Top Tip for Better Mental Health is to Avoid Dehydration
This week is Mental Health Week and our thoughts turn to ways in which we can help people cope and feel better. The most common conditions relating to mental health include anxiety, depression, personality and eating disorders to schizophrenia and addiction.
Depression is more that just feeling sad and can affect anyone at any age and from any background. It is a serious illness that is caused by brain chemistry. Many factors can contribute to imbalances in brain chemicals including genetics, medical conditions, changes in hormone levels and stress.
At the other end of the spectrum thoughts can turn to self-harm and suicide. For every 100 people suffering from depression, 17 have suicidal thoughts and 1 in 3 people harm themselves. It is widely known that suicide is the biggest killer in males under 50.
Developing a better understanding of depression and mental health will help reduce the associated stigma and encourage those suffering to seek support. It is very hard to prevent depression but there are some things that can be done to promote a healthy mind.
Be sure to get enough sleep and exercise regularly, perhaps also take up a hobby or interest. Eat a healthy and balanced diet and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Oftentimes we are connected with some form of stress at our place of work. Staying healthy and alert is key for maintaining both morale amongst employees and achieving healthy productivity levels. Simply put if you are happy in your work, you will be more likely to turn up every day. But you will also be motivated to do a good job and every employer loves the idea of a contented workforce. So how do we help ensure that we come into work with the best attitude possible? It’s not rocket science, but it is also surprising to learn that so many offices and other establishments are still falling short in tackling the issues of proper hydration. Here we look at a few well-proven tips and why it is so vital to top up on water throughout the day no matter how busy you happen to be!
Understanding Mental Health
There are both physical and emotional symptoms of mental health depression that range from low self-esteem to feeling anxious and worried. Perhaps poor sleep patterns, no energy and motivation, feeling sad and low mood. Appetite can be diminished or increased.
At the other end of the spectrum thoughts can turn to self-harm and suicide. For every 100 people suffering from depression, 17 have suicidal thoughts and 1 in 3 people harm themselves. It is widely known that suicide is the biggest killer in males under 50.
Developing a better understanding of depression and mental health will help reduce the associated stigma and encourage those suffering to seek support. It is very hard to prevent depression but there are some things that can be done to promote a healthy mind.
Be sure to get enough sleep and exercise regularly, perhaps also take up a hobby or interest. Eat a healthy and balanced diet and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Good Hydration Helps Mental Health
Food and drink does affect mood. By exploring your diet you can gain tips for improving your mental wellbeing through healthy eating. Good hydration is also vital. If you don’t drink enough fluid, you may find it difficult to concentrate or think clearly. Your digestive system can also become sluggish and puts no one in a good mood. Water is a cheap and healthy option and it is recommended that you drink between 6-8 glasses of fluid a day. Tea, coffee, juices and smoothies do count towards your intake but be aware that these also contain caffeine and naturally occurring sugars. Research has shown that the greater the water consumption, the better the mood. Tension, depression and confusion decreased when water intake went up. Mood improved, as well as energy levels and satisfaction. To prove this point the researchers monitored those who regularly drank plenty of water to decrease their intake. As a result the low water intake led to worse moods, more headaches, confusion and tiredness. Keeping hydrated is very important to us all. If you suffer with anxiety and stress, getting even a little dehydrated can cause feelings akin to panic: dry mouth, flushing, light-headedness, headache etc. Getting enough fluid may not cure stresses, but it can at least stop an unnecessary panic due to dehydration. We know that water is best, so try to drink it every day. Try avoiding alcohol, caffeine and fizzy drinks as they can have the opposite effect. By the time we become thirsty, experts suggest that it is too late to avoid many of the effects of dehydration.Wellbeing in the Workplace
Even though the phrase ‘wellbeing’ has been around for some time, let’s think what this means when it comes to how we behave and act and what our needs really are. Wellbeing is about ensuring that we do all we can to stay safe, healthy and happy whatever we are doing.
Oftentimes we are connected with some form of stress at our place of work. Staying healthy and alert is key for maintaining both morale amongst employees and achieving healthy productivity levels. Simply put if you are happy in your work, you will be more likely to turn up every day. But you will also be motivated to do a good job and every employer loves the idea of a contented workforce. So how do we help ensure that we come into work with the best attitude possible? It’s not rocket science, but it is also surprising to learn that so many offices and other establishments are still falling short in tackling the issues of proper hydration. Here we look at a few well-proven tips and why it is so vital to top up on water throughout the day no matter how busy you happen to be!