An ounce of Prevention is worth a pound of…Mental Health & Wellness!

Okay, that might not be exactly what Benjamin Franklin had in mind when he famously said those words but the sentiment is the same. It is!

Prevention is powerful!

But, what does prevention have to do with mental health and wellness?

Well, right off the bat, it’s important to understand that “wellness” is a balance of both mind and body! Maintaining a healthy balance is critical to our mental (and physical) health. We’ve gotten pretty good about learning how to take care of our bodies: diet and exercise, proper hygiene, routine health check-ups, etc. but we’re not always that good at practicing mental-health maintenance. And, that is where we often pay the price.

Neglecting one for the other can have a negative impact on our overall health. Quite simply, it throws us (and all that we do) off balance. Often times, it happens before we even realize it. How many times have you, or someone you know, said, “I don’t know whats wrong. I’m just feeling ‘off'”.
I know I have! And, sometimes it can be tricky to figure out why.

But, here’s the cool part! You can actually use that or similar statements, as a clue! It’s your minds way of telling you that somewhere along the way you may have neglected one thing for another and that your otherwise healthy balance is beginning to tip. But, don’t worry! Simply understanding that a balance exists in the first place is often the first step toward achieving greater wellness.

See! You’re on your way already!

In Part 2, I’ll discuss the impact stress can have on our mental (and physical) health and how regular, ongoing prevention can play a critical role in our mental health & wellness. Finally, in Part 3, I will discuss mental health & wellness during pregnancy to avoid falling out of balance during such a critical time. Stay tuned!