Sometimes the easiest way to see what helps is to ask what would make things worse. A provocative reflection on the small daily choices that quietly pull us away from feeling well.
You can’t knock any of this when you take it on face value and you do admit that there are others factors involved - but it very much works on a basal assumption that humans make decisions based on logic which the majority don’t – and it also doesn’t take into account the fact that the diagnosed conditions are at play – if you’re depressed you don’t care enough to even brush your teeth or wash – that’s where you’re at – the sugary snack may provide a small moment of happiness/pleasure in a dark place – when anxious you don’t want to be around people – the gym is one of the last places you wanna be right now – and isolation is safety - it’s less overwhelming… this list could go on and on.
In no way at all am I saying this is wrong because it’s 100% right – but only if you look at it from one perspective .
You can know something isn’t helping long term but it’s what you need or want or feel in the moment. And yes that’s an issue. But it’s also the issue.
If You aren’t thinking rationally or logically and you don’t really care about anything.
But generally speaking it was a very good read and the point is very important and clear.
I think this is a fair point. I hesitated before publishing the article in case it got misunderstood, so I’m glad you’ve raised this.
I wanted to highlight the impact of choices we make that can contribute to some mental health symptoms, rather than describe behaviours that are mental health symptoms in themselves. But they overlap so much it can be hard to make the distinction clear.
Many of the behaviours I listed can simply be unhelpful choices, but they can also be symptoms or consequences of more complex mental health problems.
Mental health is not only about lifestyle and habits. Biology, trauma, environment, relationships, grief, and many other factors all play a role too. In my practice, I often help people experiencing complex mental health problems, and in many cases lifestyle is not at the core of them. But I also believe that making small lifestyle changes can make a massive difference to someone’s physical and emotional functioning.
Honestly as someone who has had or allowed (very much both) their whole life to be dictated and controlled by mental health and actually have huge respect for anyone who puts out this type of post - because the bottom line is - this is what needs to be done - this is what people need to be told - this is what we must do.
I have surrendered so many times to it and just waved the white flag and I’m not bashing myself for doing it because at times I just didn’t have anything in me or desire to do differently.
But there are many times I didn’t take accountability- is shifted blame - I hung onto excuses and used labels to my advantage when it suited.
We need to have these tough conversations because the way I see things going it’s not gonna end well
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m glad it helped you reflect. I think it’s easy to get stuck in trying to change too much in one go. Sometimes making one small lifestyle change can be more productive than trying to change everything at once and potentially burning out before we can see the positive results.
You can’t knock any of this when you take it on face value and you do admit that there are others factors involved - but it very much works on a basal assumption that humans make decisions based on logic which the majority don’t – and it also doesn’t take into account the fact that the diagnosed conditions are at play – if you’re depressed you don’t care enough to even brush your teeth or wash – that’s where you’re at – the sugary snack may provide a small moment of happiness/pleasure in a dark place – when anxious you don’t want to be around people – the gym is one of the last places you wanna be right now – and isolation is safety - it’s less overwhelming… this list could go on and on.
In no way at all am I saying this is wrong because it’s 100% right – but only if you look at it from one perspective .
You can know something isn’t helping long term but it’s what you need or want or feel in the moment. And yes that’s an issue. But it’s also the issue.
If You aren’t thinking rationally or logically and you don’t really care about anything.
But generally speaking it was a very good read and the point is very important and clear.
I think this is a fair point. I hesitated before publishing the article in case it got misunderstood, so I’m glad you’ve raised this.
I wanted to highlight the impact of choices we make that can contribute to some mental health symptoms, rather than describe behaviours that are mental health symptoms in themselves. But they overlap so much it can be hard to make the distinction clear.
Many of the behaviours I listed can simply be unhelpful choices, but they can also be symptoms or consequences of more complex mental health problems.
Mental health is not only about lifestyle and habits. Biology, trauma, environment, relationships, grief, and many other factors all play a role too. In my practice, I often help people experiencing complex mental health problems, and in many cases lifestyle is not at the core of them. But I also believe that making small lifestyle changes can make a massive difference to someone’s physical and emotional functioning.
Honestly as someone who has had or allowed (very much both) their whole life to be dictated and controlled by mental health and actually have huge respect for anyone who puts out this type of post - because the bottom line is - this is what needs to be done - this is what people need to be told - this is what we must do.
I have surrendered so many times to it and just waved the white flag and I’m not bashing myself for doing it because at times I just didn’t have anything in me or desire to do differently.
But there are many times I didn’t take accountability- is shifted blame - I hung onto excuses and used labels to my advantage when it suited.
We need to have these tough conversations because the way I see things going it’s not gonna end well
So I like the article - thank you
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m glad it helped you reflect. I think it’s easy to get stuck in trying to change too much in one go. Sometimes making one small lifestyle change can be more productive than trying to change everything at once and potentially burning out before we can see the positive results.
This really makes you stop and think about how many small habits quietly add up over time. Great read.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Dino. I'm glad you enjoyed it. What is the one small habit you're currently trying to change? :)
I'm working on not checking my emails. it's not easy!
I’m trying to practice mindfulness and staying present in the moment instead of constantly thinking ahead or getting distracted.
I can see how not checking your email isn't easy!
Sounds like a valuable change you’re introducing there, especially in this distracted world! 🧘🏼♂️