Popular Science of Mental Health Knowledge
1. What is mental health?
Mental health is a good and continuous psychological state and process. It is manifested by individuals having vitality, positive inner experiences, good social adaptation, the ability to effectively tap into personal physical and mental potential, and exhibiting positive social functions as a member of society.
2. Ten Standards of Mental Health
1. Experience moderate feelings of security;
2. Have a sufficient understanding of oneself and be able to make appropriate evaluations of one’s own abilities;
3. Life dreams and goals are realistic;
4. Maintain good contact with the real environment;
5. Maintain the integrity and harmony of personality;
6. Have a certain learning ability;
7. Maintain good interpersonal relationships;
8. Be able to express and control one’s emotions moderately;
9. Under the premise of group requirements, effectively display one’s individuality;
10. Under the premise of social norms, adequately meet personal basic needs.
3. What factors affect mental health?
1. Biological factors
Including genetic factors, viral infections and physical illnesses, brain injuries, and other factors.
2. Social factors
Nobody has a smooth-sailing life. In university, we may experience negative life events such as exam failures and competition losses. When these negative events exceed our normal coping ability, they can have a negative impact on our mental health.
We are constantly growing, and the environment we live in is constantly changing. When we first enter university, we may not adapt to living in a university dormitory or like the learning mode that is completely different from high school.
3. Psychological factors
When a person is in a negative emotional state, it not only lowers their self-awareness and evaluation but also hampers problem-solving speed due to nervousness, fear, and irritability, leading to an impasse where a certain problem “always” seems unsolvable.
Self-deprecation causes us to lose our confidence and mess up things we could have done well.
Being sensitive and suspicious reduces personal emotional resilience, leading to a state of constant tension and anxiety, ultimately resulting in psychological breakdown and loss of self-confidence.
People who avoid social interactions fear making a fool of themselves in public, strongly fear rejection and dislike by others, and are afraid of being perceived as nervous, vulnerable, foolish, and contemptible. This makes it difficult for us to trust others and build intimate relationships with them.
4. How to maintain mental health
1. Learn self-comfort and self-relaxation techniques. Practices like yoga, jogging, listening to music, playing sports, etc., can help one relax to a certain extent.
2. Develop a regular routine. Balancing work and rest and adjusting sleep patterns. Mild worries and discomfort usually disappear after a good night’s sleep.
3. Engage in positive self-suggestions. Think about past successful experiences in handling situations, reflect on your own strengths, reward yourself for your efforts in life and studies. You can tell yourself: I am irreplaceable, in the same situation, others might not do as well as I do!
4. Use diet to relieve discomfort. After experiencing situations like irritability, palpitations, and insomnia, eat more legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, reduce the intake of red meat, avoid stimulating drinks like coffee, strong tea, and alcohol. Eat fewer spicy and pungent foods like peppers, mustard, Sichuan pepper, garlic, onions, ginger, which are hot and irritating.
5. Establish a psychological support system. This includes friends, family, teachers, and psychologists. When feeling depressed and unable to resolve it, actively reach out to them, communicate positively, and seek help. Normally, no one wants someone’s condition to worsen; we are all willing to help those in need!
Source: Xining Communist Youth League
Contributed by the Party and Mass Work Department
