Why is it important that you learn to cultivate your mental hygiene? 07-08-2019
By: Msc. Katherine Langa
When we talk about hygiene we all think that we refer to physical hygiene, and to our environment. Although this is part of mental hygiene, very few know what this really is.
Mental hygiene is the set of activities that allow a person to be in balance with their socio-cultural environment
This is affirmed by Msc. Katherine Langa from Praxis Psicología Integral, emphasizing that these actions try to prevent the emergence of behaviors that do not adapt to social functioning and guarantee the psychological adjustment essential for the person to enjoy good mental health.
He explains that an individual's mental health is reflected in their daily behavior and is linked to the ability to manage their fears and anxieties, control anxiety, cope with difficulties, and relieve tensions.
The expert reports that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental hygiene promotes well-being, the prevention of mental disorders, and the treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by mental disorders.
It is a lifelong process that begins in early childhood and continues until the death of an individual.
The true goal
Langa states that the main objective of mental hygiene is to achieve and preserve mental health. She adds: “It is important to keep in mind that this does not imply that people with emotional or mental conditions cannot have good mental hygiene or that they can enjoy good mental health and, likewise, the absence of mental disorders does not guarantee emotional and mental well-being.
That said, we can understand that people with a diagnosis of mental disorder, or who are suffering emotionally, can be functional in their daily life and within the environment in which they evolve by practicing good mental hygiene. "
The positive assessment of one's own traits and those of others, being in touch with your emotions and strengthening of self-esteem, are some of the issues that anyone must work on to practice mental hygiene.
She recommends a series of actions that are identified as the main characteristics of healthy functionality and the main components of mental well-being.
- These include:
- Paying attention to basic biological needs, such as eating and sleeping, and physical health, not neglecting medical visits.
- Strengthening the spiritual area.
- Making your self-esteem unconditional, knowing yourself, loving yourself for who you are.
- Cultivating and maintaining good interpersonal relationships.
- Work in areas that allow us to develop our talents and potential and
- avoid recreating past situations in which we experience failures and frustrations.
This is cultivated
— Start with you
Katherine assures that mental hygiene must be taken care of by each individual through positive habits that allow them to maintain internal balance.
