What is Self Mastery? - Part 3
The next large component of self-mastery is mental health, and
this is much trickier than physical health, due to many pitfalls
that affect the mind along the way. The list of reasons why
people fall prey to mental illness is so long; it could fill a
large book.
Anyone can get a mental illness, as it crosses every social and
economic boundary that exists. Some mental illnesses, such as
Schizophrenia, seem to have marginal genetic factors, in that,
it can "run in families," but studies don't indicate why this
occurs.
On the other hand, Schizophrenia sometimes seems to be brought
on by conditions around us - for example: the loss of a loved
one and poverty. Therefore, let's look at some methods for
optimum mental health and prevention of mental illness.
Exercise helps your mind relax and deal with life's daily
stress. Exactly why this happens is not yet fully understood,
but it does increase endorphin production, which makes you feel
good. This does not make exercise the answer to all problems,
but it is a factor in good mental health. When choosing
exercise, pick something that you enjoy. Although, I would
personally recommend Yoga first, that does not mean it will be
an ideal exercise for you.
Allow for social time with family and friends. No matter how
busy you get, you should set aside quality time socializing.
Just make sure that the bulk of this time is spent with positive
influences.
Laughter also releases endorphins, so watch a comedy, read a
funny story, or enjoy the company of people who have a harmless
sense of humor. This will enable you to make the most out of
life, and it will boost your immune system as a bonus.
Meditation is a focused "mind exercise" and very good for
keeping priorities in order. There are a number of materials
available for meditation, and most Yoga classes have meditation,
or relaxation, as a typical part of the class.
Learn when to say, "No." Do not accept burdens or problems that
you cannot handle. You do not always have to feel obligated to
everyone who has a problem. Also, related to this, you should
state when you need help. You can prevent a lot of "headaches,"
just by asking for help.
Practice deep breathing everyday. This is great for your body,
but also good for your mind. The relaxation and extra oxygen
will give your brain a little break. You can get proper
instruction on breathing techniques in any Yoga class.