Advocacy

OVERALL HEALTH A KEY TO MENTAL HEALTH

pril 4-10 is National Public Health Week. The theme this year is focusing on the three “Ps”: Prevent, Protect and Plan, with a goal of utilizing more effective screening techniques to diagnose physical and mental illnesses before they subject an individual to increased pain and suffering. It is well known that many people suffer from mental illnesses without being diagnosed. It is also worth noting that being healthier physically can have a positive impact on our mental health. National Public Health Week provides a good opportunity to examine our lifestyles for changes that could improve our overall health.

A good way to approach this is by examining your eating and exercise habits. How often and what do you eat? Are you eating enough fruits and vegetables? Are you eating too much junk food? Are you getting enough exercise? Are you drinking enough water? Based on these answers, you can begin to see what changes may be necessary in your diet and exercise schedule.

Consulting your doctor is a great way to get information on healthy eating and an exercise regime that is right for your stage of life. Regular doctor visits are a key part of preventive medicine, and diagnosing conditions early is critical to minimizing their impact on your overall health. It is generally recommended that each person gets 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five times a week. However, it is important to note that what is comfortable and effective for one person may not be so for somebody else, which is another good reason to talk to your doctor.
 

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More information about National Public Health Week can be found at www.apha.org/NPHW.