May is Mental Health Month

Four friends talkingMental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable.

So much of what we do physically impacts us mentally―it’s important for us to pay attention to both our physical health and our mental health, which can help us achieve overall wellness and set us on a path to recovery.

This May for Mental Health Month, HealthStreet is raising awareness about the connection between physical health and mental health.

A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems. It can also play a big role in helping people recover from these conditions.

Taking good care of your body is an integrated approach to mental health. This includes eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising, and getting enough sleep.

Stress can also have a huge impact on all aspects of our health, so it’s important to take time to focus on stress-reducing activities like meditation or yoga. HealthStreet offers free yoga classes on Monday and Thursday nights, so if you’re in Gainesville, come by and check it out!

HealthStreet wants everyone to know that mental illnesses are real, and recovery is always the goal. If you need help reaching that goal, we offer a Free Therapy Night through the University of Florida Equal Access Clinics, to anyone who is otherwise unable to afford mental health services (e.g., uninsured or under-insured). Call 352-294-4880 for more information.

Living a healthy lifestyle may not be easy, but by looking at your overall health every day―both physically and mentally―you can go a long way in ensuring that you focus on your fitness.