Health is defined as a “state of being free from illness or injury”. Although, being healthy encompasses a myriad of aspects but primarily its the physical and mental states which are of most importance. Physical health is a top priority for some of us who know what suffering from an ailment means; and for those who are touchwood keeping fine- we still work on ourselves. (Ofcourse, the beauty apps can do only much to make you look good!).
Joke apart, what we all miss out on and take for granted is our mental health. Preferably let’s call it a “life condition”. When its low there are a multitude of feelings ranging from just being bored, sad, unhappy, begrudging, regretting, feeling jealous, powerlessness, decision fatigue, procrastination, incompleteness, inability of enjoy life to the fullest or at the extreme the loss of sense of reality etc. The list is long.
This happens absolutely to all of us regardless of how much money we earn, what religion we follow, whichever gender we are and ofcourse age doesn’t matter too! It has happened, happens and will keep happening to everyone! I feel better because thankgod I am no exception! Alas! We are all worldly beings with a heart that aches, relishes, soothes, heals in different times. But sorry, this organ heart is always declared as a culprit. That poor thing is just like a pump- it doesn’t know anything other than contraction and expansion.
The Big Boss here is : “The Mind!” There are various regions in the brain that make you react or respond to situations in a particular manner. So, it is not your fault if you broke your phone while you fought with your girl friend or you chose to just duck down and not meet anyone when you failed an exam or when you were detected with an illness. Its okay!
This reaction pattern is formed over ages- it formed even when you weren’t even born- its in your DNA, when you were in your mummy’s tummy, how our parents treated each other and you, whether or not you got a wholesome meal at night, how comforting was the sight of school and teachers was, how you dated the right or the wrong person in college, which kind of songs and movies dominated you early life, which kind of friends you spent your most time with, how your spouse treated you, how your children treated you, how you handled the major crises in life….so many things form both tangible and intangible form an impression on our mind that we react to situations the way we do now.
But the good news is that the brain development can happen each day, each moment, its happening now also- when you are reading this article. We can re-wire the brain by not being very harsh to ourselves. Yes, I know the concept of tough love! But, if we want to be all kind, gentle, compassionate to others, why not to ourselves? It’s all in our perception whether life is mockery or misery. But, in actuality it’s a mystery. Find it yourself.
Whenever we start perceiving ourselves as a person always trying to escape reality and depending on objects living or non living and finding happiness outside of us- we perceive that life is better! We start to think that we are happy because of the presence of money, fame, people, fan following, degrees, prefixes before our name, power, position etc.
All that you will earn here, will stay here! It will either be stolen or taken or inherited. Nothing will go with you. If you feel very sad – this is the crucial hour- meet yourself! You might be tattered and shaken and really in a hundred thousand pieces - but it is at this moment that you cannot let go of yourself. Don’t escape this feeling! I would romanticize it by saying- connect with god, get spiritual, get real and start working on yourself.
Start to understand your physical and mental reactions to various situations. What makes you happy? Try to listen to your mind, it speaks through increased heart rate and blood pressure when you are angry, or tears when you are sad, or palpitation when you are anxious. Just observe these signs and change the pattern of your action. Just simply change the way you would have reacted to this situation earlier.
Example, see how when we are really sad, automatically we start playing a sadder song than our situation. We try to make the brain understand that this is the way it should feel now. But, this time when you get sad, try putting a peppy number or kick boxing or dancing with your hair open or get a haircut. Let loose buddy! Understand the cue of your misery- remember how you reacted always to this situation and this time rewire your brain and try a new way to cope up. Last but not the least- Its not a crime to ask for help! Just overcome this time alone or with someone and be prepared to meet a better version of you!
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