Self-examination: 7 Keys To Assessing Your Own Mental Health

When we talk about mental health we think almost immediately of those clinical disorders that completely alter the quality of life of a person and their environment.

Now, in reality, there are many individuals who face their day to day with emotional problems that shape underlying diseases.

This is the case of hidden depressions or anxiety attacks that directly affect calm and psychological balance. No one is immune to this type of reality.

Often times, our own thoughts and attitudes rise up as the real enemies. It is therefore necessary to take them into account, identify them, break them down and reinterpret those inner worlds. In this way we will be able to face our life with more integrity, with greater self-esteem and a clear will to take charge of our well-being.

Next, we suggest that you put this “self-test” into practice. It is only about assessing certain dimensions to know if we are in shape or if something fails.

1. I obsess over things that haven’t happened yet

Anticipating negative events directly affects our mental health. It is not just a matter of “thinking the worst”, of imagining that, whatever we do, everything will end up going wrong. These dimensions can also be given:

• Thinking about things so much that, in the end, we are exhausted and unwilling to act.
• Obsessing over certain details, words and deeds, analyzing them down to the smallest detail. We offer an exaggerated prominence to some aspects that, in reality, are not so important.

2. Dependence on the past

Whoever focuses all his attention, his thoughts and illusions on things that have already happened, misses the opportunities of the present.

• Living in nostalgia is neither good nor healthy. We fall into a state of absolute helplessness. You get to the point of losing hope in the present moment.
• Understand that yesterday is that drawer from which we must obtain timely learning to be able to apply it in the present. This is where the real opportunity to be happy happens.

3. Focusing too much on what others say and do

We are aware that we do not live on islands of solitude. We are obliged to interact, to live together, to work with each other and to share scenarios with friends, neighbors and relatives.

• Now, living together is not the same as being dependent, a slave to other people’s opinions and value judgments.
• What others say and do should not affect us to the point of changing our way of seeing life or our way of being.
• The more you lower the “intensity” of that discomfort due to criticism received or comments out of place, the more you will gain in quality of life.

4. I’m always in a bad mood, everything bothers me

Sometimes we go through times marked by continuous discomfort, there comes a time of discomfort where we like nothing, where nothing makes us laugh and where few things attract our interest.

Keep in mind that if your emotional state is characterized by this same thing for two months in a row, we would already speak of a depression.

5. Not focusing attention on the important things affects our mental health

Going through a long period marked by stress has an essential consequence: we stop valuing our priorities, or even more, we forget what they are.

• If you forget what makes you happy, if you put aside what is really important, your inner compass does not work as it should.

• Stress and anxiety cause us to focus on aspects such as those work goals, that boss who torments us, those coworkers who overwhelm us …
• Our mind feels saturated and is unable to relax and focus on what is essential: ourselves, our family.

6. When I have a problem, I avoid it, I hide it

This is another common strategy. When something bothers us, worries us or alters our inner balance, we choose to “evade” or put on the mask of tranquility as if nothing was happening.

• If I am unhappy at home, I try to spend as much time away from it as possible.
• If I have a problem with someone, I avoid bumping into that person.

All these attitudes do not solve anything. The only thing we manage to do is intensify the discomfort. We only manage to postpone that moment when there is no choice but to respond to this problem.

7. I am unable to say “no”

Practicing assertiveness on a day-to-day basis favors and takes care of our mental health. On the other hand, if we are not able to say “yes” without guilt and “no” without fear, we will sail in the ocean of frustration and unhappiness.

• Who does not know or does not dare to set limits, will let the needles of contempt, manipulation and the violation of those who see in him someone easy to control enter his personal field.
• Do not let that happen. Learn to manage your limits with assertiveness and take care of your mental health.

Lastly, don’t forget. Reflect on these 7 dimensions and assess what you should change, what you should improve. Find that inner balance with which to build real and satisfying happiness.