So, what is mental health? The CDC defines mental health as “emotional, psychological, and social well-being.”

This includes conducting healthy behaviors and having healthy emotional attachments to others, including peers and family, as well as taking care of yourself.

The importance of mental health and well-being is often ignored, yet it is crucial in order to manage stress and to maintain a positive attitude, as well as being able to work productively.

However, there are many cases where there is a decline in mental health. Such declines can be from factors such as: “personal life and relationships, money, work and housing, life changes, health issues, traumatic life events, smoking, alcohol, gambling, and drug misuse” (National Health Service, UK).

While these are all challenges that may arise in one’s lifetime, especially stress faced in everyday lives, these stressors must be managed in a way so that mental health can be maintained.

Especially as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the pandemic has made it increasingly difficult to maintain mental health for a lot of people.

Tips on maintaining mental health

1. Take breaks. It is important to take breaks, especially when facing lots of stress, or if you are overworked.

2. Make sure to get enough sleep. According to health.gov, teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night. It is important to turn off all technology during the night in order to get into a deep sleep.

3. Practice mindfulness. According to Psychology Today, mindfulness is “a state of active, open attention to the present. This state is described as observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad.”

Especially during the Pandemic, where people are isolated from others around them, it is important to be able to look into your mind at this moment, and live at the moment. In addition, it is important to be accepting of all your feelings and emotions that you are currently facing.

4. Create hobbies and interests. These can range from reading books to biking outside.

After asking other students about their knowledge on mental health, Tori Hwang mentioned how “mental health is very important, especially times like these.

I think it should be treated as importantly as physical health.” In addition, Richard Hernandez mentioned how “in order to be truly healthy you need both mental and physical health.”

Mental health is not only important to be maintained, but it must be done effectively so that you can do your best and accomplish the goals that you have.

<Jiwoo You / Irvine HS 11th Grade>