All in the Mind: The Critical Importance of Mental Health

It’s a bit ironic that the recent Mental Health Day was held at the height of the worst pandemic in more than a century. I decided not to celebrate but instead, to focus upon a topic which affects nearly every family. Unfortunately, most of us suffer from time to time. The main issue is that much of this pain could be avoided if we paid more attention to our own well-being and spent less time becoming mired in the troubles of the modern world. Depression, anxiety and stress are truly the murderers of the mind.

Finding Balance in Tough Times

Life is all about balance. I relish the feeling of being mentally and physically tired at the end of each day. I train my body as well as my mind. However, what protects the soul? Vitamins are certainly not enough. When we become stressed, our bodies function differently. They become weak and immune systems can become compromised. We are also much more prone to negative thought patterns such as depression.

This is a very serious issue, as depression is a real illness and the current lockdowns are causing more mental damage than would be imaginable under normal circumstances. In fact, fear and depression is likely more contagious than the dreaded COVID-19 itself. It can cause traumatic damage and in some cases, scar us for life. This is why we need to appreciate that the cures for such an ailment come from within. They begin with us. As each of us suffers, we are all equally responsible.

Isn’t it a bit strange that we live within a highly interconnected world and yet, we feel more alone than ever before? As opposed to actively contributing to the world around us, we are merely playing a role. What went wrong? Well… A lot. Let’s look at one example.

The Useless Dance

We have become stuck in dead relationships and as a result, we are slowly losing our identities. Others use their partner in order to feed off of their energy.  We lie, hurt each other, separate, and eventually return to one another’s arms. This does note erase the damage that has already been done. They will not change and yet, we can. Couples move back and forth within such a cycle; that’s called standing still. This negative state of affairs drains us and makes us vulnerable.

Why do we sacrifice so many opportunities to be happy?  We are afraid of leaving our comfort zone and trying something new, fresh and uncharted.  As a result, fear begins to dominate our decisions, we become vulnerable and the aforementioned “murderers of the mind” await for us in the dark.  We lock ourselves in and begin to settle.  As we never push our boundaries, we are unaware of what we are truly capable of.  Anything new is simply pushed out of the way in order to remain comfortably trapped within the self-imposed confines of our own minds. These fears and those of others resonate within our ears and begin to control our thoughts.  When our energy levels become depleted, we may even start to lash out and hurt those around us.  This is why and how such a mental health pandemic can spread.

Every time such attitudes are embraced, a part of what makes us a free, independent, attractive individual becomes chipped away and lost within the abyss.  While quick fixes(first level of happiness) such as alcohol, cigarettes, drugs and “escape” holidays may provide us with a break for a short period of time, we have forgotten that true happiness and love will result from nourishing our souls.

Take a moment to think about the last time when you truly listened to yourself.  Open your eyes, be brave and step outside.  There are many adventures and opportunities for happiness. Countless giving, honest and appreciative individuals await.  Be wise and work on yourself.  Kindness is the only way forward. Being stuck in the moment or in your comfort zone is akin to living a slow death.

The problems mentioned above go far beyond romantic relationships.  This is only one of many examples. Depression and anxiety have become engrained in our daily lives.  Children are able to see such damaging feelings and unfortunately, they can sadly be hurt as a result.

Why have I been harping on such topics? The simple answer is that these habits are literally killing our spiritual selves. Not only is this an emotionally unhealthy state of mind, but such a mindset can have a very negative impact upon our physical bodies. When we choose to numb ourselves, it will not take long for our minds and souls to follow.

Embracing Our Spirituality

There is still hope if we wish to train our soul and I have the utmost faith in you. Be kind to one another. Begin each day with a positive outlook. If you happen to feel low or imbalanced, ask for help.

The soul is vulnerable, so don’t hurt others. Adopt a healthy perspective. Take a deep breath and stop what you are doing for a second. Cry if you need to. Think about how your actions will impact the world around you every day. Be more conscious and never give up fighting. Remember that I am right there with you.

Above all, maintain a healthy life balance. Regular exercise and the proper vitamins will reduce stress, abate anger, alleviate anxiety, and melt away depression. Above all, they nurture the soul.

Life is a fleeting gift. Appreciate it while I send you positivity each and every day.

VJ