Mental health is a major concern in America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one in five adults have some form of mental illness, and most people don’t get the help they need.
More than half of Americans say they’ve had some form of mental health problem in the past year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). About 45% of those people report spending time in jail or prison due to their condition, and nearly one-third say they’ve lost their job because of it.
The CDC estimates that 10 million American adults with serious mental illnesses received no treatment in the previous year.
Many Americans seem to treat mental health as a secondary concern — something you deal with if you have extra money or time after dealing with physical health problems like cancer or diabetes. But our brains are just as important as our hearts and lungs for staying healthy and happy over the long term. In fact, more than half of all deaths from heart disease can be attributed to depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse, according to NAMI’s 2018 Emotional Health Report Card: A State-by-State Report Card on Prevention and Treatment Needs.
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Get a K9 companion for mental health
Having a pet can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. But if you’re not sure about how much of a commitment it is to own a dog, consider getting a K9 companion instead.
K9 companions are trained service dogs that can help people with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here’s what you need to know before getting one:
What are K9 companions?
K9 companions are trained service animals that provide emotional support to people with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. They’re also referred to as psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) or emotional support animals (ESAs). They’re different from traditional therapy dogs because they’re specially trained for their roles in supporting people who have specific disabilities.
Taking care of your K9 companion
Keeping your dog happy is important. They’re a member of the family, after all. But what if you could give them something that makes them feel good without having to worry about any side effects?
That’s where CBD dog treats come in. Just like humans, dogs can benefit from the use of cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in cannabis plants.
Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until recently that researchers have been able to isolate specific compounds and study their effects on the body and mind.
In fact, at least one study has shown that CBD can help reduce anxiety and stress for both humans and dogs!
A healthy diet can have a big impact on mental health
A healthy diet can have a big impact on mental health.
It’s no secret that eating well is important for your physical health. But what about your mental health? The link between diet and mental health is complex, but there are some foods that are particularly good for our brains.
Here are five foods that you should include in your daily diet to help keep your brain healthy:
Berries – Berries are rich in antioxidants, which fight against free radicals that can damage cells and lead to inflammation and other problems like dementia. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, making them useful for relieving symptoms of depression such as fatigue and pain. Berries can be eaten fresh or dried in cereals and muesli, smoothies or juices.
Nuts – Nuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help the body produce dopamine – a chemical messenger involved in pleasure, motivation and reward. Dopamine helps regulate mood so having enough of it can help prevent depression by improving feelings of happiness and wellbeing. Nuts also contain vitamin E which protects neurons from damage caused by free radicals, helping to reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life.
Talking with friends is good for your mental health
If you’re feeling lonely or isolated, it can be hard to know how to reach out and make friends. You may have been told that it’s not healthy to spend too much time alone, but the truth is that having a few close friends can do wonders for your mental health and well-being.
Making friends as an adult can be challenging, especially if you’re new to a city or just starting out in your career. But there are plenty of ways to meet people — including online and in person — that don’t involve going out every night of the week.
Here are some steps to take when you want to meet new people:
Be yourself! Don’t try so hard to impress someone that you forget who you really are and what you love doing. The more comfortable you feel around new people, the easier it will be for them to see the real you and become interested in getting to know more about what makes you tick.
Be open-minded! Meeting new people can be intimidating at first, but don’t hold back from approaching someone because they look different from what your friend group looks like now or because they seem “too cool” for school. If someone catches your eye, go ahead and introduce yourself — even if it feels awkward at first!
Paying attention to your own wants and needs is healthy
Self-awareness is a skill that can be developed, and it’s one of the most important skills you can have.
Self-awareness is the ability to recognize your own thoughts, feelings and emotions. It’s knowing what makes you tick and what motivates you. It’s understanding how you react in different situations, so that you can make better choices.
You may be asking yourself, “How do I become more self-aware?” This is a very good question. The answer is by practicing mindfulness — being present and aware of what is happening right now in your life.
One way to do this is to pay attention to your own wants and needs. If you want something, stop for a moment and ask yourself why it would make you happy. For example, if you want a new car because your current one has been acting up lately and taking longer than usual to start up on cold days, then perhaps having a new car isn’t going to make much of a difference at all!
