Mental health in crises

Mental health is a key component in facing crises. Endurance sports is not just build on physical fitness. It requires mental strength in the individual or team.

What is mental health? According to the World Health Organization mental health is “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”

In short, mental health is a state in which a person understands their own dignity and is able to effectively move towards their destiny.

The question is, What are the factors that help us to build mental capacity? How do they help us to endure crises? Surprisingly, Aaron Antonovski, the father of salutogenesis (factors that contributes to human health), discovered that people can endure crises better when they have build resilient elements into their life before the crises occurs. This does not mean you cannot handle crises, it will just take a little bit more energy to build resilience during a crises.

During this blog series, the focus will be on sharing specific elements that produces mental health.

Let us look at the first part of the definition by the World Health Organization, realizing my own potential.

What are the elements that help me to see my potential? Four elements are key;

  1. My Talents: According to Arthur Miller, each person is born with 10 intrinsic skills. Knowing my skills are the foundation of discovering a career I can enjoy. During the current crises, re-discover your talents and make sure you spend time to train and develop those talents. You can order your Skills Assessment from us to discover your intrinsic skills.
  2. My Personality Strengths: Personality Strengths are those aspects of your personality that energize you and makes you come alive. Find out what your personality strengths are. Visit our blog series on Behavioral styles for more information. You are welcome to contact us to do your personality profile assessment.
  3. My Motivating Environment: Your motivating environment are the specific environment that produces energy rather than draining your energy. Re-fine the environment that gives you energy and make time each day to spend adequate time in that environment. Visit our blog series on Behavioral styles for more information.
  4. My Values: People who know and understand their values, are able to endure difficult times. Their values becomes the compass that guides them through the storms of life. Re-discover your values. Understand what drives you and what you want to achieve in life. Here are 3 questions you can ask to help you discover your values. a. What do I want to be known for? b. What do I want to achieve? C. Who do I want to serve in life?

Tips to develop my potential.

a. Find out where in your community you can use your skills to help others and spend time serving those people with your skills.

b. Spend 1 hour, at least once a week, to focus on a specific skill.

c. Watch video clips and read blogs on people who have mastered skills you have and let them inspire you.

d. Find a mentor in your industry who can inspire you.

We wish you all the best as you rediscover and fine-tune your potential during these times.

Sincere greetings,

Xpand South Africa Team

Empowering individuals and organizations to thrive.