The month of January is Mental Wellness Month. The aim is to prioritize mental well-being, establish healthy habits and bring together one’s thought before starting the new year.
Mental wellness is the foundation that shapes our thoughts and emotions. It helps connect and function and is an active process that helps one to grow and flourish.
The reason January is the awareness month is because it is when many people search for resolutions to mental strain. Holidays end, and with that, comes soul searching for the new year.
“Mental wellness is important because people typically get seasonal depression or get sick during the January season,” said senior Mary Richardson, “They get overwhelmed with schoolwork. Teachers like to load schoolwork during this time, so it’s important to know how to cope with stressors”
According to Indian Journal of Psychiatry, there is a difference between mental wellness and the absence of mental illness. One can be mentally well even with mental illness, and one can be mentally struggling with the absence of mental illness. It is a common misconception, and it all depends on having good relationships, life satisfaction or maybe even personal growth levels.
There is the typical “new year, new you” cliché during the early new year. People set new goals that often get abandoned later on. Another reason January was named Mental Wellness Month was to carry the idea longer so people can resolve dilemmas in their lives with consistency.
Mental wellness is important because it comes to daily life. It affects how people think, and function. It affects decision making and communication. From a healthcare standpoint, mental wellness levels can be linked to how susceptible one is to a weakened immune system and therefore getting sick.
The U.S. News suggests that one practices mindfulness and moves one body to increase positive wellbeing. Another suggesting ius nourishing social connections and taking breaks and pauses in activities.
Mental wellness is a foundational component of overall health. January serves as a reminder to recognize the effects of mental wellness. As the new year comes, it is important to manage mental wellness to maintain a healthy, flourishing lifestyle.
