Illistration Essay

English Composition I

Professor Dub

February 9, 2006

Keep Your Mind Healthy

Good mental health habits assist in keeping your mind healthy and clear. Because our minds are not separate from the rest us, we need to make sure we take care of our minds as well as our bodies. When people are distressed, physical health is also affected, and our spirits fade. The state of mind is a starting point for many physical conditions. Our personal relationships and work abilities are affected by both physical and mental health issues. Lives can even be endangered when people are stressed, depressed, anxious, or grief-stricken.

Mental and emotional health usually refers to a person's thoughts, feelings and actions, particularly when faced with life's challenges and stresses. Many minor mental health problems can be relieved by some common-sense measure. Some of theses measures are to have good sleep, diet, and exercise habits. Making sure you get enough sleep at night, eat right by avoiding caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs, and engaging in physical activities, are the first steps to a health mind and body. Physical activities does not necessarily need to mean jogging a 5K; just do something that is fun for you, whether it is going to the movies or spending time with friends.

Another suggestion is to attend to your spiritual needs, by meditation or through prayer - whatever suits you. If you have never meditated before, try sitting comfortably in a quiet room, and think of something peaceful. Imagine yourself sitting on beach, enjoying your surroundings, watching the sun slowly set. Hopefully, by the time the sun reaches the horizon, you will feel better and your mind will be clearer.

If prayer and/or meditation do not work, try making a list of things to do, and deal with the most stressful one first to get it out of the way. Sometimes a large project can weigh more on your mind than you think. When you know you only have minor things left, those things seem a little less stressful. If your day is free, yet you find yourself stressed or have anxiety, try making a list of things that are troubling you, then fold it and put it away. Just let it go for a day. There is nothing wrong with taking a day to yourself, read a book, catch up on some correspondence,