Our brains are so efficient and quiet in their day-to-day activities that we often overlook what an astonishing and difficult effort it is to be mentally healthy. A healthy mind is constantly doing a near-miraculous set of maneuvers in the background that underpin our feelings of clarity and purpose. Consider some of what will be going on in the folds of an effectively functioning mind to gain a better understanding of what mental health is and what its antithesis entails.
A healthy mind is first and foremost an editing mind, an organ that manages to sieve those specific ideas and feelings that actively need to be entertained in order for us to lead our lives efficiently from thousands of wayward, dramatic, disturbing, or horrific thoughts. Part of this entails holding punitive and critical judgements at bay, which may want to tell us over and over how awful and appalling we are, long after severity has served no constructive purpose.
A healthy mind does not force us to listen to inner whispers that insist on our unworthiness when we are interviewing for a new job or going on a date. It enables us to converse with oneself as if we were conversing with a buddy. A healthy mind, on the other hand, rejects the allure of unfair comparisons. It doesn't enable the accomplishments and successes of others to constantly throw us off track and lead us to a feeling of bitter inadequacy. It doesn't torment us by constantly comparing our circumstances to those of folks who have had totally different upbringings and life paths. A healthy intellect understands the absurdity and cruelty of incessantly criticising one's own nature.
A healthy mind retains a tight grip on the fear faucet along the way. It understands that there are an infinite number of things we may be concerned about in theory: a blood vessel could burst, a scandal could emerge, and the plane's engines could rip off their wings. But it understands the difference between what could potentially happen and what is actually likely to happen—and it can leave us in peace about the more improbable outcomes of fate, certain that terrible things will either not happen or will be dealt with ably enough if they do. As a result, a healthy mind avoids catastrophic fantasies. It recognises that there are broad, secure stone stairs rather than a steep, slick incline between itself and disaster.
A healthy mind is divided into sections with hefty doors that close tightly. It has the ability to compartmentalise when it is required. Not all thoughts are appropriate at all times. When speaking with a grandma, the mind suppresses images of last night's sensual desires; when caring for a youngster, it suppresses its more pessimistic and misanthropic insights. Thoughts about jumping on a train or injuring oneself with a sharp knife can be fleeting odd flashes rather than long-term fixations. A healthy mind has perfected censorship tactics.
A healthy mind may sometimes calm its own buzzing preoccupations in order to focus on something other than oneself. It has the ability to be present and involved with what and who is right in front of it. It is not necessary to feel everything it is possible to feel at all times. It has the potential to be a good listener.
A healthy mind balances a healthy mistrust of certain people with a deep faith in humanity. It is capable of taking a calculated risk with a stranger. It doesn't extrapolate from life's darkest tragedies to rule out the prospect of something positive developing from a new friendship.
A healthy mind understands how to hope; it recognises and then clings to a few reasons to keep going. Anger and misery are all around us, but the healthy mind learns how to compartmentalise negativity in the name of endurance. It clings to the remnants of what is still lovely and kind. It remembers to be grateful; it can still look forward to a hot bath, some dried fruit or dark chocolate, a chat with a friend, or a satisfying day at work, despite everything. It refuses to be hushed by the numerous rational arguments in support of fury and despair.
Outlining some of the characteristics of a healthy mind might help us recognise what can go wrong when we become ill. We should recognise that mental illness is just as frequent as physical sickness, and that it is essentially unshameful.
True mental health necessitates an open admission of how much poor health will be present in even the most outwardly competent and meaningful existence. We should not be afraid to seek treatment any more than we are when we have a lung infection or a hurting knee, and we should not think of ourselves as less deserving of affection and sympathy.
True mental health involves an upfront recognition of how much poor health will persist even in the most seemingly competent and meaningful life.
We shouldn't be frightened to seek therapy any more than we would be