Mental Well-Being
One’s physical health is dependent to a large extent upon what one ingests into the body. The same principle applies to one’s mental health.
The things we imbibe into our mind can be likened to mental food. The information one absorbs from books, magazines, television shows, videos, the internet, and song lyrics can affect one’s thinking and personality just as literal food affects the body. One slowly turns into whatever images one carries in one’s mind.
Some who may carefully monitor their physical diet, indiscriminately, gobble up whatever mental food is served through the media and environment.
Are we enjoying good mental health? If so, one has reasons to be thankful. Yet, there are some basic factors that could cause one to lose this prized possession. Mental illness can be triggered by a sudden tragedy, severe sickness, loss of job and similar other things.
The environment plays a major role in mental imbalance because of the stresses and strains of living. That is, hostility and conflict with others, the feeling of being forgotten, isolation from others, the lack of meaningful activity or an abrupt fall in income. Many desire and dream to move to a desert island or to a hill station, but these escapes are hard to find, generally, by everyone.
Some persons are more inclined toward mental illness because of being emotionally weak. Also, a faulty diet affects one’s metabolism. Large doses of caffeine in tea, coffee, cola drinks and headache tablets taken frequently, can cause mental instability.
Stress that seems injurious may be such because of personality flaws. Keeping high expectations from others can be a frequent cause of mental disturbances.
One may wonder, what is mental illness? It is often a dysfunction in a person’s thinking, emotional control and behaviour. This condition disrupts a person’s ability to relate with others and to deal with the demands of life.
It can affect people of any gender, age, culture or educational background. The severity can vary in length and intensity, depending on the individual and the circumstances.
The stress of living in the public eye is another factor that makes some people become mentally or emotionally unbalanced. Some are ill-prepared for the pomp and publicity that goes with being in a prominent position, thus longing for periods of time when they can relax privately away from the public eye.
A person who lives with mental illness can feel panic at times, making normal activities seem impossible. On some days, one cannot concentrate well enough even to read a book. At other times, one may avoid all contact, even, with good friends.
Why do many feel that they are unable to cope with life? Due to the three H’s: haplessness, helplessness and hopelessness, persons are weighed down with one or more problems. Expecting more from a mentally sick person can be disheartening. Also, over-emphasizing his or her limitations can promote a sense of dejection in that one.
One must do what one can to maintain a good life. Carefulness and alertness can prevent feelings of wretchedness and from feeling forlorn.
A psychosomatic process operates in the human body. The things that affect physical health affects one’s mental condition, and our overall mental outlook has much to do with our physical health. If one is unhappy or discontented, one will not feel well physically. Unhappiness results in tensions, discouragement, depression and dejection, often followed by anger and self pity.
Communication is vital, even though at times it may seem that one’s comments are misconstrued. The responses of a disturbed people can be unpredictable, and his or her emotions may seem inappropriate to the situation at hand. Finding fault in the sufferer’s remarks adds guilt, on top of depression. By reassuring support, one can live a productive life.
Learning to take life one step at a time, nurturing relationships with others and adapting to one’s situation, can help cope with painful emotions and assist in overcoming seemingly impossible hurdles.
Most problems have a solution. Confiding in someone whose advise is practical, helps. An older, sympathetic friend may have faced and overcome a similar difficulty. Such a companion can bring about a change in one’s attitude toward difficulties. Love, kindness, patience and understanding can protect and restore the mind.
A comprehensive plan to improve mental well-being includes attention to diet, exercise, sleep and social activities. When a friend or a family member has a mental disorder, then a listening ear, a helping hand, and an open mind can help that one to survive — and even to thrive.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
Rekha Kumar - The writer is a personal development skills facilitator. [email protected]
