It is World Mental Health Day! This day is an opportunity to re-kindle our efforts to protect and improve mental health. This year’s theme is making mental health & well-being for all a global priority. The past few years, with everything that has been going on in our world, have undoubtedly been more difficult on our mental health. Many aspects of mental health have been challenged.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health. Estimates put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. Growing social and economic inequalities, protracted conflicts, violence and public health emergencies affect whole populations, threatening progress towards improved well-being. Nevertheless, stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care.
At IMEQ IMEQ© we are committed to helping maritime companies and organizations create psychologically healthy and safe workplaces by providing recruitment services, mental health trainings, and consulting services to increase organizational well-being, optimize workplace safety and enhance employee satisfaction. Because we know that Mental Health Matters!
“The concept of total wellness recognizes that our every thought, word, and behavior affects our greater health and wellbeing.” - Greg Anderson
Understanding why mental health matters
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and is essential for leading a happy life. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
Family history of mental health problems
Mental Health plays a crucial role in relationships. The link between mental health and relationships is one of the most compelling reasons for its importance. Mental Illness might have an impact on how we interact with our friends and family. Mental illnesses frequently result in passive-aggressiveness, hostility, and the incapacity to participate in social activities. This may result in conflicts with our friends and family. Mental illness has the potential to compel us to overthrow our loved ones for no apparent reason.
Mental Health also affects physical health. Mental illness can induce stress and have an effect on our immune systems. As a result, our bodies ability to cope with illness may be jeopardized. A sick mind can lead to anxiety and sadness, both of which can make it difficult to move about and stay active. The mind-body connection is well-established, which is why mental health awareness is so crucial.
Furthermore, Mental Health is related to emotional wellbeing. Every day, how you feel on the inside is just as important as how physically healthy you are. A negative mind can make you feel down, irritated, or disturbed. Taking care of your emotional well-being can help you be more productive and effective at work and in your daily activities.
“Health is a state of body. Wellness is a state of being.” - J. Stanford
How can we boost our mental health and promote wellbeing
Practice Gratitude
Emotions like gratitude and appreciation open your heart and lift the energy in your body. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity. A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness has been associated with mental benefits such as stress relief as well as physical benefits. Mindfulness means paying attention to each thought that comes to you, and simply observing how it makes you feel. When your mind wanders, you gently bring your attention back to one thing. When you practice that, you are strengthening your ability to focus and concentrate better and for longer periods of time. This will turn into a precious tool for you. A way to calm your mind and body and a way to improve your health and wellness.
Practice Forgiveness
Forgiveness does not necessarily mean reconciling with the person who upset you or condoning their actions. In forgiveness, you seek the peace and understanding that come from blaming people less after they offend you and taking those offenses less personally. Make a commitment to yourself to feel better. Forgiveness is for you and no one else.
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” - Thich Nhat Hang
IMEQ Center has created a community of mental health professionals who all share the vision of contributing to the wellbeing of seafaring. “We are here to establish long lasting relationships with our customers by offering high quality services, and after care.” This day and every day, we wish to re-kindle our efforts to protect and improve mental health in the maritime industry.
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