(Part 2 of 3)

An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure – especially when it comes to our mental health and wellness. 

In Part 1, we discussed that wellness is a balance of both mind and body, in addition to learning how to recognize “clues” that identify the potential existance of an unhealthy balance.  In Part 2, we’re discussing 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.

We are all human and, as such, we are all subject to the full range of human experiences – the good, the bad, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. And, of course, everything that comes in between.  Because of this, we know that there are going to be times when maintaining a healthy balance can be downright hard; particularly during times of stress.

That’s when, what I call, “the ugliness” – worry, negative thoughts and fear, silently creeps-in and begins to weigh us down. Over time, that imbalance can create a change in our thoughts, feelings and our behavior. And, that is when we begin to feel (and show) mental and physical signs of distress.

Those symptoms may include:

• Stomach or body aches
• Weight change
• Restlessness/Sleep disturbances
• Anxiety
• Inability to Concentrate
• Feeling Tired and Run-down
• Feeling Irritable
• Racing Mind
• Feelings of Isolation

What if you could avoid those symptoms?

This is where prevention comes in. Prevention, as it applies to mental health, is an attempt to avoid allowing smaller issues to develop into larger problems.  Therefore, helping to avoid the negative impact that larger issues may have on our overall health.

Preventative mental health focuses on creating and maintaining a healthy balance of mind and body before you experience signs of distress. And, it just so happens to be one of the best antidotes to fighting off or, at the very least, reducing the effects of “the ugliness”.

So…why wait?!

Life is filled with unexpected challenges. How we meet those challenges is up to us. If we know that our individual health and wellness depends on a proper balance of mind and body then we must also embrace the fact that it is up to us to maintain that balance. Prevention gives us the power to do just that! It allows us to take control of our mental (and physical) health before it takes control of us.

I look at it this way:  Prevention is like mental health insurance.  We are setting ourselves up to ensure that we are in the best possible position to effectively respond to life’s unexpected events.

The benefit of prevention is that it allows us to take the time to invest in ourselves, consider where we are in life and take charge of our future.  All of which minimizes the effect of stress on our bodies and minds.

If prevention can do all that – who wouldn’t want an ounce?

In Part 3, Preventative Mental Health, Wellness & Pregnancy I will discuss how to avoid falling out of balance during such a critical time as well as how to apply preventative measures in our every day lives. Stay Tuned!