Mental wellbeing incorporates a healthy body, healthy connections, and a healthy soul, as well as a healthy mind. Have you ever think to improve your mental wellbeing? We don’t know enough about the brain to know with certainty why some people become depressed or anxious while others don’t.
We don’t have a clear understanding of why some people respond to trauma in a way that has a devastating impact on their lives while others are able seemingly able to function well.
Whatever happens within your physical body also affects your mind. Therefore mental-wellbeing associated with physical health. We know that connection with others can be a helpful salve in stressful times and that social contact plays a vital role in the health of the brain.
We also know that having a purpose in life that gives you a sense of meaning has a positive impact on mental well-being. And of course, whether or not you use your mind or your mind uses you have a big impact on your mental functioning.
Learn more about the importance of nourishing these four areas on a daily basis to enhance your well-being. You may find it helpful to jot some notes down while reflecting on each area:
Four areas that are essential to mental wellbeing:
Book a body tune-up with the best! As a psychologist, if I was able to engage a holistic GP to work with all of my clients I truly believe that at least one-quarter of the people whom I work with would be able to improve their mental health without any further assistance from me.
A holistic GP understands whole-body health. They assist you to learn about your own unique hormonal functioning, understand what nutrients your body is lacking and how to replenish these naturally, and know what you need to do to have your body in optimal condition.
Yes, they can be expensive; however, aren’t you worth investing in? Visiting a holistic GP is a very good starting point on the road to mental well-being.
1. Create and maintain connections:
In today’s society, we are becoming more and more physically isolated. Sure, we have many more e-connections to people through social media and the wonders of information technology, and I’m positive that this has some benefits in terms of social support, however, we are neglecting real, face-to-face, healthy relationships with other human beings.
2. Take a look at your social support network:
Does it contain people who want to see you thrive?
- People who encourage you to dream big and who are there to support you should you fall?
- How do you connect to people in your local community?
- Are you someone who nurtures your relationships with others in a healthy way?
- Do you know of someone who has experienced extra stressors recently?
- Do you make an effort to check in with them, ask them how their day went?
- Are you connecting and having fun with someone on a weekly basis?
3. Soothe your soul:
Not so many of us engage in formal religious practices today. However, nourishing the soul does not necessarily mean you need to attend an orthodox religion.
Instead, it can be soul healing to focus on what the bigger picture means for you.
What sense do you make of your life and your role in the world? What are your values? Do you live your life according to your own values? Many of the people that I know find that by immersing themselves in nature they experience a form of spirituality. Others have noticed that it is their connection with people that bring them soul healing. What gives you a sense of peacefulness?
4. Manage your mind:
Does your mind work for you or against you? For many of us, it is as though our mind has a mind of its own! We can find ourselves almost automatically engaging in unhelpful thinking patterns, getting bogged down in stories about what could go wrong.
Is your mind constantly judging what you do, measuring you against others around you, or even judging other people in your life? Give your mind a health check, can you observe where you tend to focus your attention? Are your thoughts loaded with unrealistic expectations of yourself or others? Do you constantly hear a niggling voice telling you that you are not good enough?
You can make some positive shifts by becoming the master of your mind, training yourself to choose where to focus your attention. regular meditation can help you to calm your mind and body. Daily morning and evening mediation can give you the positive power to live.
You can learn to focus your mind on values and goals that enhance the other areas of your mental wellbeing mentioned before and improve your quality of life.