5 Effective Ways To Maintain A Healthy State Of Mind

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. Mental health is a topic that is very dear to me. I have had my share of issues in the past few years and have also seen loved ones suffer. 

So many of us are afraid to talk about issues surrounding mental health. We are worried about how we would be perceived. Sharing issues at work could mean a loss of ownership of projects and other things we have worked hard for in the company. 

So instead, we decide to march on, pretending everything is just fine. We go to work daily and attend to social obligations even though we may suffer inside. 

In this latest post, I discuss some simple things that would help maintain a healthy state of mind. 

Seeking Help – Still A Taboo

According to a mental health report published by World Health Organization, about one in eight people live with some mental disorder. Most of them are due to anxiety or depressive disorders. WHO report states people often choose to suffer mental distress rather than risk discrimination and ostracization. 

As hard as it is to make that move to seek help, it makes a lot of difference once we reach out. We should not be tackling complex problems alone. It could be a loss of a loved one or a job. Each situation impacts us differently based on our mental makeup. 

Sometimes a friend or a family member isn’t enough to help us deal with a situation—times like these demand experts like a therapist or a life coach. 

Being in a healthy mental state takes conscious effort. I am no clinical expert, but I have suffered my share of experiences, like postpartum after childbirth and anxiety issues when dealing with difficult life situations. Since then, I have committed to living a healthier life and have taken specific measures which I would like to share with you:

1. Learning To Deal With Thoughts & Emotions

I call this one training the mind. We emphasize training our bodies and making detailed plans to achieve our ambitions but not as much on training our minds. Actor Jim Carrey says, ‘I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.’

We can achieve everything we want and still be unhappy. Learning how to be happy takes conscious practice. Unfortunately, most of us didn’t learn how to deal with emotions as children. 

Meditation teaches us how to deal with thoughts and emotions. It increases our self-awareness, and it is the key to being happy. I have seen great benefits of meditating for the last two years. It’s not something you pick up during turmoil but preferably when things are somewhat normal. Then when life gets serious, you will have coping mechanisms to deal with it. 

2. Self-Care Is Not Selfish

Spending time in a way that only benefits you and not others seems selfish to many folks. It feels like you are taking time away from your family. But it refuels you so you can be fully present with your loved ones. Your spouse can tell when you aren’t paying full attention to the conversation. Your children can tell when you are not physically present but are thinking about a pending work email. 

Self-care plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy mindset. Take the time you need in whatever form you need to be a better version of yourself and the others around you. It could be as simple as scheduling breaks between meetings, so you are not exhausted by the end of the day, picking up a sport with a friend, or whatever feeds your soul. 

3. Thinking Beyond Your Situation

Sometimes, our problems seem very big when we are stuck in our minds. But, when we look at them with a larger view of life, they may not be as significant. 

Helping others/volunteering forces us to think beyond our situation and shift our focus to something completely different. For example, a while ago, I was very stressed out with a work situation. 

Over the weekend, I had a chance to volunteer for my child’s swim meet. My entire focus shifted to cheering for children, watching their amusements, and empathizing with their disappointments. I left feeling refreshed. It was a gentle reminder that there are bigger things in life that are far more precious.

4. Drawing Your Boundaries

So many times, we want to help the folks who confide in us about their problems. We offer advice, and we lend a shoulder. However, this could very well bring us down if we aren’t careful. 

It could drain us to a point where we no longer have any energy left for ourselves. I have had more than one instance where I sought a therapist after being someone else’s unofficial therapist for a while. 

Author Jay Shetty, In his book, ‘Think Like A Monk,’ says don’t be a savior. To not attempt to fix a problem unless we have the necessary skills. We can, however, introduce them to qualified people who can help them. 

Draw your boundaries with people so you can protect your well-being. Try to be available to your friends and family but within your limits. 

5. Surrounding Ourselves With A community

We are often kinder to people suffering from a disease we can see, like cancer, than people suffering from depression. We freeze or are unsure what to say to help the other person. 

We think it’s better to give them privacy and space so they can bounce back on their own. But what if too much privacy and space led to this in the first place? 

Human beings thrive on physical touch and emotional connection. Unfortunately, meeting people has become harder in the post-pandemic world. But thankfully, things seem to be improving with people being open to gathering in public spaces. 

As much as possible, surround yourselves with people. It’s hard to feel lonely when surrounded by people. 

If you are caught in the past or anxious about the future, then you are not free to enjoy what’s going on because there are many wonders of life available in the here and the now.

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Taking care of our mental health is crucial for our well-being. It’s a service we owe to ourselves and others around us. I hope the strategies above motivate you to make a continuous effort to take care of yourself. 

Resources:

• WHO Mental Health Report – WHO talks about the state of mental health worldwide and the need to improve access to mental health facilities.
• Meditation Apps: These are great for beginners: Calm and Headspace
• Advanced Meditation/Spiritual Resources: 
  • Those looking to deepen their meditation practice can try, http://tergar.org/
  • Sounds True offers a variety of courses from many Spiritual leaders