Why it is important to keep a healthy mind

We live in a 24/7 world where much is visual - so it is not surprising we often place more value on our bodies than we do our minds. Because our minds are not on show, they tend to get forgotten. Feelings of rejection, abandonment and loneliness get worse if we choose to ignore keeping our mental health, well, healthy.

Loneliness is a big problem in today's modern world, affecting all ages and all stages of life. If we allow loneliness to dominate our thinking then we risk creating deep psychological wounds which can make us afraid to reach out for fear of rejection.

As a result we risk becoming socially isolated and worst and most harmful of all - disconnected. It becomes a slippery slope where we risk clinical depression, a sense of futility and worthlessness. This can manifest itself in a depressed immune system which further risks leaving us vulnerable to chronic health conditions. Loneliness can lead to addictions such as drink, drugs, eating disorders. Which can ultimately kill us.

As a therapist, I encourage clients to pay great attention to their psychological health. I guide them to develop awareness of their mental health, to note what thoughts they are having, especially when they are on their own.

It takes work to break the negative cycle of thinking in which we have immersed ourselves.  But we owe it to ourselves that we do so.

As human beings, we often neglect our own well-being. We tend not to practise self-compassion. We are not very good at looking after ourselves. Yet it is vital we do. Keeping our minds healthy is literally a life saver. One way to show self-compassion is to ask ourselves 'what would I do for my best friend?' and then we need to do that for ourselves. That way we can build emotional resilience.

Overthinking can get in the way of building inner strength so it is important to find healthy distractions - if only for a few minutes each day. That's a few minutes less spent in poor psychological health and more time focusing on attaining good mental health.