Mental Wellness: How to Manage It.

Hey there! Let’s take a moment to talk about something we all deal with, but often don’t talk about enough: mental wellness.

Just like we go to the gym or eat healthy to take care of our bodies, our minds need regular care too. Mental wellness isn’t about being happy all the time it’s about being emotionally resilient, managing stress, and feeling balanced even when life throws us curveballs.

In this post, we’ll dive into:

• What affects our mental wellness (spoiler: it’s more than just stress)
• The signs to watch out for
• Real, actionable ways to take better care of your mind
• Changes in hormones, particularly around puberty, pregnancy, or menopause

What Actually Affects Mental Wellness

Mental health is super personal and complex. There’s no single cause, but rather a mix of things that can impact how we feel mentally and emotionally.

 1. Biological Factors

Sometimes, our mental health has a lot to do with how we’re wired:

• Family history of mental health conditions e.g. depression, anxiety, personality disorder.
• Brain chemistry (those tiny neurotransmitters have a big job)
• Chronic health issues like diabetes or long-term pain, traumatic head injury.
• Hormonal changes, especially during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause

 2. Psychological Experiences

Our past can leave a mark:

• Trauma or abuse, especially in childhood, emotional or physical abuse.
• Negative self-talk and low self-esteem
• Stressful ways of thinking such as always anticipating the worst, over thinking.

 3. Social & Environmental Stuff

Our surroundings really do matter:

• Financial &life stress, job pressure, school overload or relationship conflicts can lead to mental strain.
• Feeling alone or disconnected from people

• Substance abuse Alcohol or drug misuse can alter brain function and worsen mental health conditions.

   Cultural or social pressure to be or act a certain way Discrimination, stigma, or unrealistic societal expectations can contribute to poor mental wellness.                

Signs Your Mental Wellness Might Be Struggling

Here’s the thing: everyone has bad days. But if you’re noticing these signs more often than not, it might be time to check in with yourself:

• You feel down, anxious, or irritable most days
• You’re pulling away from friends and family
• Your sleep or appetite is out of whack
• You’re finding it hard to focus or feel motivated
• You’ve had thoughts of harming yourself (please seek help if this happens you're not alone)
• Withdrawal from social activities

 How to Take Care of Your Mental Wellness

You don’t need a full-blown crisis to work on your mental health. Here are some tools and strategies that can help whether you’re in survival mode or just trying to stay balanced.

 1. Reach Out for Professional Support

Therapists and counselors aren’t just for when things are really bad they’re like personal trainers for your mind.

• Talk therapy like CBT(Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)  can help you untangle negative thought patterns.
• Medication may be helpful in some cases talk to a doctor about what’s right for you
• Support groups are great for connection and perspective

 2. Daily Mental Wellness Habits

You’d be surprised how much the little things matter.

• Move your body walk, dance, yoga, whatever feels good.
• Eat nutrient-rich foods (your brain loves omega-3s and leafy greens)
• Stick to a sleep schedule and create a bedtime wind-down routine
• Try mindfulness or meditation.
• Take breaks from social media comparison is the thief of joy, remember.

 3. Build a Support Network

Whether it's friends, family, or even a coworker you trust, having people you can talk to makes a huge difference. Don't be afraid to say, “Hey, I’m struggling a bit right now.”

When to Get Help

Let’s be clear: needing support doesn’t mean you’re weak it means you’re human.

Please consider talking to a mental health professional if,

• You’re feeling overwhelmed most days
• You’ve lost interest in things you used to love
• You’re having dark or harmful thoughts

Help is out there, and there’s zero shame in asking for it.

 Final Thoughts

Mental wellness isn’t a destination it’s an ongoing practice. There will be ups and downs, and that’s okay. What matters most is how you care for yourself during those dips and what tools you use to come back stronger.

So today, take a moment. Breathe. Check in with yourself. You’re doing better than you think and you deserve to feel well, inside and out.

Stay kind to yourself.