What is the difference between mental health and mental wellness?

In today’s discussions, there is a heightened focus on mental health and well-being. This increased attention is having a tangible impact, considering that one in four individuals will encounter a mental health challenge at some stage in their lives. The more we engage in conversations about mental health, the more the associated stigma diminishes.

Yet, as the dialogue progresses, you may have noticed the recurring use or interchangeability of certain terms: mental health and mental wellness. Are these terms synonymous, or is there a distinction between them? Which one is more appropriate to use? To unravel this, let’s delve into the definitions of these terms.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It involves the individual’s ability to handle stress, relate to others, make decisions, and cope with the challenges of life. Good mental health contributes to overall functioning, productivity, and the ability to form meaningful relationships.

Mental health encompasses a wide range of factors, including emotional resilience, self-esteem, the ability to manage emotions, and effective communication. It is not just the absence of mental disorders but also the presence of positive mental qualities and coping mechanisms.

What is Mental Wellness?

Mental wellness refers to the state of one’s mental health and the proactive efforts taken to promote a positive, fulfilling, and balanced life. It goes beyond the absence of mental disorders and focuses on building resilience, fostering positive emotions, and enhancing overall psychological well-being.

 

Key components of mental wellness include:

• Emotional Resilience: The ability to bounce back from challenges, adapt to change, and cope with stress in a healthy way.

 

• Self-awareness: Understanding one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviours, and being mindful of how they contribute to overall well-being.

 

• Effective Stress Management: Developing and utilizing coping strategies to handle life’s stressors and pressures in a constructive manner.

 

• Healthy Relationships: Building and maintaining positive connections with others, fostering a sense of belonging, and having a support system.

 

• Positive Lifestyle Choices: Incorporating habits such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, and other activities that contribute to mental and physical well-being.

 

• Positive Lifestyle Choices: Incorporating habits such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, and other activities that contribute to mental and physical well-being.

 

• Life Satisfaction: Finding meaning and purpose in life, setting and pursuing goals, and experiencing a sense of accomplishment.

 

• Seeking Support: Being open to seeking help when needed, whether through friends, family, or mental health professionals.

Mental wellness is a proactive and holistic approach to mental health that emphasizes the promotion of positive mental qualities and the prevention of mental health issues. It encourages individuals to take an active role in their mental well-being and to adopt habits that contribute to a fulfilling and satisfying life.

Key Differences between mental health and mental wellness

	Mental Health	Mental Wellness
Definition	Refers to a person’s overall psychological well-being, including the presence or absence of mental illnesses or disorders. It encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being.	Focuses on the positive aspects of mental health, emphasizing a person’s ability to cope with stress, work productively, build positive relationships, and make meaningful contributions to society.
Scope	Encompasses a broad spectrum, ranging from mental illnesses and disorders to the absence of diagnosable conditions.	Primarily emphasizes the proactive and positive aspects of mental well-being, promoting self-care, stress management, and personal growth.
Prevention vs. Treatment	Often associated with the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental disorders through therapy, medications, or other interventions.	Emphasizes preventive measures, lifestyle choices, and activities that contribute to maintaining a positive mental state and preventing the onset of mental health issues.
Focus	Tends to focus on addressing and managing symptoms of mental illnesses, improving functioning, and providing support during times of crisis.	Concentrates on fostering resilience, personal development, and the pursuit of a balanced and fulfilling life.
Negative vs. Positive	Often associated with the absence of mental disorders or the management of negative symptoms.	Centres around positive attributes such as life satisfaction, emotional resilience, and the pursuit of a meaningful and purposeful life.
Holistic Approach	Can involve specialized treatments and interventions targeted at specific disorders or symptoms.	Encourages a holistic approach that considers various aspects of life, including physical health, social connections, and personal fulfilment.
Stigma	May be associated with societal stigma related to mental illnesses and the misconception that mental health issues are a sign of weakness.	Generally carries a more positive and proactive connotation, promoting a broader understanding of mental well-being beyond the absence of illness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while mental health and mental wellness are interconnected, they represent distinct aspects of our psychological well-being. Recognizing the differences is crucial for fostering a comprehensive approach to personal growth and happiness. By prioritizing both mental health and mental wellness, individuals can embark on a journey towards a more fulfilling and resilient life, embracing challenges with a positive mindset and nurturing their mental well-being proactively.

 

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, mental wellness has become a paramount concern. The fast-paced lifestyle, constant connectivity, and societal pressures can take a toll on our mental health. Cultivating mental wellness is not just about addressing mental illness but also about proactively taking steps to enhance our overall well-being. This comprehensive guide aims to provide practical insights and strategies for nurturing a healthy and resilient mind.

The Foundation of Mental Wellness: Understanding the Basics:

At the core of mental wellness lies a profound comprehension of its fundamental principles. To embark on the journey to a resilient and balanced mind, it’s crucial to grasp the basics. Emotional equilibrium, psychological stability, and social well-being form the pillars of mental health. This foundational understanding enables individuals to navigate life’s challenges, build meaningful connections, and foster a positive mindset. In this exploration, we unravel the essential elements that contribute to mental well-being, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling and enriching life. Join us as we delve into the basics, unlocking the secrets to cultivating a healthy and resilient mind.

The Importance of Self-Care in Mental Well-being

Self-care is a crucial component of maintaining and promoting mental well-being. In the fast-paced and demanding world we live in, prioritizing one’s mental health has become increasingly essential. The term “self-care” encompasses a range of activities and practices that individuals can engage in to nurture their physical, emotional, and mental health.

• Stress Reduction: Everyday life can be filled with stressors, from work pressures to personal responsibilities. Engaging in self-care activities such as mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress levels. Managing stress is vital for preventing the development or exacerbation of mental health issues.
• Prevention of Burnout: Continuous exposure to stress without adequate self-care can lead to burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Taking breaks, setting boundaries, and allowing oneself time to rest are key elements in preventing burnout and maintaining overall well-being.
• Enhanced Resilience: Regular self-care practices contribute to increased emotional resilience. When individuals take the time to care for themselves, they are better equipped to handle life’s challenges and setbacks. Resilience is a key factor in maintaining good mental health and bouncing back from difficulties.
• Improved Emotional Regulation: Self-care helps individuals develop a better understanding of their emotions and provides tools to regulate them effectively. Engaging in activities that bring joy, relaxation, or a sense of accomplishment can positively impact emotional well-being.
• Increased Self-Awareness: Self-care involves paying attention to one’s needs and preferences. This process fosters self-awareness, helping individuals identify when they are feeling overwhelmed or in need of support. Being attuned to one’s emotions is fundamental for mental health.
• Preventative Measures for Mental Health Issues: Regular self-care acts as a preventative measure against mental health issues. By prioritizing mental well-being, individuals may reduce the risk of developing conditions such as anxiety and depression.
• Enhanced Productivity and Creativity: Taking time for self-care not only benefits mental health but can also boost productivity and creativity. Well-rested and balanced individuals are more likely to approach tasks with clarity, focus, and innovative thinking.
• Improved Relationships:
  Caring for oneself allows individuals to bring their best selves into relationships. Healthy self-care habits can contribute to better communication, empathy, and overall positive interactions with others.

The Power of Positive Relationships for Mental Wellness

Positive relationships play a crucial role in promoting mental wellness and overall well-being. The connections we cultivate with friends, family, colleagues, and communities can have a profound impact on our mental health. These relationships provide a support system that can help individuals navigate life’s challenges and contribute to a more positive outlook.

Strong social connections have been linked to numerous mental health benefits. Engaging in meaningful and positive relationships can reduce feelings of loneliness, stress, and anxiety. The sense of belonging that comes from healthy connections provides emotional support, fostering resilience in the face of adversity.

Positive relationships also contribute to the release of oxytocin and endorphins, often referred to as “feel-good” hormones. These chemical reactions in the brain help regulate mood and alleviate symptoms of depression. Moreover, having a network of supportive individuals can provide a buffer against the negative impacts of stress, improving overall mental resilience.

Communication within positive relationships is essential for understanding and empathy. Sharing thoughts and feelings with someone who listens without judgment can promote self-expression and self-discovery. This open communication fosters a sense of trust and intimacy, strengthening the bond between individuals.

In contrast, negative or strained relationships can have detrimental effects on mental health. Toxic connections may lead to increased stress, anxiety, and a sense of isolation. Recognizing and addressing such relationships is crucial for maintaining mental wellness.

Effective Stress Management Techniques

Effective stress management is crucial for maintaining overall well-being. Here are some techniques that can help you manage stress:

Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques:

• Practice deep, diaphragmatic breathing to calm the nervous system.
• Progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing and then releasing different muscle groups to reduce tension.

Mindfulness and Meditation:

• Mindfulness meditation helps bring awareness to the present moment, reducing anxiety about the future.
• Guided imagery meditation can transport your mind to a peaceful place, promoting relaxation.

Regular Exercise:

• Engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, or yoga, to release endorphins and reduce stress hormones.
• Guided imagery meditation can transport your mind to a peaceful place, promoting relaxation.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices:

• Prioritize a balanced diet with nutritious foods to support overall health.
• Ensure adequate sleep to allow your body and mind to recover.

Time Management:

• Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
• Prioritize tasks and focus on the most important ones first.

Social Support:

• Share your thoughts and feelings with friends or family.
• Build a strong support system to lean on during challenging times.

Limit Caffeine and Sugar Intake:

• Reduce consumption of stimulants like caffeine and excessive sugar, as they can exacerbate stress and anxiety.

Set Realistic Goals:

• Establish achievable goals to avoid setting yourself up for unnecessary stress.
• Celebrate small victories along the way.

Hobbies and Recreation:

• Engage in activities you enjoy to provide a mental break from stressors.
• Hobbies can be a great way to express creativity and relax.

Learn to Say No:

• Understand your limits and don’t be afraid to decline additional commitments when your plate is already full.

Positive Self-Talk:

• Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations.
• Foster a mindset of self-compassion and self-care.

Professional Support:

• Seek help from a mental health professional if stress becomes overwhelming.
• Therapists can provide coping strategies and a supportive environment.

The Role of Art and Play in Mental Wellness

Art and play serve as powerful tools in promoting mental wellness by providing individuals with avenues for expression, creativity, and stress relief. Engaging in artistic activities and playful experiences can have profound effects on mental health, offering therapeutic benefits that go beyond mere enjoyment.

Creating art, whether through drawing, painting, sculpting, or other mediums, allows individuals to express emotions and thoughts that may be challenging to articulate verbally. This form of self-expression can be particularly therapeutic for those dealing with stress, anxiety, or trauma. Art provides a non-verbal outlet to process and communicate complex feelings, fostering a sense of release and catharsis.

Play, in various forms, is not only reserved for children but holds therapeutic value for adults as well. Playfulness stimulates the brain and promotes creativity, enhancing problem-solving skills and cognitive flexibility. Activities that involve play, such as games, sports, or recreational pursuits, can reduce stress levels and improve overall mood.

Engaging in artistic endeavors and play also encourages mindfulness, promoting a focus on the present moment. This mindful awareness can be a powerful antidote to the pressures of daily life and the anxieties about the future. Immersing oneself in the creative process or enjoying playful activities allows individuals to momentarily disconnect from stressors and experience a sense of joy and relaxation.

Moreover, art and play contribute to a sense of community and connection. Participating in group art projects or collaborative games fosters social interactions, which are vital for mental well-being. Building positive connections through shared creative experiences can combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Cultivating mental wellness is a lifelong journey that requires dedication and self-reflection. By prioritizing self-care, nurturing positive relationships, practicing mindfulness, setting realistic goals, managing stress effectively, embracing creativity, and seeking professional support when needed, you can build a strong foundation for a fulfilling and resilient life. Remember, mental wellness is not a destination but a continuous process of growth and self-discovery. If you are looking to Mental Wellness then contact us to know more

The Human Dilemma: Between the Actions and Results

The Actions we take is of great importance when considering our progress as human beings. I am suggesting this both from the perspective as a species as well as individuals. Its simple to state why this is so. Our Actions render our Results, not necessarily our intentions alone.
If you assess contemplatively for what is currently happening with your life, do the resulting thoughts fill you with happiness and satisfaction? Or do you feel a sense of despair? If you sense fulfilment and happiness, it means, for now, you must continue your current patterns of action. If you
sense despair, the message is for you to change your pattern of actions.

T>F>A
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy states the formula: T>F>A: The progression is to explain, our Thoughts produce our Feelings. Further, the Interactions between our Thoughts and Feelings produce our Actions. And of course, as I mentioned before, our Actions produce our Results.
For a moment, let me provide you with an example to illustrate the practicality of the above content. If you have heard of ‘Pavlov’s Dogs’, you would remember, the dogs were signalled to approach their food bowls with the ringing of a bell. The dogs would react to the stimuli, the ringing of the bell, every time, by wagging their tails instantly before consuming their meals. Pavlov later observed that the dogs wagged their tails if they heard the bell ringing at ‘off’ times too. This is a simple example to state a biological condition, S>R, which means an organism reacts to stimuli.
Stimuli being the bell ringing and reaction being the tail wagging.
As ‘intelligent’ human beings, we also are susceptible to this biological conditioning. However, we can intelligently ‘by-pass’ the conditioning for our own good.

Reacting to Situations:

What would you do if your little daughter at breakfast, accidentally spilt her milk on your neatly ironed clothes, that you chose for that special & crucial presentation you had to deliver at work? Most readers would imagine that you would burst out with rage, scream at her with your fists tightened. If you reacted that way, how would that day be expected to progress? You would be stressed to look for something else to wear. Your spouse would advise you not to get that hyper and scream at the child, which makes you more uncomfortable. Your temper could hamper your mood which further could hamper your presentation. By the time you finished your work for the day, you have begun to feel bad for yourself and your kid for the way you behaved in the morning. When you came back home, your little child is really frightened to come to you. Your spouse isn’t talking to you. Here, there is a clear progression from your Actions to the Results. Now, would you want this to happen again? It’s a Big No.

Learning to Respond rather than React:

If you learnt from the experience, you would find alternative behaviours to deal with a similar situation, if it occurred in the future. This means you are an intelligent human being. You consciously applied yourself to design your ‘Response’ to the situation rather than ‘React’. Here, the formula is altered to S>O>R. The progression states, if intelligence is applied, the so-called organism, that’s you, can choose to deal with a similar stimulus in a more conscious manner. This transformation means the individual has learnt to Respond rather than React. Therefore, Stimulus>Organism>Response.

Considering the same example, you found new ways of Thinking about the discomforting situation. The new thought patterns filled you with calmness, compassion, understanding and empathy, rather than anger. The interactions between the new Thoughts and Feelings led you to Act in different ways altogether. Your family would certainly feel more obliged to help you with your difficulty that day and appreciate you for your display of maturity. That’s the essence of Emotional Intelligence Training. Learning to Respond rather than React.

Emotional Intelligence:

However, learning from experience isn’t easy nor common. However uncommon it may be, it is un- Intelligent to continue behavioural patterns that are logically, emotionally, detrimental and draining to us as well as others. Therefore, ‘Emotional Intelligence Training.’
Learning from Experience is the only way to progress into a matured Human Being. A matured Human Being is responsible for one’s own Feelings and Emotions, as well as Others. More on the topic in the next blog.
Practical and everyday definition of Emotional Intelligence Training: Learning from Experience.

How to Develop Your Personal Branding? Developing Your Visibility:

I had written a blog recently for how Personal Branding can be improved by working upon 7 areas at work. I’d like to focus on how to build your Visibility at work on this blog. Visibility is an incredible pay-off for people who earnestly work on their Branding. However, one must also understand that our Visibility is our own responsibility.

Cultural Dilemma:
I claim emphatically, that “Credibility is no assurance of Visibility”. This statement almost describes the dilemma that working people experience, especially among south east Asian working cultures. Many Asian cultures promote a highly passive approach to working life. In fact, it is not uncommon among working people in our own country to feel, that seeking Visibility is the same as bragging. A frequent feedback received by engineers, during annual appraisals from their superiors is, that they are efficient but lack visibility. I am sure you will agree when I say, that many working people in our country are ‘Visibility Shy’, in different degrees.

Tendency to believe Credibility is good enough:

Let’s consider Credibility first. One needs to work on Credibility as it establishes an extent of trust the organization can have on an employee. However, no amount of effort in establishing Credibility is going to guarantee Visibility. Credibility is established by one’s academic excellence, exhibiting of relevant knowledge & problem- solving skills, and most importantly, tendency to ‘walk the talk’. However, the truth of the matter is,
not all highly trustworthy individuals carry high Visibility.
Bottom line is. Just working hard and being sincere, even though great qualities to possess, will not fetch Visibility.

How to go about Your Visibility?
‘Toot Your Own Horn’ – Develop a Positive Attitude for Visibility:
Nobody is going to do it for you. No culture in the world is known to consider bragging as a virtue, but it doesn’t mean, the only option left is to choose ‘invisibility’. Know you have a ‘Right’ for Visibility. Know there is nothing wrong in talking about your ‘good’, achievements and contributions in the right set up.
Importantly. Don’t blame your bosses or company for your lack of Visibility, it is not their responsibility but yours.
I came across a saying recently on the internet, “What do a Deep Thinker and an Emotional Person lack???? The Visibility of their Importance in today’s world”. Let this not become the impression of your working life.

Speak Up in Meetings
Whether you like it or not, meetings are the place when you become known by your team for your confidence and by others for who you are.
Don’t keep your opinions and views to yourself. Your Branding doesn’t depend on whether your opinions were accepted or not, it depends on whether you expressed them to your best capability nor not.

Volunteer to Represent your Team
What did you do during the last Office Day, Cultural event or Annual Day? Did you participate and exhibit your innate talent to entertain everyone, or did you just stay back with the audience and watched the show?
Highly talented people just need one good opportunity for life-long guaranteed Visibility sometimes. Don’t keep your good to yourself. Exhibit them when opportunity is right.

Participate in Learning Opportunities
This is a great way to boost your Visibility. By just participating earnestly and soundly, a lot of people become aware of who you are.

Project your strengths by leveraging Social Media
Write Blogs, Books if you have time & Articles about your passions or information that can add value to others. Shoot Videos to project your knowledge and not necessarily regarding your work alone.
Share the link to relevant and interested parties and seek their feedback
Be a Good Networker

There’s a saying, ‘doing your good work and not networking is like winking at your potential date in the dark’. Its just not good enough to be good at your work. Strike conversations with strangers and talk to them. Join a networking group who have similar interests or can be potential customers or stakeholder in the future Now…the last one is awesome!!…..My favourite…Just Highlight Other People’s Success with aplomb
I love this. This is the best one I know. Imagine…you have a lot of people doing great around you. Just understand them and talk about their achievements aloud and people love you for that. Hope the ideas and insights in the blog is appreciated and liked.