How are you? Are you ok? We wanted to take a moment to ask.
#ruok #areuok
Did you know that simply asking someone this question – and really meaning it! – can make a big difference? These three words can be so powerful at the right time.
Sunday, 10 October 2021 is World Mental Health Day.
This year’s theme is “Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality”. #WorldMentalHealthDay
So why not make it your mission today to ask someone this very important question!
In these strange and indeed testing times, we have been locked down, quarantined, isolated from friends and family. Faced with a multitude of unprecedented restrictions, together with having to get our heads around new norms, we need to know quite simply that it’s OK to not be OK!
That goes not only for the people around us but for ourselves too. When someone asks how you are, do you – like most of us– automatically reply “Fine, thanks”? Odds are you don’t even think before answering: instead, you respond automatically.
Let’s take this a step further. When we answer this sincere question untruthfully, is it because we believe we should feel fine and we’re ashamed that we don’t? Or are we afraid that it’s simply a rhetorical question, and that a truthful answer would be seen as either boring or unwelcome? If this is how you’re feeling and thinking, there’s every likelihood that the same goes for many of those around you – be they family members, friends, colleagues or acquaintances.
So, in these unprecedentedly challenging times, we believe it’s important to tackle three burning questions. Firstly, what is mental health? Secondly, how do we look for signs of mental illness? Finally, and most importantly, what can we do to look after our mental health?
Like health in general, mental health is not merely the absence of illness. Instead, it’s about positive wellness – a state of psychological wellbeing, emotional adaptability and cognitive resilience. True mental health describes a state of mind that allows us to function well in society, cope with the stresses and strains of everyday life, and achieve our potential as human beings.
“Mental health refers to cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It is all about how people think, feel, and behave.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154543
However, the mind has been accurately described as “a fragile thing”. Every one of us can be vulnerable to poor mental health at any stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood and old age. Mental health issues are a stark reality that’s becoming more and more prevalent. And now, after close to two years of pandemic-related social restrictions, community divisions and economic uncertainty, it’s no wonder that anxiety and depression in particular are increasingly on the rise.
According to Medecine Net, there are 5 key signs of mental illness to look out for:
While we at Bawah are not medical experts, wellbeing is enormously important to us – alongside sustainability, it’s one of the key pillars of our philosophy.
However, we’re deeply aware that everyone is different, no two sets of circumstances are exactly alike, and there is definitely no single path towards improving your mental health. That said, we’d like to refer you to several uplifting blogs that may help at a difficult moment.
- Just feeling a bit “bleugh”? Try these 5 easy steps to pick yourself up! And don’t forget that sometimes we simply need a break!
- Seven to nine hours of shut-eye is essential for optimal health. For those who are struggling with sleephere are some tips that may help.
- Need to clear the monkey mind? Why not try a digital detox – we dare you!
- You could also try writing all your thoughts down – it can be an amazingly revealing, cathartic and constructive process.
- Finally, the ancient art of meditation is a huge mental well-being trend right now , as are stargazing, Zentangle art and sound bathing.
Remember, we are here if you need us. We want you to be OK!