Mind Body Spirit
Mind
What is mental health?
According to the World Health Organisation, it is “a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
The world today is a very stressful place. It is filled with the challenges of family, relationships, work, finances etc. We are bombarded daily with hundreds of overt and covert messages about what we should and shoudn’t be doing to be happy, be successful, be acceptable. Trauma, abuse, grief and loss, the breakdown of families and communities the disconnection of individuals …
The reality is that most of us live in a state of chronic stress trying to achieve these expectations and manage the consequences of pain and suffering. Stress can lead to depression, anxiety and anger, pain leads to avoidance through addictions and other harmful behaviours. These are all common problems in today’s society. Life can become a harsh and difficult place, devoid of joy.
Counselling, or psychotherapy, is “talk therapy” and can provide you with the opportunity to be heard and gain new perspectives on your situation and experiences. It provides a safe space and someone to walk beside you as you work through difficult or painful problems and explore new possibilities.
Mindfulness and meditation is also very beneficial in achieving and maintaining mental health. Some of the many benefits are: gaining a new perspective; managing stress; increasing self-awareness, patience and tolerance; and reducing negative emotions
“The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter and the spirit heals with joy”
Body
Your physical health is so much more than simply managing your weight and what you look like.
Physical well-being involves pursuing a healthy lifestyle to decrease the risk of disease. Maintaining physical fitness can protect and develop a person's breathing and heart function, muscular strength and balance, flexibility, body composition and reduce and prevent pain.
Good nutrition plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body, supplying energy, nutrients your body needs for growth and repair and helping prevent diet related illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.
Looking after your body and taking regular exercise is also a key factor in maintaining mental wellbeing.
It’s always easier with someone by your side, guiding and supporting you.
Spirit
Spiritual wellbeing is often a misunderstood concept.
It refers not to any particular religious or spiritual practice or ideology but to the human need for meaning, purpose and connection to something greater than ourselves.
It could be considered the most important aspect of wellbeing, giving context and meaning to all other parts of ourselves and our life experiences.
Spirituality can include connection to culture, community, religion and includes the beliefs, values and ethics you hold.
It is a deeply personal dimension of wellbeing and can mean something different to everyone.
Counselling and Meditation can help you explore what spirituality means for you.
