The What & Why of Mental Health?

Mental health & wellness is a key to healthy life.

When you are physically or emotionally stressed, your body releases stress hormones that can affect all your systems and organs. For example, stress related to hostility and anxiety can result in disruptions in heart and immune function. Similarly, depression and distress may diminish the body’s natural capacity to heal. Research shows that being stressed and having negative emotions can be unhealthy, and that every 1 in 5 people (if not more) is suffering from mental health concerns today.

Early Warning Signs

Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a mental wellness problem:

• Having unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling helpless or desperate
• Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
• 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
• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, worried, angry, upset, or scared
• Shouting 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 getting to work 

The goal of mind-body techniques is to get the body and mind to relax and to reduce the levels of stress hormones in the body, so that your immune system is better able to fight the mental health. At Atmantan we believe in the healing synergy between body, mind and soul and we achieve this by combining the principles of traditional time-tested medicine from ancient India that are scientifically proven techniques in these current times.

Read along to get in depth view of how our ancient beliefs can help achieve a state of mental health retreat.

Most resources world-over are channeled into treating mentally ill patients, rather than developing an integrated mental health wellness system. Well-integrated mind-body medicine uses the power of thoughts and emotions to prevent physical manifestations. As Hippocrates once wrote, “The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.”

Most of the traditional healing practices prevalent in India such as Naturopathy, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese medicines emphasise on the link between mind and body, while the western medical system are shaped around the opposite thoughts and according to this mind and body are separate entities. 

Traditionally, the basis of the body-mind-soul medicine has always been to train the mind to focus without any distraction. Such focused concentration helps one improve mental health wellness and cure bodily manifestations. Some of the most commonly used techniques are cognitive therapies, relaxation techniques such as yoganidra, breathe awareness, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, Pranic healing, crystal energy healing techniques etc. 

One can improve on their mental well-being by taking better care of themselves, instead of hurting and judging themselves. We are all as healthy as our mind is…

Some tips for improved Mental Health and Wellness

• Learn to talk about your feelings to others who you feel comfortable
• Keep yourself active by doing regular exercise which will boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate, sleep, and look and feel better. Exercise also helps to keep the vital organs healthy, which will contribute to your mental health.
• Healthy eating – the food you consume should be nourishing your mind and only providing nutrition to your body. 
• Avoid alcohol, smoking & other substance drugs – these are only a temporary mood changer and in a long run it can take the control over your mind
• Always keep the lines of communication open. Create a good support circle for yourself as those with this are known to be mentally stronger and sounder
• Share your responsibilities when needed. We are not super humans to do everything ourselves. This will help you relieve your stress which can complement to your mental health. 
• Take frequent breaks from whatever you are involved in over a longer period. It is always recommended to take a walk if you have to sit for longer hours at work
• Use your creativity wisely. Involve yourself in doing something you are good at. This is a mood and self-worth booster
• Accept who you are – comparing ourselves with others can only bring disappointment and frustrations. 
• Ask for help – reach out to trusted people in your circle and Doctors for guidance, help and support
• Learn to care for others – utilise your skills to do good for others. Your destiny will treat you the way you treat people around you