Mental Health & Grieving
In today’s high paced and stressful society optimal health is sometimes a hard goal to achieve. Often it depends on food, exercise, stress, sleep, genetic influences, etc. Studies conducted by the World Health Organization estimate that lifestyle choices are responsible for nearly 90% of health outcomes. We all know about the importance of a balanced diet and proper exercise, but how important is our mental well-being?
Mental or emotional health refers to your overall psychological well-being. It includes the way you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your ability to manage feelings and deal with complications.
Good mental health isn't just the absence of mental health problems. Being mentally or emotionally healthy is much more than being free of depression, anxiety, or other psychological issues. Mental and emotional health refers to the presence of positive characteristics, emotions and feelings.
People who tend to exemplify mental and emotional health exhibit:
Self-confidence and high self-esteem.
The ability to deal with stress and bounce back from adversity.
A sense of meaning and purpose.
The flexibility to learn new things and adapt to change.
A balance between work and play, rest and activity, etc.
The ability to build and maintain fulfilling relationships.
These positive characteristics of mental and emotional health allow you to experience a more productive, meaningful, and full existence. In life, adversities and stressful times will always find its way but utilizing coping strategies will help overcome difficult times. Coping strategies include:
Surrounding yourself with positive people
Listening to podcasts or reading books on ways to enhance your mental health
Practicing meditation and mindfulness
Practicing gratitude
Exercising regularly
Investing time for yourself – Book a massage, chiropractic treatment, physical therapy treatment etc.
GREIVING
One of life’s most stressful situations is the passing of a loved one. We fear loss of companionship and the changes it will bring to our lives. It takes time to heal and each of us responds differently. However, coping effectively with grief is a natural a response and vital to our mental health. Mourning and experiencing the stages of grieving are important. At the time of loss and for weeks to months after, feelings and emotions are often intolerably painful. Although difficult, it is healthy and normal to experience intense emotions and swift mood changes. In fact, refusing to grieve is not courageous and may cause a great deal of harm in the future. Grieving helps us come to terms with the need for our relationships and helps us to re-focus our energies toward the future. Remember…grieving is not a weakness; it is a necessity!
"Grieving is a journey that teaches us how to love in a new way now that our loved one is no longer with us. Consciously remembering those who have died is the key that opens the hearts, that allows us to love them in new ways”