How to maintain good Mental Health
The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”
This definition itself may seem like an obvious question, but actually, the term mental health is multi-faceted. When we talk about our mental health we are referring to both our brain's physical health as well as our emotional status. In order to have good overall mental health, your brain needs to be physically fit as well as emotionally fit. A number of factors contribute to both the physical and emotional state of our minds. It is important be aware of these issues so that you can keep your mind happy on both levels.
Think about your emotional well-being. Assess your emotional health regularly. Consider the particular demands or stresses you are facing and how they are affecting you.
Give yourself permission to take a break from your worries and concerns. Recognize that dedicating even a short time every day to your mental fitness will reap significant benefits in terms of feeling rejuvenated and more confident.

Here are some simple ways to practice mental fitness:
Meditation – A different way: Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a dream location. Breathe slowly and deeply. Whether it’s a beach, a mountaintop, a hushed forest or a favorite room from your past, let the comforting environment wrap you in a sensation of peace and tranquility.
“Collect” positive emotional moments – Make it a point to recall times when you have experienced pleasure, comfort, tenderness, confidence, or other positive emotions.
Conquer the negative thoughts – Negative thoughts can be insistent and loud. Learn to interrupt them. Don’t try to block them (that never works), but don’t let them take over. Try distracting yourself or comforting yourself, if you can’t solve the problem right away.
Do one thing at a time – For example, when you are out for a walk or spending time with friends, turn off your cell phone and stop making that mental “to do” list. Take in all the sights, sounds and smells you encounter.
Exercise – A healthy mind needs a healthy body to stay. Regular physical activity improves psychological well-being and can reduce depression and anxiety. Joining an exercise group or a gym can also reduce loneliness, since it connects you with a new set of people sharing a common goal.
Hobbies – Taking up a hobby brings balance to your life by allowing you to do something you enjoy because you want to do it, free of the pressure of everyday tasks. It also keeps your brain active.
Set personal goals – Goals don’t have to be ambitious. You might decide to finish that book you started three years ago; to take a walk around the block every day; to learn to knit or play bridge; to call your friends instead of waiting for the phone to ring. Whatever goal you set, reaching it will build confidence and a sense of satisfaction.
Keep a journal (or even talk to the wall!) – Expressing yourself after a stressful day can help you gain perspective, release tension and even boost your body’s resistance to illness. Talk or whisper to yourself and express your feelings of tension, anger, guilt or even good things you have done. Pat yourself for good things.
Share humour – Life often gets too serious, so when you hear or see something that makes you smile or laugh, share it with someone you know. A little humour can go a long way to keeping us mentally fit! Jokes of all kind make you relieved. Listening to other’s jokes and narrating one you know makes a lot of positive change to the mental state.
Volunteer – Volunteering is called the “win-win” activity because helping others makes us feel good about ourselves. At the same time, it widens our social network, provides us with new learning experiences and can bring balance to our lives.
Treat yourself well – Cook yourself a good meal. Have a bubble bath. See a movie. Call a friend or relative you haven’t talked to in ages. Sit on a park bench and breathe in the fragrance of flowers and grass. Whatever it is, do it just for you.
Take things one at a time – It’s easy to get caught up in the desire to do and experience new things, but having too much on your plate can be counter-productive. Try making a list. If possible, break large tasks into smaller, more manageable items that can easily be finished. Completing one thing at a time can lead to a greater sense of accomplishment and spur you to do even more
Make the most of leisure time - Make plans with family members, loved ones and/or a tour group to visit a place you’ve always wanted to go. Join a club, start a new hobby or learn a new skill such as gardening, bird watching or dancing. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it’s something that you truly want to do!
Be a joiner. Join networking, social action, conservation, and special interest groups that meet on a regular basis. These groups offer wonderful opportunities for finding people with common interests – people you like being with who are potential friends
I am confident that these simple measures work miraculously and make you a mentally fit person who takes any challenge and keeps heading to the goal of his life!

We & Our Health

For any pracising doctor,it is very customary to examine the patients & prescribing the medicines. However, in this modern world there are many things we do not know, even if we know we have forgoten. The basic simole principles of health, This blog columns will be an attempt towards that direction. ' To revise the principles of health & to throw some new focus'.