| To avoid being ourselves a part of the general | | | | discipline and self-control to establish physical |
| social problem of mental health, we each must | | | | health and we require application of the same |
| follow a personal mental fitness programme just | | | | when we are ensuring the health of our emotional |
| as we follow our physical health programme. In | | | | state. As our emotions have a strong influence |
| this way we can anticipate a comfortable future | | | | upon our thinking we must remain positive to |
| for ourselves and contribute to a healthier society | | | | ensure that negative emotions have no chance to |
| in general.Many people have to learn to adjust to | | | | endanger the plans our mind sets for our life |
| physical disabilities and physical disease and often | | | | goals. Rather, we depend upon our strong and |
| can still lead relatively comfortable lives but mental | | | | happy emotions to give impetus to those |
| diseases are even more difficult. They have a | | | | goals.There is no point in spending mental energy |
| powerful negative effect upon our total well-being | | | | for a cause only to have its success undermined |
| as well as upon everybody around us and | | | | wayward emotions. And equally it is not |
| frequently one patient will require several helpers. | | | | satisfactory to have strong positive emotions |
| Without mental health life can become | | | | seeking expression but that are denied by our |
| unbearable.We know that there are certain habits | | | | own fear or negative thinking.Mind Must Master |
| and practices which will give us good physical | | | | The EmotionsFollowing the natural fluctuations and |
| health but how do we know what to do to keep | | | | difficulties between thoughts and emotions |
| ourselves mentally healthy? Where can we learn | | | | experienced in adolescence, it is fundamental to |
| to follow a mental health programme?Mental | | | | our character and well being that in maturity, our |
| Health RulesIf the rules and requirements for | | | | thoughts assume the responsibility of leadership |
| physical health and fitness are well known to be | | | | over our emotions. So when conflicts arise, as can |
| associated with hygiene, posture, nutrition, pure | | | | often occur, the mind can be responsible for |
| water, exercise, relaxation, sleep and rest, | | | | employing the emotions in such a way as to |
| sunshine, fresh air and the need for a clean, | | | | result in happy, positive outcomes.The mind must |
| natural environment, it seems reasonable that we | | | | assume the powerful role of benign Director of |
| can follow the same principles regarding our minds. | | | | our lives, encouraging our best emotions and |
| And if we apply these rules with the same | | | | subduing the negative. This is the starting point for |
| enthusiasm we give to physical fitness, we can | | | | mental fitness. Good teamwork between a |
| surely expect good results to follow.So to | | | | positive mind and balanced emotions results in an |
| maintain mental health we need a clear, | | | | ideal state to undertake mental fitness disciplines, |
| uncluttered mind, positive attitudes, nourishing or | | | | just as a physical fitness exercise programme is a |
| enriching thoughts and ideas, ample exercise to | | | | pleasant experience when the body is willing. |
| keep our minds strong and flexible, sufficient rest | | | | Conflict between mind and emotions generally |
| and sleep for restoration of our mental energies | | | | results in indecision, depression or in emotional |
| and a wholesome mental environment.Our mental | | | | storms which temporarily damage any |
| environment is as important for our minds as the | | | | determined intent of the mind.Most psychological |
| physical environment is for our bodies. Our minds | | | | tensions are based on this disparity between what |
| can only thrive in surroundings which are congenial | | | | our mind aims for and what our emotions desire. |
| and free of disturbing and negative thoughts and | | | | They must become co-operatively harnessed to |
| influences.Basically then, the rules when defined, | | | | a single purpose or at least oriented in the same |
| are seen to be simple, requiring only a degree of | | | | direction.Get to know your emotional moods and |
| self discipline in order to put them into effect. The | | | | energy and learn to be happy and to expand your |
| key to success is in the application of the | | | | capacity to experience positive emotions, the |
| principles. Then we can expect to retain our | | | | greatest of which is love. But let your emotional |
| intelligent grasp on life, keep our full mental | | | | nature be directed under the leadership of your |
| faculties unimpaired and retain a joy in living to the | | | | thought.Just Follow The RulesOnce we know the |
| end of our days.We may see others exercising | | | | role of the mind and its natural duty is to direct |
| for physical health and admire what they are | | | | our emotions, we can accept the responsibility |
| doing but we will never know the benefits they | | | | and feel confident that we can cope with any of |
| feel until we follow suit and do the same. We | | | | our own rebellious moods and emotions. We are |
| each must make our own effort and this is just | | | | then free to follow the mental health rules: We |
| the same regarding mental fitness. Those who | | | | need to keep a clear, uncluttered mind; maintain |
| are getting good results are already following the | | | | positive optimistic attitudes; entertain enriching |
| mental health rules.Concept Of Mental HealthTo | | | | thoughts and ideas; give exercise to our minds to |
| motivate us we have to have a concept to | | | | keep them both strong and flexible; ensure we |
| inspire us. So, just as we know how we feel | | | | have sufficient rest and sleep for restoration of |
| when our body is in a healthy state, we need to | | | | our mental energies; and provide ourselves with a |
| consider what constitutes an ideal healthy mental | | | | wholesome mental environment.Become Free Of |
| state. These signs of good mental function and | | | | StressStress is said to be the most common |
| expression are recognized in a person who has | | | | symptom of mental disease. It is difficult to avoid |
| balance and stability, mental strength, rationality, | | | | exaggerated responses and to remain un-phased |
| self-confidence, will power, vitality, mental | | | | by extremes in others and remain calm and |
| creativity, compassion, developed talents, | | | | rational at all times. A person who can do so |
| generosity, fearlessness, love and kindness. We | | | | earns our admiration and we should try to follow |
| refer to the ideal when we are assessing our own | | | | instead of reacting quickly according to our old |
| qualities.Our general concept also anticipates that | | | | habits.Negative moods and conditions of stress |
| such a person would be cheerful rather than | | | | and tension in others cause us to react quickly as |
| morose, calm instead of confused, ethical and law | | | | stress is infectious unless we keep a hold on our |
| abiding, truthful, fair minded and self controlled. | | | | responses just as we have to learn to handle our |
| Perhaps, we would also naturally anticipate that | | | | own stress to avoid affecting others in a negative |
| such an individual would have a good sense of | | | | way.We all experience minor symptoms of mental |
| humour as well as a capacity for logical thought | | | | disturbance or anxiety on occasion and it is best |
| and common sense. They would also possess a | | | | that we learn to deal with stressful situations as |
| degree of self confidence which would allow them | | | | they arise.There are many ways to deal with |
| to feel secure and therefore kindly disposed | | | | stress - from learning the art of relaxation and |
| towards others rather than expressing defensive | | | | meditation, yoga, tai-chi , taking up a hobby or a |
| behaviour and negative traits of personality.Any | | | | sport, deep breathing, herbal tonics and |
| healthy minded person is intelligent and creative | | | | supplements, therapeutic massage and so on. But |
| with a keen intellect, capable of generating new | | | | remember to be kind to yourself and be sure |
| thoughts and expressing a wholesome enthusiasm | | | | that you are caring for yourself as you should, |
| for life. This latter quality is perhaps of most | | | | enjoying a natural lifestyle of your choice, |
| importance. But we need to build up a clear | | | | developing your inherent talents and creating a life |
| picture of our own as to what we are aiming for | | | | which is according to your own plan. Then you will |
| in our efforts to achieve and maintain mental | | | | be so happy that there is no room for inner |
| health.Above all, we wish to live untroubled and at | | | | stress.If you should suffer anxiety which is not |
| peace within the inner world of our own | | | | due to obvious factors, it may be advisable to |
| mind.Thoughts And Feelings Are EntwinedThe | | | | seek the counsel of a professional psychologist |
| human psyche however, is a blend of both | | | | who can help you to regain perspective or advise |
| thinking and feeling. Our nature comprises a | | | | you appropriately.Stress is just another way of |
| partnership or co-operation between emotions | | | | saying something is wrong in our lives, whether it |
| and thought. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish | | | | is within ourselves, our circumstances or in regard |
| the difference between thought and feeling when | | | | to wrong decisions and choices. Each of us |
| they are blended, or even confused. But they are | | | | inwardly holds the key to what is causing our |
| certainly aspects of our nature which function on | | | | unhappiness. Each of us has the capacity to |
| different planes. Sometimes thought and feeling | | | | correct what is wrong if we are honest with |
| run parallel, sometimes not. For instance we can | | | | ourselves and are prepared to make changes.The |
| have happy thoughts and entertain similar joyful | | | | simplest way of relieving nervous tension is by |
| feelings or can have pleasant thoughts yet can | | | | practising relaxation and meditation, But there are |
| experience a feeling of foreboding. Our happiest | | | | many simple and natural ways of relieving stress |
| moments however, come from a positive and | | | | through self-help methods.It is important that you |
| harmonious blending of both aspects of our | | | | avoid taking drugs or medication for stress unless |
| psyche. So we must be sure that our thoughts | | | | you are under the care of a psychiatrist. |
| and our feelings work together.We require | | | | |