So today I wanted to talk more about mental health because I think it is not something that can be summed up in one or two blogs. Personally, I love learning about the mind and its capabilities especially because it is something I possess. The blog will explore some ‘mental health mistakes’ I believe people make inspired by things I’ve previously learnt, Dr Caroline Leaf and my own personal experiences. I believe that mental health is a spectrum and everyone is located somewhere on this 'conveyor belt'. Please note that anything written is not presented as fact and if you agree or disagree, please let me know- as I said I love learning new things.
So, here goes:
What mental health mistakes do we make?
1. Allowing toxic external factors to influence us
So this has great influence on us in many ways. Firstly, when someone surrounds themselves with negative influences, whether it be on the TV or the internet, especially from the beginning of time, it is a given that our mind will be accustomed to these external factors. Our minds will think in the ‘scope’ of these negative things and will undoubtedly be the foundation of our thoughts.
For example: let’s say my external factors are screaming “BLaCk PeOplE cAn’T MaKE iT In lIFE”, if that is all I’ve known or all I’ve fed myself on, when I, as a black person, want to do anything, this external factor that has now been ingrained in my thoughts, will act as a great barrier. I feel like the biggest way this is manifested is in anxiety: our heart wants to do one thing but because our mind is not in tune with this, being rooted in these external factors, we are riddled with worries and pressures to do anything contrary to thinking of our surroundings.
I understand, though, that some people do not have the opportunity to choose their external factors or are aware that it needs changing. So, first we must assess: Is my environment cultivating? Is my environment in conflict with who I want to be? Does my environment make my mental state worse off or better? Sometimes the problem isn’t even that it makes you worse off, but sustains your unhealthy mental state, thus leaving you in this ‘idle’ state.
This brings me onto my second point, how do we change our external factors?
Undoubtedly, there are some things you can’t escape so I suggest you ‘revere’ your mornings. The reason I say this is because I believe the same way breakfast is the most important meal of the day, I believe the morning is too. This is the time where you set your goals for the day, set up your mood for what follows and just think in the comfort of your own untainted silence.
Take this time to read a book, meditate, read the Bible, pray, sing, revise. Just let your mind start working on something that is edifying, which would make it much easier to deal with the rest of the day.
Also, cut out things you watch, see, people you speak to who are dragging you down! HOWEVERRRRR, I must say that I don’t really do this, I control my environment differently. I drown my environment with positivity and cultivation. For example, on instagram, for every ‘bad’ profile I follow, I have followed maybe three to counter. It’s not the best way, but at the end of the day we are all human and sometimes give in to our ‘worldly’ desires.
2. Exercising your brain
Dr Caroline Leaf says, “when it comes to mental ill-health, few people focus on the importance of learning for developing mental resilience and improving cognitive health [...] When we build our brains in the correct way, we increase our intellectual capacity, cognitive clarity and mental flexibility [ and we stop toxic structures coming into our brain, which can lead to anxiety, intrusive thoughts and even psychotic breaks]”.
The way I understand this is: so when I don’t go to the gym for a few days, I feel weaker (BOLO prec coming soon btw) and as for the brain, when we don’t exercise it, it also gets weaker. In the same vein, when we are not exercising our brain, nothing is coming in which leaves room for toxic thoughts, so by filling our mind will pleasant thoughts, memories and new skills, we are subsequently leaving no vacancy for anything else.
You can exercise your brain by doing something challenging or something that interests you because the more you build your brain, “the more confident, and less anxious” you will feel. Just like the gym , when I’ve worked out I will run for any bus even if I don’t need to.
3. Fearing Time
So, when it comes to time I believe that this is a great source of stress. Take A levels for example, my first exam is in 14 DaAaYyYssSs and I am lowkey stressing. I feel like I don’t have time and through this, have allowed toxic thinking to influence me- but (and as cringy as it sounds) I make time, time is not what makes me. (OMG LOOOL IM CRINGING). We often look at where we are now and where we want to be at at a certain and time and let that have an impact on our self worth and mental state.
Moreover, I don’t know about you guys but I tend to have a idyllic vision of life, and I want it NOW NOW NOW. When we want something, when we want to fix our mental health, we want it done straight away, which is understandable but all great things take time. In the same vein, we think that if something is taking time, it’s because we are failures or good things are not for us. Dr CL says that it takes 63 days to change negative thinking, and many of us give up on day 4.
Finally, one thing that I think is caused by all of this is thinking of the problem rather than the line of action or solution. We want to change our thinking, but because of all these factors not only does it not look attainable but the issues override the way forward. When we do this, we get caught up in toxic emotions that take the place of the ‘energy’ that is to drive us forward, then we are ‘stuck in the air’ (I'm aff, I don't know what the saying is). What I would say about this is that is that none of us have been reincarnated so we really can’t assume what life is like and even if we were, we are a new person now. Our past and present don’t define but they can affect your future: you can either let your future be circumscribed by you now or use it as a driving force to get into a better place.
Mental health isn’t an easy thing to control, but at the end of the day we are the only ones with the power to do so.
Health is wealth. Gang, gang. The End.
Inspiration and Doctor for mental health- https://drleaf.com
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