these days, still most people treat it as a taboo.
Your post reminded me of my own experience when I used to feel like being trapped in a cage and struggling so hard to breathe. Even now, when I think about those days, I get tears in my eyes.
All thanks to this wordpress community where I could at least share my feelings. I don’t know how would I’ve even survived without it.
As you’ve mentioned, mental health has an adverse effect on physical activities as well, and it hurts when people call you lazy instead of trying to understand your situation.
I agree, even though we have come a long way when it comes to mental health we also have a long way to go.
I understand how you feel. I also found WordPress when I was at rock bottom and I am so thankful I did. It’s a really great way to express ourselves.
True, there’s a long way to go!!
Indeed! WordPress is a blessing.😌
“Don’t preach about love if you can’t practice it with everyone.” “So before you judge someone, try to put yourself in their shoes.” Beautiful lines. Demonstration of love & empathy are hard to find these days☺
Thanks so much, yes we all need to spread more love and empathy these days.
Thanks for this very timely post, Pooja. I think everyone can comprehend the importance of mental health, even if one is not having any mental health issues.
You have insightfully highlighted how mental health impacts every aspect of our daily life. Agreed that we need to show empathy and understanding with the people going through mental health issues. We must also dispel all misconceptions about mental health and contribute in spreading awareness among the masses about this crucial health issue. Discussing mental health must not be a taboo.
Thanks so much. I think so too. We need to be kinder to people and try to think about what it is like for them instead of judging them. Discussing mental health openly is the best way to get rid of the stigma surrounding the topic.
Surely, there is no need to judge people without fully understanding the trauma they are going through. Like all the other health issues, mental health issue also deserves to be discussed candidly, without any victim blaming. I don’t find any reason why we have stigmatized this topic.
You are absolutely correct. I wish more people felt this way. The world would be a better place.
Gradually, people will realize.
I really hope so.
Mental health is an important topic. It helps to work in a supportive work environment. Another important thing is having a selection of good music that helps with your mood when your mental health is down.
Yes, that’s very true. Music really affects our mood and having a positive playlist ready for when we are feeling down helps.
It’s my secret vitamin for changing the mood!
Very important to recognise and remember these things Pooja. Thank you. At least there is a conversation now. Thirty years ago there wasn’t.
I absolutely agree, we’ve come a long way even though we have a long way to go.
👌👌👌✒ Have a beautiful day dear Pooja🌞🤗🌹
Thanks and have a beautiful day too 🤗
I struggle with mental health too. Back in the 1990s, when I was in my 30s, I tried medication and it made my moods much worse. I didn’t wean myself off it, just went cold turkey and that’s not what I’d recommend. It was a very bad time for me, going through that.
That’s when I discovered juicing and it helped elevate my mood tremendously. Another “trick” is loading up on the B vitamins when I get stressed or feel an episode coming on. Also working out, face massages and head massages do wonders.
But the struggle is real. I knew I was having an episode the other day when a package of my latest book arrived and I didn’t even care to open it, nor did I get excited about it.
I tried medication too but could never find one that worked for me. They just made me feel numb which I hated.
I’ve been doing similar things including juicing and massages and they’ve been so helpful. It’s truly difficult because it never fully goes away but knowing how to contain the symptoms helps a lot.
Thanks for sharing this post, mental health is really a big issue. And unfortunately many people are not aware about it or hesitate to talk about about it. I wish people who are struggling with mental health should be more open and could get all required help!!
I agree, there needs to be much more available content about mental health. I hope so too!
What a wonderful post on a topic too frequently swept under the rug. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Thank you so much and I agree, it needs to be discussed more openly.
Most welcome, Pooja.
Actively discussing about mental health is definitely necessary. People should be made aware of different ways to identify mild to severe mental health issues. Identifying the symptoms and acknowledging that someone needs help can go a long way to understand and being emphatic towards each other.
I absolutely agree. We need to talk more openly about mental health. Yes, figuring out what someone needs to better their mental health helps a lot.
Such an important but stigmatized topic! You capture the difficulties perfectly! It affects everything in your life. I love how you’re helping others! Hugs, C
Thank you! Absolutely, every aspect of life is related to our mental health. And I’m happy to be able to help others the same way many have helped me!
Hey Pooja.
Thanks for sharing this.
I feel like I don’t make enough posts about mental health. Thank you for reminding me and encouraging me to talk about it more. I may make a post
I’m not ashamed to be mentally ill persay, but it still needs to be talked about more
Alot of people are also judged by how they choose to cope. Obviously it depends on what their coping mechanism is, but if someone’s mechanism isn’t harmful, why should they be judged?
There’s no cure for mental illnesses, but we deserve to be treated well.
Thank you. I hope you do post about mental health. I think it’s important to stare our thoughts and experiences since it helps decrease stigma.
I agree, people are so judgemental about how others choose to cope. Different people cope differently but that doesn’t mean any of those methods are wrong. We should do what works best for us.
Exactly. 🙂
I was going to shout you out in the post, but I’m not sure if that’s weird or not. But if you want me to, I can
Thanks again. I just made a post on Linked In, because a lot of people struggle with employment because of their mental illnesses.
Either is fine. I don’t really need a shoutout but thanks for the thought though.
That’s wonderful. Yeah, it’s true. Mental illnesses make it easier to find or maintain work since so many workplaces are so unaccommodating to mental health needs.
Alright 🙂
I agree with you. 🫶🏻
Negative events in life can affect any person’s positivity and positivity is the key to finding the way out of depression or changes to body chemistry as we age. Some times medication is needed but unless needed to deal with a permanent chemical imbalance it should only be a temporary help out of that condition. Practicing positive thoughts helps in many cases.
I completely agree. And to add to that, having gratitude and showing gratitude for what we have helps with that positivity. Instead of focusing on negatives all the time.
Absolutely. I think everybody should be aware of this. Also I think one should help one’s friends and relatives to understand the importance of mental health. And I just talked to a friend last week who refused to acknowledge that there are mental issues around him. Flat denial. However I am going to work on this friend, at least for a while, to see how much I can get people to change their opinion. LOL. I want to see how far I can go to bring awareness…
I totally agree. It helps to educate those around us about mental health. Lots of people are in denial unfortunately. I wish you luck, hopefully you can change his mind.
I am so glad it is mental health awareness month! Although, I feel like every month should be mental health awareness month
I totally agree, still having a month dedicated to the cause helps!
It is true. We are judged by how we cope, aren’t we? I’ve struggled with depression all my life, even as a child, starting when I was 5. And I’ve tried everything to try to act and be normal. Every day is a struggle. I am reminded of the day a decade ago when I made a superhuman effort to get up, go to work, sit through a meeting, and encourage my boss who was having a hard time, only to have her turn on me and say, “Your depression can’t be that bad since you make it into work every day. Mine is so much worse.” I wanted to tell her that it isn’t a competition. We all struggle and we can all try to be supportive of each other. We can’t know what anyone else is going through because we are not them. But we can be kind. We can acknowledge that everyone’s experiences are valid, just as you have here. Thank you.
I absolutely agree. Oftentimes, people don’t understand what it is like to have high functioning depression because we seem “normal” to the outside world. I’ve had people question my depression and anxiety diagnoses because I don’t seem like I have mental health issues. It’s really sad when that happens. Like you said, people need to learn to be kinder and understand that we all have our own experiences.
You are absolutely right! Mental health affects everything. And not everyone gets that. Thank you for bringing these into light.
Thanks! Yes, absolutely. Mental health affects every aspect of life.
A very important and great wisdom and so helpful to share Pooja! ❣️
Thank you so much! 😊
A pleasure!! 💗
It is true that if people have never struggled with their mental health they won’t understand. Some will even say that you’re just having a bad day. Sure that could be true but when that bad day continues for weeks than that’s another thing. It’s not fun and we can’t always snap out of it like some think. Good post Pooj.
Absolutely. Bad days are normal but for some of us, those bad days don’t end when the day does. It’s much harder to get past the bad stuff than people realise. Thanks.
Agreed
You said that people who have not experienced mental health issues may not fully understand it. The more I’ve lived the more I have seen that too.
There just something about mental health that you can only understand it, or other people going through it once you’ve been there.
That’s why people should be kinder when interacting with other people.
I totally agree. Mental health is so personal that’s it’s hard for those on the outside to know what someone with mental health issues experiences. And yes, we absolutely need to be kinder.
I know first hand that mental health is the most important thing. Great info here girlie 💖
Thanks so much! 😊
Mental health plays a significant role in our daily lives, influencing our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being. It affects how we perceive and interact with the world around us, as well as how we manage stress, handle challenges, and maintain relationships. Understanding the impact of mental health on daily life is crucial for promoting personal well-being and creating a supportive environment for individuals experiencing mental health issues.
One of the ways mental health affects daily life is through our emotional well-being. Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder can significantly impact our mood, leading to feelings of sadness, worry, irritability, or mood swings. These emotional states can influence our ability to concentrate, make decisions, and engage in daily activities, affecting our productivity and overall quality of life.
Mental health also has a profound effect on our relationships. Conditions like social anxiety or low self-esteem may hinder our ability to connect with others, participate in social activities, or form meaningful connections. Furthermore, mental health challenges can strain existing relationships, as symptoms may lead to communication difficulties, withdrawal, or changes in behavior. Building strong support networks and seeking therapy or counseling can help individuals navigate these challenges and cultivate healthier relationships.
Moreover, mental health can impact our physical health and self-care routines. Conditions such as chronic stress, depression, or eating disorders may contribute to unhealthy habits, disrupted sleep patterns, poor nutrition, or a lack of exercise. Neglecting physical well-being can create a cycle where mental health symptoms worsen, further affecting daily functioning and overall vitality. Prioritizing self-care, seeking professional help, and practicing stress management techniques are essential for maintaining a healthy mind-body balance.
Mental health also influences our performance in work or school environments. Conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, or depression can impair concentration, memory, and motivation, affecting our ability to meet deadlines or perform tasks effectively. It is crucial to create supportive and accommodating environments that foster mental well-being, including flexible work arrangements, access to mental health resources, and promoting open conversations about mental health in the workplace or educational settings.
In summary, mental health has a profound impact on various aspects of daily life. It influences our emotional well-being, relationships, physical health, and overall functioning. Recognizing the significance of mental health and implementing strategies to promote mental well-being can help individuals lead fulfilling lives and create a society that values and supports mental health for all.
Well said, thank you for sharing.
You are welcome