Vocabulary:
- well-being /WEL-BEE-ing/
- consequential /kon-si-KWEN-shuhl/
- curb /kurb/
- sleep-deprivation /sleep dep-ruh-VEY-shuhn/
- correlation /kawr-uh-LEY-shuhn/
- depressive /dih-PRES-iv/
[noun] the state of feeling healthy and happy
Seeing my friends happy and satisfied with what they have achieved gives me a sense of well-being.
[adjective] significant, important
When she became a manager, there are a lot of consequential changes that happen in the company.
[noun] a limit on something that is not wanted
I have to put a curb on my spending habits to save more money.
[noun] the condition of not having enough sleep
There are a lot of reasons that cause sleep-deprivation and one is depression.
[noun] a connection or relationship between two or more facts, numbers, etc.
The correlation between physical properties and chemical composition is proven in many scientific studies.
[adjective] suffering from or relating to depression
She shows symptoms of depressive disorder after their break up.
1. Quit alcohol
– A recent study surveyed 10,386 adults and found out that those who put a curb on alcohol had the topmost level of mental health well-being. Moreover, women who drink moderately, (seven drinks or less per week) and those who quit alcohol during the study period, showed a significant result in their mental health.
2. Social media detox
– For the past years, researchers have looked into the effects of social media on one’s mental health. A study in the UK analyzed 12, 866 teens aged 13 and 16 and found out that checking one’s phone several times a day could result in poor mental well-being. The probable reasons are sleep-deprivation and lack of physical activity caused by too much exposure to social media. Additionally, a US study revealed that adults who spent one hour a day on Facebook and those who withdraw social media sites felt happier. It also allowed them to spend their time doing offline activities such as socializing with family and friends.
3. Avoid junk food and eat more fruits and vegetables
– Eating more vegetables and fruits every day could also improve one’s mental health. US researchers gathered the data from 245,891 phone surveys and discovered that adults who ate a high consumption of unhealthy food like french fries, fast food, and soda were more likely to develop moderate to severe mental distress compared to those who ate a healthier diet. The findings matched those other studies from other countries claiming that there’s a correlation between a poor diet and mental illness.
4. Supplement intake
– Apart from eating more fruits and vegetables, taking certain supplements could also boost mental health conditions when taken together with conventional treatments. The researchers looked at 33 meta-analyses of 10,951 people and found that specific supplements could help reduce depressive illnesses more than antidepressants alone. Some supplements could be beneficial for mood disorders and schizophrenia.
Comprehension Questions:
- What are the four lifestyle changes that could improve mental health?
- In the second lifestyle change mentioned in the article, how many drinks were considered moderate?
- Based on the study conducted in the UK, what unhealthy lifestyle results in poor mental health?
- In the article, aside from eating fruits and vegetables, what is a good alternative to boost mental health?
- What did the researchers discover after analyzing 10,951 people?
Discussion Questions:
- Please give your thoughts on this article.
- Do you agree that mental health boosters are only limited to these four lifestyle changes? Why or why not?
- Why is it important to take care of our mental health? Explain.
- In your own opinion, what are the factors that cause mental illness?
- Aside from consulting a psychiatrist, what do you think are the other therapy that could work for someone who has a mental illness?