What Defines MENTAL HEALTH
Attitude; Positivity; Confidence
Positive action leads to self-confidence which leads to better mental health. Self-confidence fuels motivation, increases resilience, improves relationships, and allows authentic self-expression (Barnum, P., n.d.). Positivity is an aid in stress management, which is helpful in many health arenas. Stop negative self-talk to manage stress and improve positivity (Mayo Clinic Staff). Some things that Barnum (n.d.) suggests you can do to improve self-confidence: 1) write down a quote that inspires self-confidence in you; 2) When you greet people, smile and look into their eyes; 3) Express appreciation and gratitude when you receive a compliment; 4) Dress nicely and pay attention to personal grooming; 5) Help someone else. This makes you feel good about yourself and is helpful to them. Positive action leads to self-confidence and self-confidence leads to positive action in an upward spiral.
Education; Training
Education and/or training can boost mental health (Pearson Accelerated Pathways (January 12, 2022). Mental Health America (Education and Recovery) research indicates that education can stimulate “intellectual, social, and emotional horizons” which can aid mental health management and recovery. Becoming accomplished in a particular area boosts self-esteem, while being able to complete homework and classes and graduating from a school or training can further boost self-esteem. Furthermore, education can help you gain a job or attain other goals that you set for yourself. Education can help you understand more about yourself.
Creativity
A creative imagination can help with mental health, in that it can help with healing or managing trauma. Rubinstein and Lahad (2023) found that creativity, imagination, as well as playfulness predicted trauma resilience. Use of imagination in a wishful or fantastic mode is part of a new narration of the trauma, helping to boost and/or resolve resolution of the trauma.
Reading
Benefits of reading include: cognitive health (especially critical thinking and creativity): stress relief (changes focus from stressful events to fantasy; lowers heart rate; relaxes muscle); social engagement (book clubs, social media—important to combat isolation, depression and dementia); emotional health (develop empathy; experience your feelings which builds resilience and coping); entertainment (releases endorphins in brain, manage pain and stress); and stimulates neural pathways. To start reading more: join a book club either in person or online; go to the local library; create a book swap with family and/or friends; swap scrolling thru your phone for reading –just one time a day. Look for books on subjects you find interesting. Read books that people you admire read. Read before bedtime or while sipping a favorite beverage.
Curiosity
Curiosity is a sign of mental health, the stronger the better. Curiosity improves memory and creativity, enhances quality of life, and aids aging well. Curiosity lessens when experiencing stress, anxiety, or trauma, but expands when the experience of safety exists. To expand curiosity, try “revisiting childhood joys or doing something unexpected.”
Self-image; Self-concept
A positive self-concept is balanced and resilient and helps mental health in different ways. Positive self-concept is the foundation of emotional health and psychological state of being and resilience, which is a defense against mental health struggles and negative beliefs that can drive mood and mental health disorders. If you would like a more positive self-concept, cognitive behavioral therapy can help you by assisting you to challenge and reframe negative thoughts, provide coping skills, and practice assertiveness.
Intelligence
A high IQ is associated with obtaining academic success, better jobs, and higher pay--as long as you also have good Emotional Intelligence. An individual who has a high IQ and who is able to be outgoing and friendly; is self-confident; is open to new experiences; has organizational abilities; and especially, has strong communication skills (all of which compose emotional intelligence) is likely to reap the rewards of high intelligence (Huddleston, T., Jr., 2022). Intelligence can also help to make better decisions. IQ measures cognitive functions such as problem-solving, logical reasoning, and pattern recognition, which are undoubtedly important in decision-making (Ruby, K. J., 2024).
ENTHUSIASM
“Research shows that those who are enthusiastic about their lives tend to have better mental health than those who are not. This is thought to be due in part to the positive emotions and sense of accomplishment that enthusiasm provides” (Singh, R., 2023). Enthusiasm can lead to better mental and physical health, as well as better performance and can be developed—it does not have to be innate. There are different kinds of enthusiasm, such as learning, work, social, recreational, and passionate, emotional connection to a goal or activity (Singh, R., 2023) “Enthusiasm has a relationship with creativity: Studies have shown that people who are enthusiastic tend to be more creative and come up with more original ideas. Enthusiasm may facilitate the ability to think outside the box and approach problems in a different way (Singh, R., 2023). To cultivate enthusiasm in your life, according to Singh, R. (2023) add “techniques such as positive thinking, goal setting, and mindfulness.” Additionally, enthusiasm has a relationship with creativity: Studies have shown that people who are enthusiastic will tend to be more creative and come up with more original ideas. Enthusiasm facilitates the ability to think outside the box and approach problems in a different way.