By: Dani Kolsrud, TVLC Mental Health Representative
We are living in an age where wellness has become an intricate part of our medical outlook and treatments. We are overwhelmed with information on what symptoms to be aware of that may predispose a medical condition that will need treatment. We are in tune with the idea that we are capable of preventing certain unfavorable conditions if we follow certain routines, nutritional patterns, or medicinal prescriptions. But have you ever contemplated applying this wellness, preventive theory to your mental health, so you will maintain a “healthy mental health?”
What routines and practices promote “healthy mental health?” Research tells us there are many, and they are attainable and readily adaptable to a willing pursuer. A quote from Rumi tells us it is entirely up to us to employ these attainable wellness efforts, “It’s your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.”
Nutrition for mental health can be interpreted as eating certain foods that have a reputation for nourishing brain cells in a positive way. However, sometimes we feed our brain in other ways that are not so healthy. We feed our brain with information — not always information that is healthy. Negative food for the brain on a regular basis deteriorates the tendency to have a healthy, positive outlook as we deal with daily routines, and challenges. The saying “Garbage in—garbage out.” was not initially meant to be profound, but upon analyzation, has proven to be very profound where “healthy mental health” is concerned. The brain functions on a capacity basis like our lungs do. Lungs filled with infection do not allow air to flow through, they become clogged. A brain filled with negativity and anger does not allow healthy thoughts, kind thoughts, or positive thoughts to circulate through, there literally is no room! A conscious effort has to be made to surround ourselves with people, conversation, reading material, entertainment, and an environment that will promote and bring out the best in us. Take time to know yourself so you can recognize what these things are for you.
It seems trite to say we are living in a world of speed, overload, and lack of time. We all know that! A good thing is happening though that has the ability to help us get some of these habits under control. Mindfulness is gaining respect on personal levels and in some workplaces. Mindfulness involves setting aside a time for clearing out our brains; removing the cluttered thinking, worry, and anxiety we accumulate. It can be done with someone leading an actual session or even on your own, by making a conscious effort at a given time that you set aside for this purpose. Meditation goes hand-in-hand with this practice. Where mindfulness clears thoughts out, meditation invites prayer, reading, and reflection. “Prayer is us talking to God. Meditation is letting God talk to you,” Yogi Bhajan.
Your brain loves stimulation—learning new things, interacting with others, observing the world around you, and being a part of something. Community affords us opportunities for all this stimulation. Have you noticed how you learn about situations, functions, and needs when you reach out to someone different than you? We are blessed to be a part of a church body that gives us endless opportunities to stimulate brain cells that are hungry for a reason to activate, work, and function. A brain with no stimulation does not function, just as someone who only sits in a chair loses their ability to walk.
“Healthy mental health” requires some joy and happiness. Again, how well do you know yourself? Have you ever done an inventory on what actually gives you joy or makes you happy? These things obviously alter as we go through different phases of our life. Do you have a space in your home where you can sit and find joy? Are there sources of entertainment — music, movies, books, that bring a smile to your face? Do you laugh freely? Laughter, joy, humor, time with friends is like vitamins for “healthy mental health”.
Contentment is high on the list of contributions to “healthy mental health”. Contentment helps edge out anxiety we have in our lives; but contentment is not to be confused with complacency. What do you need to be content? If contentment only comes with a newer car, a fancier house, a more prestigious job, or a classier wardrobe, then you may need to take some time to reassess your criteria for contentment. Oprah Winfrey, though not a sage or philosopher, put it this way: “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” Could contentment come from sharing what you do have on some level? There is so much joy in giving a gift for no reason!
“Healthy mental health” does not expect nor does it require your life to be devoid of struggles, grief, frustration, or pain. But making an effort to employ wellness techniques and preventative measures better equips us to deal with emotions, both pleasant and challenging. “True happiness comes not when we get rid of all our problems, but when we change our relationship to them, when we see our problems as a potential sign of awakening, opportunities to practice patience, and to learn.” Richard Carlson.
“Healthy mental health” is a worthwhile goal for us all!
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