Benefits of mental wellness

 The absence of mental illness does not equal mental health. Just as the lack of physical illness does not equal physical wellness.

To reap the benefits of mental health, special attention to the growth of practices that improve mental health is necessary. There’s, unfortunately, no magic wand, magic pill, or special potion that will move someone along the continuum of mental health.

Personal intention and consistent practice of daily interventions are vital to realizing the benefits. Consider your mental health like a piggy bank. We will inevitably have interactions and experiences that are negative that deplete that bank. Those who have a consistent practice in boosting mental health have a larger account in which they regularly deposit those dividends.

Being “north of neutral” doesn’t happen by accident. Let’s explore where you can see some of these benefits. Improving your mental health improves not only you but also the world around you. The state of our mental health affects our relationships. Imagine the possibilities of realizing the benefits of positive mental health.

The benefits of intentionally practicing to improve mental health are a response to the chronic stress reported at epidemic levels around the world. Chronic stress has been proven to deteriorate the hippocampus (McLaughlin, Gomez, Baran, & Conrad, 2007).

This stress also leads to decreased concentration and memory, confusion, loss of sense of humor, anger, irritability, and fear. Obviously, stress is not good for the brain, and improved mental health practices can reduce the risk.

Other benefits of mental health include, but aren’t limited to:

Reduction in anxiety.

Improved moods.

Clearer thinking.

A greater sense of calm or inner peace.

Increased self-esteem.

Reduced risk of depression.

Improvements in relationships.

The development of practical coping skills has never been more necessitated in this ever-changing world. Rather than continuing to simply soldier on, a focus on thriving through adversity is where mental health benefits can be achieved. Improved mental health has been well documented with the introduction of improved levels of physical fitness.

The fitness industry has decades of research showing the benefits of taking special and intentional care of one’s body. The concept of being mentally healthy is not necessarily new, but it certainly has more areas of growth in scientific research. This is likely because historically, medicine has studied what was wrong so that it could be cured.

A more recent approach to physical and mental well-being has been prevention. Exercise is a preventative activity for both physical and mental health. When you strengthen your body, there is less pain in aging. The same can be said for strengthening our mental health.

Benefits of mental health through physical fitness include, but aren’t limited to:

Sharper memory.

Clarity in thinking.

Higher self-esteem.

Better sleep.

Increased energy.

Stronger resilience.

Counseling has, unfortunately, had a stigma attached. The medical model was developed to fix what was “broken.” People receiving counseling are not broken. Human beings are malleable and can rewire themselves. A professional counselor can help with this plasticity by allowing the release of painful or unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

Potential Benefits of Counseling:

Improvement in communication and interpersonal skills.

Greater self-acceptance.

Increased self-esteem.

Improved self-expression and management of emotions.

Relief from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

Clarity.

Coaching is another area where practitioners can increase the benefits of mental health. While coaching is not therapy, it can be very therapeutic. Having a trained coach can create areas of growth that clear the way for massive personal improvement.

Potential Benefits of Coaching:

Learning acceptance and self-appreciation

Improved connection with self and others

Simplifying life

Reduced stress

Harmony and peace

Increased self-awareness

Reduction in isolation

Improvements in relationships

Improved communication

Overcoming procrastination

Gaining work and or life satisfaction

Increased self-reliance

Improved decision making

Mindset shifts

Increased self-worth

Improved time management skills