Counseling Corner: Willowbrook Guidance Department shares tips to help students achieve overall health and well-being

As an American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) school, the Willowbrook Guidance Department follows the developmental counseling model, and counselors continuously work with students to ensure they develop skills for a lifetime of wellness.

May is Mental Health Month, and this year’s theme is “Fitness #4Mind4Body,” and the goal is to understand how the body’s various systems impact mental health, based on recent research. With the end of the school year approaching, the Guidance Department shares tips from Mental Health America to help students maintain overall wellness, so they can perform their best and support the Fitness #4Mind4Body goal. For more information about Mental Health Month, go to http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may.

Mental Health America is challenging individuals to make small changes, both mentally and physically, to create huge gains for overall health. They have shared the following strategies and suggestions:

• Mental 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. Paying attention to both your physical health and your mental health can help you achieve overall wellness and set you on a positive path.
• A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems. It also can help people recover from these conditions.
• Eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising and getting enough sleep can go a long way in making you both physically and mentally healthy.
• Getting the appropriate amount of exercise benefits nearly all aspects of a person’s health. Not only does exercise help control weight, it also improves mental health and chances of living longer and healthier.
• Recent research is connecting your gut health with your mental health. So, when it comes to diet and nutrition, it’s all about finding the right balance of nutrients to benefit both the mind and body.
• Sleep plays a role in all aspects of our life and overall health. Getting a good night's sleep is important to having enough physical and mental energy to take on daily responsibilities.
• Stress has a huge impact on us and can make even day-to-day life difficult. Research shows stress is closely linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. It also shows people who feel depressed or chronically stressed might have a greater risk of physical illnesses.
• Living a healthy lifestyle might not be easy, but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes.
• By looking at your overall health every day – both physically and mentally – you can go a long way in ensuring you focus on your Fitness #4Mind4Body.

- Source: Mental Health America, http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net