Facts on & Massage for Mental Health

What do we mean by mental health?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:

  • Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
  • Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
  • Family history of mental health problems

Mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.

Early Warning Signs

Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:

  • Eating or sleeping too much or too little
  • Pulling away from people and usual activities
  • Having low or no energy
  • Feeling numb or like nothing matters
  • Having unexplained aches and pains
  • Feeling helpless or hopeless
  • Smoking, drinking or using drugs more than usual
  • Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
  • Yelling or fighting with family and friends
  • Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
  • Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
  • Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
  • Thinking of harming yourself or others
  • Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

Mental Health and Wellness

Positive mental health allows people to:

  • Realize their full potential
  • Cope with the stresses of life
  • Work productively
  • Make meaningful contributions to their communities

Ways to maintain positive mental health include:

  • Getting professional help if you need it
  • Connecting with others
  • Staying positive
  • Getting physically active
  • Helping others
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Developing coping skills

Ten Things You Can Do for Your Mental Health

1. Value yourself:

Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects, or broaden your horizons. Do a daily crossword puzzle, plant a garden, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument, or become fluent in another language.

2. Take care of your body:

Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health. Be sure to:

  • Eat nutritious meals
  • Avoid smoking and vaping– see Cessation Help
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Exercise, which helps decrease depression and anxiety and improve moods
  • Get enough sleep. Researchers believe that lack of sleep contributes to a high rate of depression in college students.

3. Surround yourself with good people:

People with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support network. Make plans with supportive family members and friends, or seek out activities where you can meet new people, such as a club, class, or support group.

4. Give yourself:

Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else. You’ll feel good about doing something tangible to help someone in need — and it’s a great way to meet new people.

5. Learn how to deal with stress:

Like it or not, stress is a part of life. Practice good coping skills: Try One-Minute Stress Strategies, do Tai Chi, exercise, take a nature walk, play with your pet or try journal writing as a stress reducer. Also, remember to smile and see the humor in life. Research shows that laughter can boost your immune system, ease pain, relax your body and reduce stress.

6. Quiet your mind:

Try meditating, Mindfulness, and/or prayer. Relaxation exercises and prayer can improve your state of mind and outlook on life. In fact, research shows that meditation may help you feel calm and enhance the effects of therapy.

7. Set realistic goals:

Decide what you want to achieve academically, professionally, and personally, and write down the steps you need to realize your goals. Aim high, but be realistic and don’t over-schedule. You’ll enjoy a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self-worth as you progress toward your goal.

8. Break up the monotony:

Although our routines make us more efficient and enhance our feelings of security and safety, a little change of pace can perk up a tedious schedule. Alter your jogging route, plan a road trip, take a walk in a different park, hang some new pictures or try a new restaurant.

9. Avoid alcohol and other drugs:

Keep alcohol use to a minimum and avoid other drugs. Sometimes people use alcohol and other drugs to “self-medicate” but in reality, alcohol and other drugs only aggravate problems.

10. Get help when you need it:

Seeking help is a sign of strength — not a weakness. And it is important to remember that treatment is effective. People who get appropriate care can recover from mental illness and addiction and lead full, rewarding lives.

 

 

What are the types of mental health?
Types of mental illness
  • mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder)
  • anxiety disorders.
  • personality disorders.
  • psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
  • eating disorders.
  • trauma-related disorders (such as post-traumatic stress disorder)
  • substance abuse disorders.
Why is mental health important?
It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and aging.
Can mental health be cured?
Treatment can involve both medications and psychotherapy, depending on the disease and its severity. At this time, most mental illnesses cannot be cured, but they can usually be treated effectively to minimize the symptoms and allow the individual to function in work, school, or social environments.
What is poor mental health?
Simply put, this is when our mental health is not what we would want it to be. Finding it difficult to manage how we think, feel, act with respect to daily stresses could be a sign of poor mental health. Having continuous episodes of mental ill-health could indicate a problem.
What causes poor mental health?
For example, the following factors could potentially result in a period of poor mental health: childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect. social isolation or loneliness. experiencing discrimination and stigma.
What foods improve mental health?
To boost your mental health, focus on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables along with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon. Dark green leafy vegetables in particular are brain protective. Nuts, seeds, and legumes, such as beans and lentils, are also excellent brain foods.
Which fruit is good for depression?
The researchers narrowed down the top 10 raw fruits and vegetables they found to be associated with better mental health and fewer symptoms of depression. These include carrots, dark leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, cucumber, apples, bananas, grapefruit, other citrus fruits, fresh berries, and kiwifruit.
What food helps anxiety?
  • Brazil nuts. Share on Pinterest Brazil nuts contains selenium, which may help to improve mood. …
  • Fatty fish. Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, and herring, are high in omega-3. …
  • Eggs. …
  • Pumpkin seeds. …
  • Dark chocolate. …
  • Turmeric. …
  • Chamomile. …
  • Yogurt.
Are bananas good for mental health?
Yes, bananas are great for having a healthy mind. Eating bananas can help in enhancing your mood. This is because bananas affect tryptophan – an amino acid that helps in the production of serotonin. Tryptophan also helps in improving sleep and regulates the intake of food.
Is milk good for depression?
Skim milk, yogurt, low-fat cheeses, and other dairy products are rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein. These are great for your body for many reasons, including fighting depression.
Are oranges good for depression?
All citrus fruits including oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines contain Vitamin C, so adding any citrus fruits to your diet will help you fight depression, but Temple oranges have a very high concentration of Vitamin C and are highly recommended to fight depression.
What foods make you happy?
These foods will boost your mood and make you happy
  • Quinoa. …
  • Salmon. …
  • Mushrooms. …
  • Dark chocolate. …
  • Foods with probiotics – i.e. kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut. …
  • B6 vitamins – poultry, leafy greens, beef. …
  • Grapes. …
  • Folic acid – bok choy, turnip greens.
What is the 3 3 3 rule for anxiety?
Then, name three sounds you hear. Finally, move three parts of your body — your ankle, fingers, or arm. Whenever you feel your brain going 100 miles per hour, this mental trick can help center your mind, bringing you back to the present moment, Chansky says.
What foods are bad for anxiety?
If you eat lots of processed meat, fried food, refined cereals, candy, pastries, and high-fat dairy products, you’re more likely to be anxious and depressed. A diet full of whole fiber-rich grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish can help keep you on a more even keel.
Which fruit is best for the brain?
  • 10 Super Fruits for a Healthy Brain That Everyone Must Know. Save. …
  • Blueberries. A powerful little fruit, the blueberry is loaded with important vitamins and nutrients, including antioxidants. …
  • Raspberries. …
  • Strawberries. …
  • Blackcurrants. …
  • Grapes. …
  • Pomegranate. …
  • Avocados.
What drinks are good for depression?
  • Best for reducing anxiety: Chamomile tea.
  • Best for sleep problems: St. John’s wort tea.
  • Best for improving mood: Lemon balm tea.
  • Best for multiple health benefits: Green tea.
  • Best for a calming effect: Ashwagandha tea.
Is there a happy pill?
“Happy pills” — in particular the anxiolytic drugs Miltown and Valium and the antidepressant Prozac — have been spectacularly successful “products” over the last 5 decades, largely because they have widespread off-label use. Miltown, launched in the 1950s, was the first “blockbuster” psychotropic drug in the US.
Is coffee good for depression?
Studies reviewed in the meta-analysis show coffee’s anti-inflammatory properties are associated with decreased depression. Caffeine blocks mood-depressing chemicals in the brain. Caffeine blocks receptors in the brain from binding with a chemical (adenosine) that causes fatigue and depressed mood.
What is the happy hormone?
Dopamine: Often called the “happy hormone,” dopamine results in feelings of well-being. A primary driver of the brain’s reward system, it spikes when we experience something pleasurable.
What’s the 54321 method?
The 54321 grounding technique is simple, yet powerful. Like gradually attaching anchors to the boat, this method slowly pulls you back to earth. First, take a moment to become mindful of your breath. Just a few deep breaths invite your body back into the moment, slowing everything down.

Massage for Mental Health

Is massage good for mental health?
A single massage can have a positive influence on psychological health – research findings show it can improve state anxiety, negative mood, and experience of physical pain. Whereas, multiple massages can positively affect more enduring variables, including trait anxiety, depression, and delayed assessment of pain.
What are the psychological benefits of massage?
Massage can increase the release of endorphins such as serotonin and dopamine. Endorphins are released during times of happiness and relaxation. Low levels of endorphins are common within people managing a mental health problem due to the stress associated.
What type of massage is best for depression?
Shiatsu massage is best for people who want to feel relaxed and relieve stress, pain, and tension. It’s a Japanese type of massage that: promotes emotional and physical calm and relaxation. helps to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.
What are the physical and mental benefits of massage?
Massage therapy has been known to lower stress, decrease anxiety, and reduce irritability. Along with increasing brain serotonin and dopamine, the combination of these effects leads to a happier individual.
Is massage good for mental health?
A single massage can have a positive influence on psychological health – research findings show it can improve state anxiety, negative mood, and experience of physical pain. Whereas, multiple massages can positively affect more enduring variables, including trait anxiety, depression, and delayed assessment of pain.
Can massage release emotions?
Most people who receive massage regularly report feeling relief, a sense of peace, or increased relaxation. However, some people may also experience a sudden rush of powerful emotion while receiving bodywork. Whether it is grief, euphoria, anger, fear, or sadness, the phenomenon is known as an emotional release.
A growing body of research supports the positive impact of massage therapy for relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. 

 

In the United States, almost half of adults will experience a mental health challenge during their lifetime. A growing body of research is supporting the positive impact of massage therapy for the relief of stress, anxiety, and depression. In fact, many studies indicate it can provide benefits similar to psychotherapy for certain conditions. Read on to learn more about the ways massage can improve mental health and well-being.

Massage Therapy Can Relieve Stress

Stress is prevalent in today’s fast-paced world and can negatively affect people’s health and well-being. Massage therapy has been shown to significantly reduce stress on both physical and psychological levels. While massage therapists know from experience that massage reduces stress, there is also considerable research that validates our experience.

Related Studies

  • In a study on the effects of trigger point therapy, there was a significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure.
  • Measures of oxygen consumption, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol levels were all lower after a 10-to-15 minute chair massage in controlled studies.
  • Research shows that massage for nurses during work hours can help to reduce stress and related symptoms, including headaches, shoulder tension, insomnia, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain.

Massage Therapy for Anxiety

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 40 million adult Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety can negatively shape the quality of life for individuals affected. Massage therapy can be an effective treatment by elevating neurotransmitters associated with lowering anxiety and decreasing hormones associated with increasing anxiety.

Related Studies

  • Research supports that massage can relieve stress in psychiatric patients, those with chronic pain, cancer patients, children with illnesses, patients with generalized anxiety disorder, the elderly, and healthy adults.
  • Research published in Applied Nursing Research shows that back massage given during chemotherapy can significantly reduce anxiety and acute fatigue.
  • A study published in Military Medicine reports that military veterans indicated significant reductions in ratings of anxiety, worry, depression, and physical pain after massage. The analysis also suggests declining levels of tension and irritability following massage.

Massage Therapy for Depression + Seasonal Affective Disorder

For many who suffer from depression, the first solution is psychotherapy, where a person sees a trained mental health professional to talk (and at times medication is prescribed). Now, people are also beginning to better understand how a combination of treatment options can be beneficial, and massage therapy is showing great promise in alleviating depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Related Studies

  • The effect of massage therapy on trait anxiety and depression is virtually the same as those routinely found in the research studies of psychotherapy for people with the same conditions.
  • Research indicates that massage can improve mood and reduce depression in those living with chronic pain, as well as in cancer patients, pregnant women, and people living with chronic disease.
  • One in five Americans is impacted by Seasonal Affective Disorder; leaving many people feeling depressed and lethargic. Studies show that regular massages can improve mood and reset circadian rhythms, leading to improved mood, better sleep, and more energy.
 more info at:

https://www.cdc.gov/hrqol/wellbeing.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_health

https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/index.htm

 

 

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*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
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