Prioritizing mental health: Cultivating resilience and well-being

In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, our mental health has never been more critical. Mental Health is not just about issues. It’s a reminder of the need and importance of mental health awareness around the world. Mental health comprises emotional, cognitive, psychological, and social well-being. It determines how one handles stress, makes choices, and acts as one copes with life. The challenges we face in our personal and professional lives can take a toll on our well-being, impacting our ability to thrive and find joy. 

Anyone can suffer from mental health problems. Sometimes an unexpected obstacle might come on one’s way, and they might find themselves stressing out and not knowing what to do. And, some days, it might be nothing; no motivation, no creativity. And all of a sudden, one is plagued with self-doubt. A solid mental health does not mean that one does not ever go through rough times, disappointments, or loss. People with strong mental health are better able to bounce back from trauma and stress.

We have been conditioned that it is ‘okay’ to ignore the emotional messages that tell us something is wrong and try enduring it by distracting ourselves. According to an HBR study, 61% employees feel burnt out and increasingly demand mental health support. A report by WHO states that anxiety and depression grew by more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. While this statistic grew rapidly, the treatment for mental health issues did not see a similar rise. In fact it fell short-staffed.

While employees suffering from mental health issues may often feel trapped, organizations can create a significant impact for good. Many organizations now have made mental health initiatives a priority and are acknowledging this issue by finding strategies to remove the stigma of the state of not being okay. From monthly mental health day offs to weekly yoga and meditation sessions, organizations are leaving no stone unturned to aid their employees on their mental health journey. They urge employees to take a break from their daily routine and calm their minds & bodies.

Even still, many people suffer from mental health issues because they either face inertia while starting any mental exercise or simply don’t have time to spare for meditation or any other activity. It is time to recognize the profound importance of prioritizing mental health as a means of unlocking resilience and flourishing amidst adversity. By embracing this paradigm shift, we can pave the way for a brighter and more fulfilling future. Below are some effective tips to practice mindfulness and make it a part of one’s life to improve their mental health.

Shifting Perspectives: Mental Health as a Priority

Mental health is not a luxury or an afterthought; it is the cornerstone of our overall well-being. It encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act in every aspect of our lives. By acknowledging its fundamental role, we empower ourselves to address mental health with the same urgency and importance as physical health.

Practice mindfulness with meditation

Meditation helps one feel at peace that comes with enhanced awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, mind blocks, prejudices and thinking patterns. Meditation does not need to be a big chore, it can be something as simple as focused breathing for 10 minutes a day.

Focus on the system not the goals

Often one aims to attain a state of mindfulness in a month to improve their mental health. However, goals like these defeat the purpose of mindfulness. To be at peace, one needs to focus on a system and follow it. Instead of “I will cure my mental illness in 1 month”, one should pledge that, “I will meditate for 15 minutes everyday”. Once the system is in place, results start to show automatically.

Be kind to yourself

On one’s initial journey towards mindfulness, it is very natural for the mind to wander. Instead of getting frustrated, judging oneself, or obsessing over a single thought, one must be kind to themselves and realize that it is hard to detach from one’s thoughts & environment.

Prioritizing mental health is not an indulgence but a necessity in today’s challenging world. By promoting mental well-being, we create a foundation for personal and collective growth. While organizations today are being hyper-vigilant to tackle the mental health challenges at work, the employees should also acknowledge that it is okay to take a mental health break or leave a situation they don’t feel comfortable in. There are plenty of ways to keep stress levels low – whether looking to cope with a specific mental health problem, handling emotions better, or simply wanting to feel more positive. Feeling one’s emotions doesn’t make anyone weak or negative; instead, it makes them more true to themselves. Together, let us prioritize mental health and pave the way for a more resilient, thriving, and compassionate world.

Raman Mittal               July 18, 2023

source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com