Mental Health

End of November, the Luxembourg government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, launched a campaign called “Dépressioun: Komm mir schwätzen driwwer” – which addresses… yep:

Mental Health

How much consideration do you give your mental health? Did you ever before consider taking care of your psyche as well as your body?

Mental health is no longer a taboo subject! Depression is not a modern get-out-of-work free card. It’s a very serious subject which, unfortunately, comes with the pressures of the times.


Mental Health 

Depression: Let’s talk about it!
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. More than 300 million people are now living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015. The WHO continues to define depressions as “a common mental disorder, characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities.”

People with depression normally have several of the following: a loss of energy; a change in appetite; sleeping more or less; anxiety; reduced concentration; indecisiveness; restlessness; feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness; and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

I myself suffered from depression and mental health disorders, and the reason why ELATE Wellbeing Luxembourg was born, is because I don’t want you to suffer alone!


Suffering
Suffering is a very personal experience – and no one can take it away from you!

In the “Book of Joy” by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it is suggested that you cannot end your suffering – but extend it to a more universal level, so that you feel all en globing compassion.

The idea is to know that although the suffering you feel is your own personal experience, know that other people suffer too – and because we are all connected with each other in the universe – one’s suffering is somewhat everyone’s suffering.

Theoretically speaking.
And because we can all suffer together, we can also all be together to un-suffer. 

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.
Helen Keller


Wait what?
Look at poetry, look at art, look at what great things can come out of depression and sadness.

Depression and sadness can be the root of a many fruitful chef d’oeuvre in literature, art, culture, or even in your personal story.

You can take the basis of your suffering to make something productive – turn your suffering into something greater than yourself. Like artists do.

But if you don’t have the courage, nor the means, or the creativity or such to do so, what were you going to do?

Sit alone in the dark and suffer?
Been there, done that – it’s awful.

When you look at the dark side, careful you must be. For the dark side looks back.
Yoda


Your Mental Health Matters
First things first. There is absolutely no reason – none whatsoever – to feel ashamed!
Nor shame, nor guilt!
Second, be aware that the road ahead is not straightforward, and that you may have setbacks, hills and stones.

It’s not a clear mathematical formula. There is not one simple rule, and there certainly is not one magic formula.

Mental health includes your emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing: therefore, take a look at yourself, take a look at Your Life in a holistic way.

Everything is interlinked: your cells, your organs, your brain, your mind, your thoughts, your actions, your emotions… even your surroundings, your social life and your work.

Every damn thing.

The more you work on all levels (individually or collectively), the more likely you are to augment your success.

The first step will be to admit to yourself that you need – that you want to change.


Commit to Your Wellbeing
While there is not one magic spell you could cast to make it all better, and everything disappear at once, you can choose to take little steps at a time.

Admit to yourself that you need help
Then find something that is right for you. For me personally, it was a combination of therapy, coaching, yoga, acupuncture, meditation, sports and, just in general, cleaning up my life.

Find help

It doesn’t have to be therapy, it doesn’t have to be life coaching, it doesn’t have to be yoga – but it can. It can also be a book, it can be a seminar, it can be spiritual (yes, and why not?). Try not to overdo it and go from one extreme to the other. Be cautious and conscious in your choices.

Make small changes
Don’t try and change everything at once. Patience pays. Just make a small step first, like get up 10 minutes earlier every day and sit in meditation. Take one evening out of the week to join a group workout. Find something that brings you joy.

Legacy and purpose
This is really important. As long as you continue to live in karma, creating an equal and opposite reaction to each of your action, you will remain stuck in the proverbial hamster wheel. Find a purpose in contributing to something greater than yourself.

Stick to the plan! Don’t give up!
Keep on going even if it hurts. You can do it – believe in yourself.
Always believe in yourself.


In Conclusion

Mental health concerns all of us. The pace of the Age of Aquarius is fast, and can be quite challenging for many of us. The demands on the human brain and the nervous system have never been as great as they are today. To be able to keep up with the pressure of the times, you got to equip yourself with what Yogi Bhajan calls a self-sensory system. Self-sensory awareness meaning that you cede the authority from your mind to your soul, and this new self-sensory system will bring us together as One Human Consciousness. Are you ready to take the next step?

 

Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.
Paramahansa Yogananda

Sat Nam

Light & Love

2 thoughts on “Mental Health”

  1. Hurrah! Finally I got a blog from where I be capable of truly take useful
    information concerning my study and knowledge.

    1. Very glad to hear that 🙂

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