Mental Health Isn’t Optional: What Works, What Matters, & Why
A practical guide to supporting your mind and body in a high-stress world, with habits that actually help.
One in four adults experience a mental health issue each year.
These issues are common. Many people hide them. They don’t talk about how they feel and they keep going until they break down.
Mental health affects how you think, how you feel, how you act.
It impacts your energy, focus, mood, relationships, and ability to function.
Mental health is not a trend. It is a core part of your health.
This article explains what mental health is, how it affects your life, and what you can do to take care of it.
Understanding Mental Health
What it means:
Mental health includes your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
It affects how you manage stress, regulate emotions, make decisions, and relate to others.
Mental illness refers to patterns that cause distress or make daily life harder. It includes depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more.
What it’s not:
It’s not about being weak.
It’s not just “in your head.”
It’s not always obvious to others.
People often hide or mask what they’re feeling. That’s why awareness matters.
You must gain self-awareness.
How Mental Health Affects Your Life
Your body
Poor mental health can lead to high blood pressure, sleep problems, fatigue, and pain. It can raise the risk for chronic disease. Stress affects your immune system, hormones, and digestion.Your work and interpersonal relationships
Mental health impacts how you communicate, handle conflict, and make decisions. When ignored, it can cause burnout, misunderstandings, mistakes, or isolation.Your future
Without support, symptoms often get worse. Seeking care early prevents long-term problems.
The Problem With Stigma
Stigma causes silence. It makes people hide and it delays care.
Where it comes from:
Lack of education.
Cultural pressure to “be strong.”
Misunderstanding about what mental illness is.
How to reduce it:
Speak with respect.
Share facts, not judgment.
Treat mental health like physical health, but for your mind.
Have an open mind and objective point of view.
The more we talk, the more people get help.
How to Take Care of Your Mental Health
Daily actions that help:
Practice yoga and meditation.
Go to bed at the same time each night.
Walk or move your body every day.
Eat real food. Avoid excess sugar and alcohol.
Breathe deeply for a few minutes each day.
Resistance training or high intensity exercise.
Drink optimal amounts of water and electrolytes.
Spend time with people who make you feel safe.
When to seek help:
When you don’t feel like yourself.
You feel low, anxious, or numb most days.
You avoid people or tasks.
You can’t sleep, focus, or eat well.
You think about giving up.
You have thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Your activities of daily living are no longer being performed.
Talking to a health care professional like a licensed therapist or licensed mental health counselor can help and be very beneficial. You don’t have to do it alone.
Real-Life Example
Jessica is a nurse.
She looked fine on the outside. She smiled at work and always helped others, but she felt empty and stressed all the time.
She started waking up in the middle of the night with panic. She thought she had to figure it out alone.
A friend gave her a mental health resource. She talked to a licensed therapist and learned about anxiety and nervous system patterns.
Jessica started walking every morning and breathing deeply before bed.
After a few months, she felt clearer, calmer, and more connected.
Final Thoughts
Mental health is part of everyday life.
It’s not separate from physical health. You don’t need to wait until you’re falling apart to care about it.
Taking care of your mind helps you show up for yourself and others.
Prioritizing your mental health helps you think clearly, feel steady, and respond to stress without shutting down.
Actionable Steps:
Share this article with someone you trust.
Start one daily habit that supports your mental health.
Save our free toolkit or send it to a friend.
Awareness leads to action. Action leads to change.
Thank you for reading this article.
NP Fellow’s Free Mental Health Toolkit
NP Fellow Free Mental Health Resource Toolkit
1. Crisis Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.)
Call or text 988 for free, 24/7 support.Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 for help via text.
2. Professional Help Locators
A Balanced Approach to Mental Health
Psychology Today
Search by location, insurance, and specialty.Therapy for Black Girls
Mental health support for Black women and girls.Open Path Collective
Affordable therapy options across the U.S.
3. Trusted Education & Self-Guided Tools
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Education, support groups, and programs.Mental Health America
Screening tools and resources for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more.The Mighty
Community stories, lived experience, and real-life coping tools.
4. Daily Mental Health Practices
Sleep: Go to bed at the same time each night. Reduce screen use before bed.
Daily movement: Walk outside daily, even for 10 minutes.
Nutrition: Eat real food. Limit sugar and alcohol. Stay hydrated.
Breathwork: Try 5 minutes of slow, deep breathing once per day.
Social Connection: Text someone. Share a meal. Spend time in safe company.
Resistance training and high-intensity exercise.
5. Suggested Apps
The Calm App - the #1 app for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation. Sleep better, relieve stress, lower anxiety and refocus your attention.
Insight Timer – Free meditations and calming audio
Moodfit – Track mood, sleep, and daily habits
Sanvello – Self-guided support for stress, anxiety, and depression
Shine – Daily check-ins and mental health support for BIPOC communities
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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
Thanks Jess! Great write up. Having mental health issues doesn’t mean you’re weak, if you focus on solutions your health will grow. Thanks for all the resources!
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