Mental health in crises – Having a healthy perspective on life.

Crises is seldom calculated and its consequences almost never anticipated. Often the first thing we do when faced with crises is to try and answer the question: Why did this happen to me?

“Why” questions evolve and keeps our mind occupied. Theories tend to be developed at the speed of light. It is often difficult to create a realistic or true perspective at the beginning of a crises. The dialogue we have with ourselves and others tend to spiral and the clarity seem to fade as we go in circles. This can however not be avoided as it is normal for us as humans to try and understand the world around us. What is not healthy is the fact that we start believing only our own theories to be the whole truth, which can lead to actions with dire consequences.

You have heard the saying, “time heals all wounds”. I also believe that time assists us in developing a healthy view when in crises mode. Our perspectives becomes clear as time move on and the crises unfold.

Throughout history people have developed healthy perspectives even in the crises they faced. Nelson Mandela had a healthy perspective on life while being in prison for 27 years. Ernest Shackleton and his team kept a healthy perspective while in the storms in Antartica. From the research of Dr. Aaron Antonovski we know that many holocaust survivors were able to keep a healthy mental state even in the Hitler regime.

Developing a healthy perspective gives us hope and saves us energy. It will allow us to focus on what is important and help us to stop that which is trying to get us down.

How do we then make sure we build a healthy perspective of life when in crises?

Here are 3 things that will help you create a healthy perspective.

1. Listen and observe. Don’t be too quick to make conclusions. Listen to your own body. Listen to friends. Observe what is going on in other parts of the world. Take caution not to be obsessed with observing but to actively listen once or twice a week to what is being said. This will help you also to separate the noise from the truth.
2. Take time to be thankful. This is probably the hardest thing to do in a crises, as the emotions run wild and we just want to get this over and done with. Being thankful for what we do have during crises, helps to formulate a clearer and healthier perspective.
3. Exercise contemplative reflection. What does this mean? Give your reflections time to settle in. Reflect on the way you have dealt with previous crises. Reflect on how you are handling the current crises. Contemplative reflection breeds hope and produces courage to keep moving forward.

We wish you all the best as you keep developing a healthy perspective even in the midst of the crises.

Sincere greetings,

Xpand South Africa Team

Empowering individuals and organizations to thrive.