Let`s talk about mental health
I know we talk about this stuff all the time but I feel I need to say it louder.
What is Mental Health?
This might seem a bit boring but bear with me it’s important.
Mental health was defined as the absence of mental illness. It was all about diagnosis and treatment and if you didn’t have a diagnosis you were mentally healthy. But the World Health Organization (WHO) changed that.
I think this change comes from the fact that we’re living in a fast paced, high stress world. Simple one dimensional definitions don’t cut it anymore. We need a holistic approach to mental health.
The WHO’s New Approach to Mental Health
The new definition states that mental health is a state in which you can realise your potential, cope with everyday stress, work productively and contribute to your community. Unlike the old definition this one includes not only the absence of disorders but also the presence of positive attributes like resilience, coping skills and being able to lead a fulfilling life.
Pay attention to the word state.
Mental Health vs. Mental Fitness
The phrase “mental state” is trending. If we understand mental health as an ongoing training of our resilience, learning to manage stress and working towards a fulfilling life shouldn’t we call it mental fitness rather than a static condition?
We humans are word people. Simply rebranding mental health as mental fitness can change our perspective and make the topic more empowering.
Why Change the Terminology?
Mental health implies a destination, a state we must achieve. When we don’t feel great when we’re sad, unmotivated or anxious we often think something is wrong with us. This only makes us feel worse.
But if we talk about mental fitness we accept that maintaining psychological wellbeing is an ongoing process, just like physical fitness. It’s not about reaching a state but about ongoing work, strengthening our mental “muscles” and understanding that ups and downs are part of the journey.
A Fitness Analogy: Understanding Mental Fitness
Let’s compare mental health to physical fitness. Imagine you’re training for a marathon. Some days even when you’ve eaten well, hydrated and rested your body just doesn’t perform at its best. Do you panic? No. You accept it as part of the process and move on.
Similarly in mental fitness some days are harder than others. Feeling down or unmotivated doesn’t mean you are mentally unwell, it means you are human.
How Mental Fitness Works
In our brains thoughts travel along neural pathways which strengthen over time. The more we repeat a certain pattern of thinking the more ingrained it becomes like a well trodden path to work that we take on autopilot.
The danger of mental autopilot is it can reinforce unhelpful reactions. That’s why we need to be mindful of our mental routines and actively train our minds to develop healthier thinking patterns.
Building a Mental Fitness Mindset
We need to treat our minds like any other muscle. Just as we strengthen our bodies through exercise we can build mental resilience by creating new neural pathways that serve us better.
No one is physically 100% fit all the time yet we accept physical imperfections as normal. The same should apply to our mental health. No one is in peak mental condition every day and that’s totally fine.
Key Steps to Improve Mental Fitness
Mental fitness is a whole of life approach, here are the important ones:
*Physical Activity: Exercise is linked to improved mood and cognitive function.
*Healthy Nutrition: A well balanced diet supports brain health.
*Quality Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of good sleep per night.
*Stress Management: Identify stressors and practice meditation or yoga.
*Social Connections: Maintain healthy relationships with friends and family.
*Mental Stimulation: Learn new skills to challenge your brain.
*Set Realistic Goals: Break big goals into smaller, achievable steps and celebrate progress.
*Positive Thinking: Focus on gratitude and replace negative thoughts with constructive ones.
*Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Deep breathing and muscle relaxation exercises can reduce anxiety.
*Work Life Balance: Prioritize self care and avoid burnout.
Seek Professional Help: If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. Therapy can be incredibly beneficial. I say this from personal experience.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is:
By being mentally fit we open ourselves up to personal growth, self acceptance and inner strength. Mental fitness isn’t about being perfect, it’s about celebrating progress, no matter how small.
Ask yourself: Are you taking time to care for your mental fitness as you do your physical health? If not, why? Why do we treat them differently? And are you working to improve your mental wellbeing as you would your physical fitness?
Remember mental fitness is a process. Prioritising our mental wellbeing is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Let’s commit to strengthening our minds, just as we do our bodies.
Are you in?