title: Some ingredients for mental health.
abstract: When the body is ailing the mind is soon impaired. Good health practices contribute to longer and better life. A balanced life of work-rest-play is necessary to human health. Psychosocial stresses at any period of life may impair morale and productivity and increase the likelihood of physical or mental disease. Bereavement, separation, divorce, loss of friendship, retirement, loss of self-esteem and symbolic losses contribute significantly to mental and physical ill health. Social and psychological support systems are vital to mental health maintenance. Mature persons evolve principles, values, moral and ethical tenets, philosophic and religious ideals and special codes of conduct to give meaning to their lives. The basic needs of survival and procreation must be integrated with moral precepts relating to interindividual behavior so as to give a person a feeling of self-worth, which is an indispensable element in mental health.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D012944:Social Support