World Mental Health Day last week did a great job in raising awareness of an issue that has been difficult to talk about, but mental health is an everyday issue and in this blog we look at how our energy levels can affect mental health.
Master Oh knows that in our fast paced world, we are more affected by the stresses of everyday life because we are disconnected from our original energy source, Qi. This means that we find it difficult to recharge and to re-energise. This lack of energy can lead to serious health issues including our mental health.
In this blog, we look into simple steps that can be taken in order to re-energise to regain our health and achieve a peaceful and clear mind.
First, let’s go back to the beginning…
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health refers to our cognitive, behavioural, and emotional wellbeing – it is all about how we think, feel, and behave. Some people call mental health ‘emotional health’ or ‘well-being’ and it’s just as important as good physical health.
If you’re in good mental health, you can:
- Make the most of your potential
- Cope with life
- Play a full part in your family, workplace, community and among friends.
We all have times when we feel down or stressed or frightened. Most of the time those feelings pass, but sometimes they develop into a more serious problem and that could happen to any one of us.
There’s a stigma attached to mental health problems, people feel uncomfortable about them and don’t talk about them much. But it’s healthy to know and say how you’re feeling.
What Are Mental Health Problems?
Mental health problems range from the worries we all experience as part of everyday life to serious long-term conditions. The majority of people who experience mental health problems can overcome them or learn to live with them, especially if they address them early on. If someone is experiencing mental health issues, they may experience the following:
- Withdrawing from people or activities they would normally enjoy.
- Sleeping or eating too much or too little.
- Feeling as if nothing matters.
- Consistently low energy.
- Using ‘escape’ methods e.g drinking more than normal
- Displaying uncharacteristic emotions.
- Confusion
- Not being able to complete standard tasks, such as getting to work or cooking a meal.
- Not being able to cope with emotions e.g frequent crying, anger etc.
What is Good Mental Health?
By contrast, if you have good mental wellbeing you generally feel positive and clear minded and you are able to:
- Feel relatively confident in yourself and have positive self-esteem
- Feel and express a range of emotions
- Build and maintain good relationships with others
- Feel engaged with the world around you
- Live and work productively
- Cope with the stresses of daily life
- Adapt and manage in times of change and uncertainty
Energy levels (Qi) and Mental Health
We humans have three main energy centres:
1. Spirit
The top one is in charge of our spirit and this is what allows us to make the right decisions. When we have enough Qi and this energy centre is open, our mind is clear and positive and we know what to do. When it’s closed then we feel negative and lack mental clarity so that no matter how much we overthink a situation, we can’t seem to find a solution. This is the first sign of stress.
3. Solar Plexus
The second energy centre is situated at the solar plexus and is responsible for our mind and emotions. When this centre is supported by Qi, our heart is open and we can share our love and embrace other people’s pain and problems. It also allows us to remain calm in difficult circumstances. When this energy centre is closed, instead of being able to give we feel we need to receive something. This creates all the different types of emotions – anger, fear, frustration, sadness, anxiety, you name it. What our system needs is Qi – energy.
3. Lower Abdomen (Danjeon)
If the spirit and mind energy centres are closed, they cannot support the third energy centre which lies in the abdomen below the navel and is responsible for the circulation of energy in the body and our physical health. When this is short of Qi or our system is blocked, then we feel tired and can develop pain and other physical issues. In order to open this energy centre it is very important to open up the energy system and replenish our Qi reserves.
Our mental health is affected by stress which usually begins in the mind and creates emotional turmoil and further stress. In time, it starts to manifest physically and mentally.
5 Simple Steps to Maintain Your Mental Health
Connect and talk – don’t be afraid or uncomfortable to connect and talk to the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. It is healthy to talk about how you are feeling. The emotional support from others helps us to put things in perspective and helps us keep our mental health in check. Read our inspiring article about ‘Time to Talk’ day with mental health ambassador Leon McKenzie. Read the full article here
Be active – you don’t have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life. Our energy classes help to circulate Qi energy and release physical and emotional stress and toxins. Take a look at the energy classes Master Oh has on offer here
Take time for yourself and learn to say ‘no’ – Life is busy and it’s difficult to find time for ourselves. It is important to take just 10 minutes a day to switch off. Many people practise meditation to empty the mind of thoughts and find a moment of peace. Click here to find out how meditation could help you
Give to others and be grateful – even the smallest act can count, whether it’s a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks. Learn to appreciate what you have. When we are filled with gratitude we naturally support the flow of Qi around our energy system, promoting good health.
Be mindful and practice meditation – be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
To support your mind begin and end your day with a gratitude meditation.
See our latest Instagram posts from real people who have experienced mental health issues and have overcome them with the help of rebalancing their energy levels.
