What is your understanding of mental health and the increasing issues related to it?
Mental health refers to emotional, mental and social well-being of any person .It affects a person’s ability to think, understand, feel and act. Mental health means our emotional, psychological and social health. What we think, what we feel and how we behave all come under mental health.If we are feeling stressed out, it will affect our work to our relationships in life. But alas, we do not consider it necessary to pay attention to mental health. Among coping up with many issues related to mental health , depression is the biggest problem worldwide. It gives rise to many social problems like unemployment, poverty and drug abuse etc. Factors that negatively affect mental stability and health are:Past trauma, abuse or neglect Long-term and/or severe stress, social isolation and loneliness ,disconnection, discrimination, long-term physical condition, social deficiencies, poverty or significant debt, unemployment ,breakup or divorce and dysfunctional family life.
What are the two tips for maintaining a good mental well being in life ?
Mental and physical fitness are equally important components of general well-being. For example, depression increases the risk of many physical health problems, especially heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Similarly, chronic diseases can increase the risk of mental illness. Maintaining positive mental fitness can increase productivity, enhance our self-image and improve relationships with our loved ones. We often pay more attention to negative thoughts, a negative event stays in our mind for a long time. So, it is best to focus on the good things that happened to us every day. Writing a diary is most beneficial for this. Write down five small things every day that you are thankful for. It can be anything from nice weather to evening tea. With its help, you will be able to pay attention to the positive events that happen every day. Live in the present moment, it will make you positive about the happenings around you. Not only this, you unnecessarily stress your mind by worrying about the future or living in the guilt of the past. So enjoy every moment. With these small changes, you can improve your mental health. If you still feel that you are under stress, don’t be shy about talking about it to someone and need be seek help and relief without being judged.Besides, be kind to yourself. Consciousness is the state in which we are aware of what is going on in our mind and around us but do not react to it. We live each moment to the fullest and thus make full use of it.
What is the biggest fear that people feel nowadays with reference to talking about mental health ?
The biggest fear related to talking on anything that creates an imbalance in the general well being of life of any individual is the fear of being judged immediately . There can be serious adverse consequences for the mental health of individuals, an atmosphere of mistrust can arise and at the same time people concerned may be afraid to feel safe to talk about it . For anybody to deal with this sense of stigma, we must understand that the virus does not see social class, race, community or nationality. In such a situation , we should try to put ourselves in the place of the other person or community and show generosity towards those people or communities. Any kind of discrimination or bigotry-causing information about them should be stopped from being disseminated. To avoid loneliness , read books, do yoga, sleep well, avoid alcohol and drugs. If you are struggling with any stress due to which one is unable to express one’s emotions and navigate through it , then speak to a talk therapist or anybody with whom we can feel safe with expressing ourselves.
What are the two things that you want to tell the youth of today ?
If the goal is clear in the mind, then the ways to achieve it are also clearly visible and the person takes steps in that direction. To use our energy properly: God has given all limited energy and limited time. That’s why it is important that we utilise it properly. Goals motivate us to do just that. A person’s time is the ultimate truth of life. What is born will surely be a consequence of time. No matter how great or a pious soul any person is who has come he has to go, but this is also the absolute truth that a person’s deeds keeps him or her alive in the world even after death.Hence , always be sincere with your actions. Goals are those attainable end points towards which every individual must channelise his or her energies and direct his or her efforts and resources.
Suffering is a mental imagination. No substance, person or action is suffering. All the names and forms of the world like donkey-elephant, man-woman, animal-bird, tree-creeper etc. are concepts . If we consider ourselves as a concept, then we will have the happiness and sorrow of being a donkey or an elephant. When a person sows a seed, he or she wants that seed to become a big plant or tree and give fruit and get benefit from that fruit. Whenever a businessman builds a new project, he or she expects profit from that work. In the same way, understand that God created this world and then created human beings so that we as humans can take advantage of every blessing of this world and this life. May all experience the joy of living a fulfilling life. If you are satisfied with the shells filled on the shore, then who will bring out the hidden treasures of the ocean.You also have your share in all the fun that has been spread in the world. That thing can also be yours, which you are returning considering it beyond your reach.Don’t shorten the circle of allowing the fruits of your hard work to be yours as well. Always be courageous and combat fear .
What is your opinion on Body Positivity and how to allow many people to not fall a trap to getting disheartened to body shaming in life ?
Body Positivity helps create a positive image about oneself. Body positivity involves loving your body regardless of size, shape, color or ability. Body positivity aims to accept all body types, challenges body standards, addresses unrealistic body standards, and helps everyone become more confident in their appearance. Body shaming simply means making negative comments about someone’s body. It can be about someone’s length, fatness, hair, age, clothes, food, beauty and attractiveness. Due to this, many problems can also arise. Sometimes, due to body shaming, there are many effects mentally too. Not only the society, sometimes we ourselves also become our biggest enemies. We try different types of diet regimes to lose weight, undergo costly cosmetic treatments and procedures, keep ourselves away from indulging in desserts etc. This may be due to an underlying cause of a low sense of self-esteem. This usually leads us down a path where we compare ourselves with other people on social media or in real life, not realizing that there is more than what meets the eye. Sometimes we fail to realize that what you are believing may not even be real!
Firstly you must love yourself and accept yourself no matter in the best of times and worst of times in one’s life.Try to be happy with what you have. Height, color, appearance, skin color, one should accept and love oneself as it is. Never compare yourself with anyone else even by mistake. You need to be Grateful for what God has given us which is so unique and our birth on this planet has a purpose in life . If you want to avoid the problem of body shaming, then always be grateful towards yourself first. Move forward with accepting whatever your body gives you and do not forget to say thank you to Yourself at the end of the day . Love and embrace those natural body rolls and curves, stretch marks, every part of your body with all its so-called imperfections. Body positivity and self-love will go a long way! Remember that your worth is not defined by your physical appearance, you are more than just your looks! It is the gifts of kindness and gratitude that a persn gives to mankind that makes him or her unique and so different from others .
How important it is to have courage in life and the importance of moral values in life ?
Courage gives the determination to face anything that hinders your progress through life. You will be able to overcome any obstacle because you will not let fear hold you back. You will rely on yourself for encouragement as you will find a solution to any problem. Incorporating honesty into your life makes you trustworthy. You will have a clear conscience because you have self-respect. People who come in contact with you will count on you to be fair and honest, Your honesty will help you to progress in both your personal and professional life, If you are an honest person others to experience your life to the fullest . Morality/Moral Value is actually a social concept that can be evaluated. It is an internal sense of duty and a coordinated form of those patterns of conduct on the basis of which the decision of truth-false, good-bad, right-wrong can be made and it is governed by the power of conscience. Showing kindness to everyone, respecting elders, telling the truth, helping everyone, not criticizing anyone are called moral values. Always try to fight with our problems, have faith in your mind. Surely one day you will win, because as long as you keep running away from problems, they will not leave you behind, you have to fight with them if you want to win. If you fight alone with some problem, it takes a long time to win it because when we are alone, we fight with one problem and it comes, loneliness neither lets us fight a battle nor gives us the courage to win it. Even if they win, they are not happy. That’s why always be with the family, never let the family separate. Because in difficult times there is no greater strength than family and there is no greater courage than unity.
Which is the most convincing theory of motivation that you have read and you would like to share it ?
Victor Vroom’s Expectancy Theory
Vroom’s expectancy theory assumes that behavior results from conscious choices among alternatives whose purpose it is to maximize pleasure and to minimize pain. Vroom realized that an employee’s performance is based on individual factors such as personality, skills, knowledge, experience and abilities. He stated that effort, performance and motivation are linked in a person’s motivation. He uses the variables Expectancy, Instrumentality and Valence to account for this. The theory is dependent on the idea that the more an employee values the outcome, the more motivated they will be to achieve it. The more effort they put in to succeed, the more certain they are of getting that satisfying reward. There is a connection between motivation and satisfaction.The expectation of a reward increases motivation, even if the outcome differs slightly from the original reward.The theory focuses on rewards and achieving goals.It promotes the idea that more effort should lead to increased performance, meaning the desired outcomes are met.
Any book that you would recommend for the youngsters to definitely read ?
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey.
The book lays emphasis on 7 Habits of Highly Effective People :
- Be Proactive
- Begin with the End in Mind
- Put First Things First
- Think Win-Win
- Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the Saw
What are any three quotations written by you that you would like to share ?
“ What are we, what is our situation and on what ground do we stand, what are our capabilities? They should not be a marathon run only for a chase for ambitions without knowing and understanding them. Do not keep any imaginary assumptions about yourself or have any such aspiration which is not in accordance with your nature and against your own value system and set of beliefs that comprise the mettle in you.Life is a forward momentum, keep moving ahead leaving behind situations or opportunities that are no longer serving you”
“Respect is given in life only when we begin to value ourselves first .No person was ever remembered for what he or she did but for how he or she carved his or her jouney towards a better and peaceful life for himself or herself first .When we are at peace within ourselves only then can we give the same to the outer world .Always remember , your life is not about doing things what others wish you to be good or great at , what matters the most is how and what you perceive about yourself as an individual first and allow that grace to continue to fulfill all aspects of your life holistically .”
“ You need to define set objectives for your own life first in accordance with the pursuit of your passion and goals in life . Once you have done that then ,If you’re not willing to risk the common, you have to settle for mediocrity .It does not matter whether you were able to achieve all your goals within a stipulated period of time as Success does not come without challenging the impossibilities and impossibilities are not fatal but it is the courage to continue that matters the most. Always stay Positive and Focussed .”
-© Mayaa SH
MAYAA SH
Mayaa SH also known as Mayaa Tai, Mayaa Di,Mayaa Audio SH, Pushpa ‘The Fire’ , Padma Of The East, Lady Robin Hood , MS Dhoni Of Writing and Lady Gandhi is a known name in Contemporary Literature .She is a Multi-National Award Winner , a six times World Record Holder, An Artist, a Podcaster, a Record Chart Topping International Fastest Anthology Co-Authoress and has been chosen as number 1 The Modern Literary Stars Of India, 2022 by Cherry Book Awards for making valuable contribution to Contemporary Indian Literature. She has Won In Memorable Performance in the category termed as ‘Other than English write ups “ for her appreciation of hard work , creativity and dedication in Grand Christmas Competition 2.0 which has been a world record event of the largest creative event hosted online with more than 1000+participants . Mayaa SH is a Women Empowerment Culturist and a gender equality exponent to position and contextualize her work within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
She has depicted gender inclusivity and equality through her certifications from the United Nations and powerful writings on Feminism, Gender Equality, Transforming Vision Into Action: Transmogrification on Transgender Community and Mental Health Awareness Topics. Her work depicts the identity,economic and social freedom of many .She has co-authored more than hundred and thirty plus anthologies with five solo books and has been aligned with more than 70 publication houses.She has been featured in several magazines and women oriented like Tejaswi -The Imperishable on Women Power and Honour including few international magazines. Her first poem “The Candle In The Wind” made her win an Award at the National Level. She navigates many women through stress by deploying talking as a medium to combat stress and fear.
