Rigorous yoga routine – check. Healthy, wholesome meals – check. 5-step beauty routine to put on your make-up AND another 5-step routine to remove it – check. Now, how about time set aside each day for relaxation? Not really? We often eke out the time to take care of our physical appearances, going to lengths to put aside time for exercise, or take care to put on make-up and make those appointments to keep ourselves well-groomed. And with good reason too, as keeping up with appearances is indeed important for the young and ambitious woman.
The mental aspect of wellness is just as important as the physical aspect, and the secret of many successful people is that they know the importance of mental well-being and strength, and take great efforts to ensure they are mentally in the pink of health too! Even the Queen Bey, Beyonce, recognises the importance of taking care of mental health. In an interview with ELLE magazine, she says: “Women have to take the time to focus on our mental health – take time for self, for the spiritual, without feeling guilty or selfish. The world will see you the way you see you, and treat you the way you treat yourself.”
Being mentally well means that all aspects of your psychological space are in order and well cared for. Things like your emotional and social well-being are also included. A healthy mind is not one that is merely free from mental issues such as depression, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or schizophrenia, just to name a few. A truly healthy mind is one that is inspired, clear, and buzzing with positive thoughts. People with good mental health are able to handle stresses in their stride, make good choices, and enjoy good relationships with others.
If you need any more convincing, we have pulled together 3 compelling reasons why taking care of your mental health is absolutely worth your time.
1) Mentally well people are more consistently productive and successful
People who are sound in mind and body are able to push through and work on a schedule rather than being ruled by their feelings. Mentally tenacious people don’t work only when they FEEL like working, they work when they have to. Not only that, their mental strength and health really helps them to overcome feelings of laziness and procrastination and produce work that is of high standards. With more mental clarity, it becomes easier to prioritise well too, so that you do the most important tasks first, ensuring that you deliver results like a pro. They can push themselves to excel and accomplish goals that they set for themselves, and they ultimately have the latitude to succeed.
2) Mentally well people are more attractive
Mental health and physical beauty have long had a complex relationship. In our image-obsessed culture, too many women have poor self-esteem. They believe that they are unattractive, and this is really damaging to their mental wellness. The converse is also true – a positive self-image translates into a more upbeat mental state of mind, more confidence and yep – you guessed it, a more attractive persona. So maintaining a clear and healthy mental space naturally leads others to perceive you as more attractive overall.
3) Mentally well people are more tenacious
Tenacity is a highly prized trait in our competitive society. Too many people give up too easily. Too many people are half-hearted in their efforts. Too many people don’t make it all the way. Success is not equal part ability and equal part tenacity; the balance tends to tip towards a heavier weightage on tenacity. And you will only know how much determination you have got with a healthy, uncluttered mind. Being free of mental issues and being in a positive frame of mind is the basis of building up a strong mental capacity for tenacity. After all, haven’t you heard too often that “it is all in the mind”?
At the end of the day, we need to arm ourselves with the knowledge that mental issues are REAL. Too many people suffer from some form of mental problems, and they may not even realise it. Even more people are not fully mentally well, being plagued by niggling worries or anxieties, or are prone to sudden mood swings that cause negativity. Being a strong, independent women does not make you exempt from the negative effects of an unhealthy state of mind, too. Remember that help is available to those who know how to ask for it, and the first step in striving for a healthier mind is in acknowledging its importance!