“Our life begins to change when we change our energy, and we begin to take our power back.” Dr. Joe Dispenza.
The World Health Organisation defines Mental Health as “a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community”.
Nowadays, a growing number of people struggle to cope with life’s stresses. Why is that so? One may argue that stress has always been a part of life, perhaps much more so decades ago when people had far fewer conveniences than they do today and even had to deal with wars and diseases, and had little to no access to information.
The answer is probably not a straight forward one. One reason might be that in former times life was a lot simpler compared to life today. There was less information overwhelm, social and work demands, conflicting role models and opportunities. On the other hand, people connected more on a personal level, families and communities were stronger and nature was cleaner. Maybe life was more confined, but because of that more simple?
For many people, modern life is difficult, hectic, demanding, always changing, and stressful. Even though humanity can access information instantly and is continuously linked technologically, many people today nevertheless experience life to be lonely. All the comforts and joys of modern life don’t seem to be able to fill the rising emptiness that many people feel. It is not surprising that mental health issues are becoming more prevalent in the world, influencing all aspects of many people’s lives.
What can we each do to personally ensure our own mental wellbeing? Listed below are a few points and ideas:
Meditate
Meditation offers many health advantages and is a great method to centre oneself. Regular practise lowers stress, manages anxiety, supports mental health, develops self-awareness, enhances sleep, helps to control pain and fosters compassion for others. Meditation is most likely one of the most crucial and advantageous things you may do to enhance your mental wellbeing. Check out the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza! Spend at least 20 minutes per day in meditation!
Be yourself and accept others as they are
Despite of all the photo shopped images and stories of glorious lives we get fed on social media nowadays, we are all human and no life is perfect. It is no point comparing ourselves with others or portraying a false version of ourselves because we feel social pressures. The more we close the gap between what we appear to be and what we really are, the more content and authentic we will feel. Show up as your real self every day!
Connect
We underestimate the value of social interactions, which can help us come out of our shells and feel happier. Also, social interactions can strengthen our immune system, lessen anxiety and depression, assist in mood regulation and raise our self-esteem and empathy. Despite the demands of work and daily life, it is crucial to prioritise social interactions since human beings require connection to feel good. Regularly meeting up with friends, planning date nights with your spouse, going out for drinks with a co-worker after work, or participating in the events of a local sports club can all significantly improve your life. Go out and connect with real people!
Communicate
When faced with difficulties or when they are unwell, many people withdraw. It frequently happens because they don’t want to burden others, feel ashamed, or are unsure of what exactly it is that is troubling them. Speaking with someone can sometimes be helpful for clarifying issues and letting everything out. If you don’t want to confide in your friends and family, there is still the alternative to talk to a professional. Admitting that you require assistance is not a reason to feel ashamed! Be brave, speak up and speak out!
Remove the emotional attachment to the past
Sometimes the emotional scars we carry from the past continue to have an impact on our lives now. Without our knowledge, they might cause us to exhibit undesirable behaviours and to feel anxiety and depression for example. For life to advance, it is crucial to get rid of these. There are various therapies available, but I typically employ Root Cause Therapy to support my clients since, in my personal experience, it works rapidly and shows great results. Be proactive and move forward!
Spend time outdoors
Stress, measured in muscle tension, blood pressure, and mental activity, reduces when people spend time in nature. Being outdoors helps relaxing, increases endorphin production and dopamine levels which foster happiness. How great it is to breathe, move, and take in the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Get out there as much as you can!
Exercise
Exercise has long been understood to be good for our mental and emotional wellbeing as well as our physical health. It does not imply that we must turn into gym rats; frequent, moderate exercise will do. It can significantly improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADHD. It relieves stress, enhances memory, promotes sound sleep, and uplifts our mood in general. Moreover, it has been discovered to lessen social disengagement and to help with low self-esteem. Your general welfare will benefit, especially if you exercise with others because it makes it more enjoyable and social. Move it, and best move every day!
Sleep
Sleep is essential to feel rested, energised and alive. Not sleeping enough over a longer period of time increases the chance of feeling overburdened, anxious and depressed. We need to personally get a feeling for how many hours we need to sleep to feel rejuvenated, and we need to make sure that we get our head onto the pillow for these hours on a regular basis. If you sometimes don’t during the night, a short cat nap during the day will help. Sleep and rest as much as you need to!
Learn to say no
It’s critical to be aware of our limitations and avoid overextending ourselves over longer periods of time. Most people feel as though the demands of work and life never end, and many are reluctant to confess when they’ve had enough. Yet, we must learn to listen to our bodies and cut back when the going gets too much. It might feel awkward and uncomfortable, but it will be beneficial in the long run. Say no when you need to!
Have fun and laugh every day
Life can seem quite serious, and we might get caught up in routines, difficulties and obstacles on a daily basis. Stepping back, taking in everything, and putting things into perspective can be helpful at times. Why not choose to approach life with humour and lightheartedness, and perhaps even laugh at ourselves? When we are smiling, we can’t be anxious, angry, or depressed, can we? Fun activities can lift our spirits and help us cope with negative emotions like melancholy and depression. Life is meant to be enjoyed. We must plan these delightful things if we want to enjoy life. Make time for pleasure and laughter every day!