By: Katie Pierce

Psychology in the Present Era

There are plenty to be grateful for in this current era. Sure, the pandemic had left an almost indelible anxiety on the collective consciousness that birthed many a paranoia, but that does not take away the realized empathy, acceptance, and sensitivity to individual experiences defined by psychology and sexuality. If it means anything, the times had created more spaces for individual expression without the pressures of passe social norms trying to have their way. 

But then, the modern era (some would even say, post-modern) at times, take its toll on both the young and the old due to certain ideals imposed by Social Media. 

In a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO), the institution had disclosed that the COVID-19 pandemic had caused an increase of 25% in the spread of anxiety and depression across the globe, compelling 90% of the countries it had sampled to create governing bodies or departments that cater to mental health support in their COVID-19 action plans. However, there are still some gaps in the response that leave a lot to be desired. 

As the matter stands, there are a lot to be done to help fight the prevalence of anxiety and depression and the apparent misinformation about it. And if you are one to easily be affected by anything seen or read, it is highly likely that your mental health is impacted by the current mental health climate. 

Trying to Get Better

It’s not easy being shuttered inside. It might even pose greater a challenge to emerge and reintegrate into society after being accustomed to being cooped up alone with only your thoughts being of solace. In all honestly, with everything that has happened, it is highly likely that our minds would be the last frontier that we want to resort to.

But delve in it we must. If we are serious about trying to get better, it would be wise to address what our minds might probably be telling us, instead of just succumbing to what we feel. After all, the brain, and by extension the mind, had been placed higher that the heart, making logic and self-criticism possible.

In this regard, mindset should rein as king in your being. For those reading this, we would want to point out that if you are one dealing with Clinical Depression, it would be better to seek the help of a mental health professional. While these could be of help, or would somewhat alleviate your challenged mental condition, these are in no way sufficient to treat any serious mental maladies that you might have.

Nonetheless, here are 5 ways by which you could establish a healthy mindset if you find yourself struggling with your psychological health.

1. Put everything in writing

Keeping a journal might sound like a high school project that you have been trying to avoid because it comes off as something that dorks would be thrilled to do, but let us assure you, it helps. You will find that writing what you feel and why you think you are feeling that way brings a much needed catharsis. It is like telling a friend about a secret you can no longer keep. Writing in a journal allows for release. On top of that, you can keep track of your progress with every entry. 

If you are just starting to write, it would be better not to think about the technical rules of writing. Try the “Stream of Consciousness” approach, a technique employed by English novelist Virginia Woolf who was a prolific and well-known writer in literary circles. Woolf not only innovated the writing discipline by bringing it into the Modern Era, but had provided a way for new, budding writers to bypass their own doubts and apprehensions about themselves. 

The habit of writing allows the mind to breathe from its conceived stresses. helping in anxiety relief.

Apart from this, you can also take the opportunity to write down your daily, weekly, or monthly goals. In this regard, the next item will help.

2. Plan your day ahead

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Such is the mantra for success. However, this is an advice that can also be given to people who want to establish better mindsets. How is that? Planning ahead, whether or not it pans out the way you intend to, saves a great deal of mental energy. 

It does not lead one to obsess. Instead, it scaffolds one to better working structures. Called, “time-blocking”, the technique provides its performer not just a clear path to follow, but time to breathe through what needs to be done. What you need to do

is simply allot time at night to chart what you will need to do the following day so that when you wake up, you already have a convenient path to follow. 

3. Review your trajectory and check what your mind says

It would help your mind greatly if you would take a moment of your time to review your goals. You can pause within your day and check what you have written in your journal or planner on what needs to be done and what you have to do to accomplish it.

Alongside this, you can take the opportunity to check how your mind is faring so far within the day. Check if it is feeling anxious. If so, why is that the case? If it is in a good disposition, also check what your doing that allows it to be so.

4. Avoid Social Media

We are not saying that you should avoid it altogether. Fact of the matter is, you can find some helpful things in Social Media that could help you improve your mindset. 

However, spending too much time in your accounts may spell out trouble given the prevalence of posts that were made out of vanity and ego. From people brandishing their latest vacation escapades to toxic political debates, there is always a chance for people on Social Media to become rabid and imposing in their posts. Limiting your time in Social Media serves your mind well as it would protect you from the possibility of running into material that would compromise your inner peace.

5. Eat right!

Yes, you read that right. Proper diet helps you gain mental ground. Eating right does not only help resolve skin concerns or result to a healthier and more aesthetic body—it results to a sounder mind as well. 

It helps in proper brain function, making thought processes clearer and helping improve memory. In a recent study, the scientific community had reported that the brain consumes over 20% of a human being’s caloric requirement. Eating right combats the the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of Dementia. 

What this tells us is that eating the right food allows for clearer thought patterns. To this cause, it is advisable to eat foods like green leafy vegetables, fatty fish (low in mercury), berries, coffee, and walnuts, just to mention a few.

You Have the Power!

If trained properly, the mind is a very powerful thing. But of course, consciousness and self-awareness are two things that need to be accounted first for us to manage our mindset effectively. Once you become aware of your tendencies and what you want out of life, then setting your goals would follow.

At the end of the day, establishing a strong and healthy mindset is something that only we alone can do. We need to remember that things only have power over us when we give it power.

A true love for health