Mental Health Matters: Recognizing the Importance of Mental Well-Being

For a long time, mental health was either overlooked or misunderstood. Likely both. Health was defined by physical well-being—if someone looked physically fit, they were assumed to be healthy. You could be drowning in stress, anxiety, or depression, but as long as you were active and not crying in public, you were obviously doing great, right?

Thankfully, society has started to catch up. With more research and awareness, people are beginning to understand that mental health is foundational to living a balanced, healthy life. However, there’s still work to do in reducing stigma and improving access to care. 

Mental health isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. 

Why Mental Health is Just as Important as Physical Health

You can be physically fit—running marathons (if you’re into that sort of thing…) or hitting PRs at the gym—but if your mental health is struggling, it will take a toll on your body. Conditions like anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, and depression can disrupt your body’s balance, leading to serious physical symptoms. Stress, for example, raises cortisol and adrenaline levels, which can cause headaches, digestive issues, and tension in your muscles.

Depression, on the other hand, can impact your sleep patterns (either causing insomnia or making you want to sleep forever), increase physical aches and pains, and weaken your immune system. Over time, untreated mental health conditions have been linked to heart disease and other health risks.

As I mentioned in my blog, What Is Binge Eating Disorder—and How Do I Know I Have It?, untreated eating disorders can result in serious health risks as well.

It’s a reminder that your mind and body are a team. When your mental health declines, your body often follows, and vice versa. Learning to care for both is crucial to feeling your best and being your best self.

Recognizing Early Signs of Mental Health Struggles 

Everyone’s mental health journey is unique, and recognizing early warning signs can be difficult. People can feel "off" for years before realizing something is wrong or believing they need help. Mental health issues often develop gradually, which can make it easy to dismiss symptoms as temporary stress or as a “bad week.” However, the sooner you can identify these signs, the sooner you can seek support and prevent further mental health decline.

Here are some common early signs of mental health struggles:

1. Decreased Motivation

When things you used to love doing start to feel like a chore, it’s a sign something might be off. Simple tasks like getting out of bed, replying to texts, or brushing your teeth can feel impossible, let alone finding the energy to hang out with friends or participate in any activities you typically enjoy. While it may appear to many as laziness, it’s often a symptom of depression.

2. Persistent Fatigue

This isn’t your average "I need another coffee" kind of tired. This is waking up exhausted even after a full eight hours of sleep. Various mental health struggles mess with sleep quality, leaving you drained and unable to recharge.

3. Irritability or Emotional Sensitivity

Feeling like every little thing sets you off? Whether it’s slow Wi-Fi or a noisy neighbor, stress and anxiety can make your patience disappear faster than ice cream melting on a hot summer day. You might also find yourself more emotional than usual—tearing up at random moments or overthinking every conversation.

4. Changes in Sleep Patterns

For some, racing thoughts keep you tossing and turning all night. For others, sleeping as long as humanly possible is the goal. These changes in sleep patterns often worsen mental health, creating a vicious cycle.

5. Isolation or Withdrawal from Loved Ones

You may start canceling plans and avoiding texts because the thought of social interaction feels too exhausting. Isolation might seem like the move, but it can deepen feelings of loneliness and make recovery harder.

6. Difficulty Concentrating

Ever feel like your brain is zig-zagging from one thought to another?  Or on the opposite end of the spectrum–like a dense fog is hazing over your mind?  Anxiety can make it hard to focus on anything but your worries, while depression can slow your thinking altogether. This can affect your work, school, or ability to make simple decisions.

I’ve dealt with every single one of these signs. Some days, my motivation is so low that getting out of bed feels like a massive accomplishment, let alone doing things I enjoy or being productive in any way. However, I recognize these signs and focus on implementing small changes during the hard times. 

It’s important to note: it’s ok to have a day of staying in bed and isolating yourself if that’s what you need at the moment. What matters is starting to take those micro-steps the next day to focus on nursing yourself back to a healthier mental state. 

How Prioritizing Mental Health Improves Your Life 

Taking care of your mental health isn’t a magic solution, but it can transform how you handle challenges. You might notice increased energy, better focus, and improved relationships. Everyday tasks become more manageable, and even when things get tough, you have the resilience to push through without completely breaking down.

Mental health, however, requires continuous care and attention. The key lies in acknowledging struggles as they arise and adopting healthy coping strategies to work through them.

For me, prioritizing my mental health is a constant, evolving process. While my eating disorder may be in the past, OCD and depression seem to enjoy my company, always popping up like unwanted guests who refuse to leave. 

During these times, I try to pause, reflect, and apply strategies that help me move forward like those I mention in my blog: Morning Struggles: Navigating Depression When Getting Out of Bed Feels Impossible. I focus on small wins and being kind to myself. Even when setbacks occur, I view them as opportunities to grow. Each step I take to prioritize my well-being strengthens my capacity to navigate life’s challenges with better patience and self-compassion.

Practical Ways to Support Your Mental Well-Being

Taking care of your mental health doesn’t have to mean a complete lifestyle overhaul. Small, manageable changes add up over time. Try out different strategies and stick to what works best for you. 

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Set Boundaries 

You can’t do it all, nor should you have to. Setting boundaries means learning to say "no" when you’re stretched too thin and knowing when to step back from things that drain your energy. It’s not selfish; it’s self-preservation. By protecting your time and energy, you create space for the things that truly matter.

2. Try Mindfulness

Mindfulness doesn’t have to mean meditating on a mountain. It can be as simple as noticing your breath or tuning into the sounds around you. 

One of my favorite ways to practice mindfulness is sitting on my porch soaking in the sunshine, smelling the fresh air, and listening to nature. For those few moments, everything feels a bit more peaceful, no matter what I'm going through.

3. Move Your Body

Exercise doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym every day, that just happens to be my passion when it comes to movement. But, you should find movement you enjoy—whether it’s taking a walk, doing yoga, or dancing around your living room. Movement helps release those feel-good endorphins that boost your mood.

4. Write Down Your Thoughts

Sometimes, your mind feels like it’s spinning in circles, and writing things down can help. You don’t have to be a writer to do this. Journaling gives you a place to unload your worries and even track what’s been triggering you. Plus, there’s something freeing about getting those thoughts out of your head and onto the page. 

5. Reach Out for Help When You Need It

Therapy isn’t just for crises—it’s a tool for growth. A therapist can give you personalized support and strategies to continue bettering yourself. It’s become a regular part of my life, and I think it always will be. 

Just as you need to continue working out to stay physically fit, you need to continue being intentional with ongoing care to your mental health. Some days, you’ll feel strong; other days, it’ll feel like the world is on your shoulders. That’s okay. The key is finding what helps you—whether it’s setting boundaries, journaling, moving your body, or leaning on someone who understands.

I still have days where I feel like I’m barely holding it together. But by showing up for myself in small ways, I remind myself that I’m worth the effort. And so are you. Whether you’re thriving today or just getting out of bed, you’re making progress. 

Celebrate the small wins—you’re doing more than you realize. <3