Mind Matters ....MIND It!
.
We seldom ponder to think of these utterances. Lets try and understand this " Mind matter" and why it matters to us .
Typically humans are characterized as having both a mind
( non physical) and body / brain ( physical). It is important to note that " mind" is not synonymous with brain .Think of brain as a hardware that allows us to experience these mental states that are labelled the "mind" ( software) . We are constantly referring to the 'mind' but we shy away from acknowledging its existence and significance.
Mind consists of mental states such as thoughts, emotions, beliefs, attitudes and Images. Different mental states can positively or negatively affect biological functioning. Attitudes , beliefs and emotional states ranging from love and compassion to fear and anger can trigger chain reactions that affect blood chemistry , heart rate and the activity of every cell and organ in the body - from the stomach and digestive tract to the immune system . Emotions can affect your body's reaction to stresses and strains , which can cause head and backaches and other physical causes.
We may have experienced this aspect of the mind-body connection when we feel butterflies in our stomach when we feel nervous or when our heart feels like it is pounding out of our chest when under intense stress.
Mind and body are fundamentally closely linked and their relationship can exert an influence on health and quality of life. Since its inception, World Health Organization has included mental well-being in the definition of health. WHO famously defines health as.....a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The WHO states that “there is no health without mental health.”
what is mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
We seldom ponder to think of these utterances. Lets try and understand this " Mind matter" and why it matters to us .
Typically humans are characterized as having both a mind
( non physical) and body / brain ( physical). It is important to note that " mind" is not synonymous with brain .Think of brain as a hardware that allows us to experience these mental states that are labelled the "mind" ( software) . We are constantly referring to the 'mind' but we shy away from acknowledging its existence and significance.
Mind consists of mental states such as thoughts, emotions, beliefs, attitudes and Images. Different mental states can positively or negatively affect biological functioning. Attitudes , beliefs and emotional states ranging from love and compassion to fear and anger can trigger chain reactions that affect blood chemistry , heart rate and the activity of every cell and organ in the body - from the stomach and digestive tract to the immune system . Emotions can affect your body's reaction to stresses and strains , which can cause head and backaches and other physical causes.
We may have experienced this aspect of the mind-body connection when we feel butterflies in our stomach when we feel nervous or when our heart feels like it is pounding out of our chest when under intense stress.
Mind and body are fundamentally closely linked and their relationship can exert an influence on health and quality of life. Since its inception, World Health Organization has included mental well-being in the definition of health. WHO famously defines health as.....a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The WHO states that “there is no health without mental health.”
what is mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health problem
The WHO stresses that mental health "is not just the absence of mental disorder." it implies fitness rather than freedom from illness.
Many people take care of their physical health before they feel sick. They may eat well, exercise and try to get enough sleep to help maintain wellness. You can take the same approach to mental health. Just as you may work to keep your body healthy, you can also work to keep your mind healthy/
Early Warning Signs of mental health problems:
Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
Comments
Post a Comment