We live in a world that constantly deflects the importance of mental well-being. We often praise the one who works the longest hours or who is the busiest as the most hardworking one. We teach our people to miss sleep in the constant hustle and bustle of our daily lives and never miss a work deadline, even if you are utterly exhausted.
However, the same culture refuses to acknowledge the importance of being mentally and emotionally healthy. And this is a shame because our mental health is one of the most important factors contributing to our productivity and focus. As a result, you might miss the signs that you are not taking care of your mental health. You might be accepting stress, fatigue, and constant anxiety as regular occurrences. However, they could be much deeper than that.
Here are five signs that you are not taking care of your mental health:
1. Sleep Disruptions
Poor sleeping patterns could be a big sign that you are not taking care of your mental health properly. Be it difficulty in staying asleep or trouble going to sleep all together — everything could be a sign of a lurking mental health concern.
According to Columbia University’s Department of Psychiatry, sleep problems can contribute to the onset or worsening of several mental health issues, including:
- depression,
- anxiety, and
- even suicidal thoughts.
Read more: Master Your Sleep & Be More Alert When Awake
2. Your productivity at tasks is going down
Performance issues at work, in educational institutions, or even home could be a huge red flag pointing toward some mental health issues. You might want to check in with yourself if you are:
- missing work deadlines,
- falling behind at school or college, or
- Constantly getting overwhelmed.
3. You constantly feel tired
If you are constantly feeling tired, there might be something that you are not addressing right. According to research by the Journal of Psychosomatic Research suggest a significant overlap between constant fatigue and psychiatric disorders. It also points out that 7% of people might have fatigue without any additional mental illness. That being said, common mental disorders, including anxiety and depression, might cause the feeling of constantly being tired in most individuals.
4. Unexplained physical issues
If you have been experiencing unexplained pain and ache in your body, it might be due to underlying mental health issues. Contrary to overly popular beliefs, mental illnesses can significantly affect physical health.
According to Healthline, mental illnesses can cause several physical symptoms, including:
- muscle tension,
- headaches,
- insomnia,
- brain fog, etc.
5. You are feeling easily irritable, anxious, and on edge.
It is human to have fleeting moments of feeling absolutely frustrated. However, if you have been constantly at the edge, you might be dealing with symptoms of burnout or mental stress.
According to Psychology Today, irritability and increased anxiousness could result from mental stress, burnout, and anxiety disorders.
Read more: Top Anger Management Classes Explained.
Conclusion:
We hope with this list of signs that you are not taking care of your mental health, you might be able to figure out the problem. If you feel that the issues you are facing need professional help, do not hesitate. Finding professional help has gotten even more accessible with online therapy platforms. To know more about them, click here.
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