Navigating Mental Health

In this week's episode, I'll be exploring a subject that has received significant attention lately, and that topic is Mental Health.

We will share some tips that could help you feel better. 

1. Seek help
2. The Mind-Body Connection
3. Build resilience
4. Create a Personal Action Plan
5. Self-Care and Mental Health

Connect with Virginie de Malavois on LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/virginiedemalavois 

Transcript

Welcome to episode number three of our podcast "Coach & Grow with V"! In this episode, I'll be exploring a subject that has received significant attention lately, and that topic is Mental Health.

Perhaps you've noticed this with some of your friends or family, but the common belief is that if you are mentally healthy, it means that you are happy all the time. I believe this is far from the truth. Mental health and happiness are not inherently correlated; you can be mentally healthy and still experience unhappiness. And happiness is only the tip of the iceberg.

Let’s redefine what it means to be mentally healthy. Mental health is as vital as physical health, yet it often takes a backseat in our busy lives. Today, I want to emphasize the importance of taking care of your mental well-being.

Throughout this episode, we'll explore the multifaceted nature of mental health, emphasizing that it involves more than just happiness and encompasses resilience, emotional intelligence, coping mechanisms, and self-awareness. I ll also share 5 tips that could help you feel better. 

Let’s start with defining what mental health truly means.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, behave, and act in a way that helps us to perform at our best – in our personal lives with family and friends, at work, and in the community.

It plays a significant role in our daily lives. 

Unfortunately, there's still a taboo surrounding mental health, which often prevents people from seeking help or discussing their struggles openly. It's essential to remember that experiencing mental health challenges is a part of being human, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Showing our vulnerabilities is a sign of strength. Being true to ourselves is a sign of strength.

During times of uncertainty and periods of isolation, feelings of stress, exhaustion, and anxiety are common and you may need a little more support to simply navigate your day-to-day. 

The real question for me is How to manage our lives in a way where we can have well-being?

Let me walk you through 5 tips you could leverage today

1- Seeking help

First of all, seek help. Speak up! Don’t be shy; tell your loved ones or a specialist about how you feel, about what is on your mind. There is no shame in it. You are human. You are a normal person. Remember, you don't have to go through it alone.

If you are not comfortable talking to someone, there are great self-help books that you can read to guide you on that journey.

✨ One book that I really like is 'Evolve Your Brain' by Joe Dispenza, where he explores the relationship between the human brain, thoughts, emotions, and overall well-being. It presents scientific insights and practical exercises to empower individuals to rewire their brains and transform their lives through conscious thought and intention.

2- The Mind-Body Connection

Secondly, the mind-body connection. 

Our mental and physical health are closely interconnected. When we neglect our mental health, it can have a detrimental impact on our physical well-being. Stress, for example, can lead to various health issues. Before experiencing health issues, you may find yourself procrastinating and feeling guilty about it.

✨ For instance, because you are tired and overwhelmed, you might not exercise at all. You will come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid exercise. Don’t be too hard on yourself, though; just think about what is best for you or what will have the most positive impact. Exercising regularly not only has an impact on your body and appearance but also on your mental well-being.

Taking care of your mental health can improve your overall quality of life

3- Building resilience

The third tip is about building resilience.

Building resilience is another crucial aspect of mental health. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, such as facing economic difficulties (like losing your job), dealing with the death of a loved one, or navigating conflicts at work or at home.

Building resilience comes over time. For those who have listened to previous episodes of my podcast, you've heard me say, ✨“To take yourself to the next level, you have to be the beginner of that next level. If everything needs to be perfect, you will never be.”

Allow yourself to feel discomfort, allow yourself to be unhappy, and embrace all emotions, from anxiety to calmness, from excitement to sadness. Allow both positive and negative emotions. Remember, you can't be happy all the time.

Resilience can be developed through practices like awareness and perspective shift. Let's be honest about the current situation and acknowledge it to ourselves and to others if we feel like it. For instance, I gained 10 kilos because I didn't exercise for a while. It is what it is. If you're not comfortable with those 10 kilos, take action to change it, don’t procrastinate. 

You can also change your perspective on the situation. Losing your job might be tough, but remember, you will find a better one that suits you even better.

4- Creating a Personal Action Plan

Our fourth tip is one that I like the most. Creating a personal action plan. 

Now, let’s move forward. Once you've voiced your problem or concern to yourself or to the world (first of all, you should feel relieved at some point), and once you're ready to take action, I encourage you to create a personal action plan for nurturing your mental health. Identify specific activities or practices that you can incorporate into your daily life to prioritize your mental well-being. 

✨ It could be allowing yourself to have a lunch break instead of binge-eating all day; it could be going out with some friends after work; or anything that will make you feel good. Experience positivity to recharge your batteries. I am a huge believer in building future plans: the next vacations, what I am going to do in 1, 5, 10 years from now. Things that inspire me.

Write it down. In your calendar, on your notepad, with a sticker on the fridge—whichever method you feel most comfortable with. Just make sure to mark it down somewhere

5- Self-Care and Mental Health or the Unconditional Self-love

Our last tip today is about self-care, or what I call unconditional self-love. 

Self-care is a fundamental aspect of maintaining good mental health. It's not about selfishness; it's about nurturing yourself so that you can better navigate life's challenges. You are going to make mistakes, and hurt people’s feelings... it is part of human life. Have compassion for yourself. 

✨Self-care can include activities like meditation, exercise, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing hobbies

To wrap up today’s episode, remember that nurturing your mental health is an ongoing journey. It requires self-awareness, self-compassion, and a commitment to taking care of yourself. By doing so, you can lead a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Thank you all for joining me today. I hope this session has inspired you to prioritize your mental health and take meaningful steps toward a happier, more balanced life. Remember, you are not alone on this journey, and seeking help is a sign of strength. Take care, and be well.

I would love to hear your thoughts afterward.