Life is dynamic now; sometimes taking a hit and not losing motivation is difficult. Despondency, depression, anxiety. Mental state affects the physical. And often provokes the development of diseases. The question about mental health is fundamental. First, you should check your mental health to understand where to go next. Let’s figure it out!

5 Questions for Checking Mental Health

Many people suffer from fear, loneliness, disappointment, and grief and experience melancholy. How to take care of your mental state? Here are five questions to ask yourself every day.

1. How do I feel today?
It would seem like such a simple question, but have you ever considered how you feel? As a rule, we think more about other people and important things than about our own state. Assess whether you are currently under stress, anxiety, or worry. Are you well? Are you happy?

Use a scale from 1 to 10 to assess. Do this simple diagnosis of your mental state at the same time every day. Use a notebook or conduct an online assessment of your state. Are your numbers going down? Then, you should definitely pay attention to your mental well-being.

It is also important to pay attention to your physical condition. Are you well now? Does nothing hurt? Sometimes, psychological problems manifest themselves in the body.

• Stress often causes dizziness, body pain, and a skin rash. Constant tension can also worsen chronic health problems.
• Anxiety manifests itself in the body as headaches, abdominal pain, muscle tension (and therefore muscle pain), or frequent urination. Also, bruxism sometimes develops when a person involuntarily clenches their jaws, leading to tooth decay. Constant anxiety is dangerous for the health of the cardiovascular system, and this is not a complete list of problems that anxiety and the stress associated with it lead to.

Depression causes changes in appetite, weight loss, or weight gain. A person may feel a loss of strength and unexplained pain.

2. What has been bothering me lately?
Think about what has been weighing on you lately. Are you having problems at work or in relationships that are bothering you? Are you in a crisis? Write down all the things that are bothering you. What makes you feel confused, anxious, nervous, irritated, and angry? Also, try to keep a diary to record your feelings. Also, try to relax; for example, meditate or take a warm bath.

3. Am I meeting my body’s basic needs?
In the hustle and bustle of life, we often forget about our body’s needs. Do you eat right? Do you go to bed on time? Don’t forget about your basic needs—quality food, exercise, walks in the fresh air, and good sleep. These are simple but effective ways to stay healthy mentally and physically.

Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Are you eating nutrient-rich foods, including fruits and vegetables, and drinking enough water?
2. Do you exercise at least once a day?
3. Do you walk in the fresh air so that your body gets vitamin D?
4. Do you sleep 7 to 9 hours every night? Do you have insomnia?
5. Note that if you have problems with sleep or nutrition, this may be a sign of stress or depression.
6. Pay attention to mental and physical health, because they are closely interconnected.

4. What do I do to please myself?
You strive to do as many things as possible. But is there such an important item on your to-do list as pleasing yourself? After all, it is important to take care of yourself, no less than your family and loved ones.

How to add joy to your life:

1. Keep a gratitude journal and write down at least three things you are grateful for daily. This will help you get into a positive frame of mind.
2. Plan a short vacation, such as a hike in the mountains, a trip to the sea, or just a weekend getaway near home.
3. Get creative! Drawing, music, and other hobbies help you gain strength and relax your soul.

These are great ways to relieve stress. Find an activity you enjoy, or try to perform the simplest everyday actions creatively. For example, come up with a new dish or decorate your home to become even more comfortable. And when cleaning the apartment, turn on cheerful music that sets the mood. Watch movies that make you happy, play games with friends and children that bring you together, and just relax, meditate, or walk in nature. Spend time with family and friends, or just with your favorite pet.

5. Who supports me?
Having a strong support system from family, relatives, friends, and colleagues is important for your mental health. Who in your circle do you consider trustworthy, with whom you can confide? Sometimes, it is a spouse, mother or father, brother or sister, friend or girlfriend, colleague, or neighbor. How can you determine if someone can support you and if communication with them will benefit you?

A person can give good advice when asked for it:

• Is honest with you
• Respectful and trustworthy
• Can forgive your mistakes and knows how to admit his guilt
• Knows how to listen to you
• Your interests are important to him

Support groups are a great resource for finding people who can understand your problems. However, do not neglect talking to a professional psychologist!

The Primary Questions about Mental Health

Conduct a mental health assessment yourself. But do not hesitate to seek help from specialists.

Mood
How would you describe your mood most days?
Is it generally positive, negative, or mixed?
What emotions do you experience more during the day: positive (joy, delight, peace, awe) or negative (anger, sadness, anxiety)?

Inner Dialogue
Is your inner monologue more often self-critical or self-compassionate? Do you treat yourself like a friend?
Do you believe in success or expect failure when you try something new?
How do you react to your mistakes: do you scold yourself, or are you lenient?

Physical Health
How would you rate your physical condition in general?
How often do you sleep approximately 8 hours a night?
How much time do you devote to physical activity each week?

Relationships
Do you feel strongly connected to your family, friends, co-workers, and support network?
How often do you socialize with people outside of your home?
Do you have someone who can help you in an emergency?

Meaning and Purpose
What gives you a sense of meaning or purpose in your life (work, hobbies, helping others)?
Do you feel responsible for someone other than yourself?
Do you feel like your actions matter?

Competence
Are there activities in which you feel successful?
What areas of your life satisfy you?
Do you feel like you are a capable person overall?

Flow
How often do you get so immersed in an activity that you lose track of time?
Have you ever forgotten about time while working on a job or hobby?
Do you look forward to those activities?

Control and Autonomy
Do you feel in control of your life?
Do you have freedom of choice at work and at home?
Who makes the important decisions in your life: you or others?

Money and Resources
Do you have enough money to cover your basic needs?
Have you ever had to worry about food, shelter, or other basic things?
Do you have the resources to work effectively?

Fairness
Do you think the world is generally fair?
Do you face things that limit your opportunities?
Do you feel like you have an equal chance with others?

Life Satisfaction
How satisfied are you overall with your life?
Have you achieved your major goals, or are you moving toward them?
Is there anything important you would like to change in your life?

Take Care of Yourself

Are you feeling under the weather? It’s time to take care of yourself. At Bedre Health, we’re ready to be your partner in mental wellness. We provide personalized medication management and mental therapy services to individuals and families in Massachusetts. If you suffer from ADHD, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue, make an appointment with us! We’re here to help. We guarantee compassionate care. You deserve to live a happy, worry-free life. Find the strength to take the first step toward a better future. We are waiting for you.