What is Mental Hygiene?
Mental hygiene is the act of taking intentional measures to prevent future mental illness, protect, and preserve overall wellbeing to achieve full potential. Through mental hygiene, we can focus on prevention, early intervention, and even recovery when challenges arise.
The concept of mental hygiene is not new. In 1950, during the World Health Organization's second Expert Committee on Mental Health session, mental hygiene was formally defined as: “Mental hygiene refers to all the activities and techniques which encourage and maintain mental health.” This definition continues to form the foundation of contemporary approaches to maintaining mental wellbeing.
We all struggle with building certain habits, yet we instinctively maintain our daily routines for physical hygiene. We brush our teeth every morning to avoid bad breath and protect our teeth. We take a bath before preparing for work, even on days when we feel too tired or would rather skip it. We maintain clean clothes, groom ourselves, and eat regularly. These practices have become almost automatic because we consistently do them understanding their importance for our survival and overall health.
We make deliberate efforts to care for our bodies because we know how much these actions impact our personal growth. Now, imagine if we treated our mental health with the same consistency and care. Yet, when it comes to mental health, many of us wait until a problem becomes severe before taking action.
Substances such as drugs and alcohol may damage organs like the liver or kidneys, but their impact on the brain is often less visible. Alterations in brain chemistry caused by substance abuse can increase the risk of developing mental illness. This is why activities like therapy, meditation, physical exercise, and spending time in nature are essential; they strengthen the mind in ways that mirror caring for the body.
So, what can go wrong when mental hygiene is ignored?
Risks of Ignoring Mental Hygiene
A lot of things can go wrong when mental hygiene is neglected, and the effects don’t stop with you. They creep into your relationships, your communication, and even how safe people feel around you.
- Mental hygiene aims to preserve mental health and prevent deterioration. The origin of mental hygiene implicitly suggests that when you ignore it, you risk deterioration or decline of your mental health.
- Based on the principles and history of mental hygiene, without efforts to preserve mental health (self‑awareness, coping skills, emotional regulation), individuals become more vulnerable and susceptible to stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges.
- Neglecting your mental hygiene can make it tough to notice when your mind is crying out for a break or some support. Just like brushing off physical discomfort can lead to illness, overlooking mental fatigue can result in burnout and in some cases, more serious mental health issues.
- Mental hygiene supports stable mental functioning and balanced personality development. Without it, brain function may be strained, which can lead to a decline in how we think, feel, and manage our daily lives.
- Ignoring mental hygiene essentially means turning a blind eye to healthy coping strategies that help us deal with life's stressors and emotional hurdles. Over time, this neglect can result in chronic emotional issues, difficulty adjusting, and even a breakdown when faced with pressure.
Mental Hygiene Matters
Neglecting our mental hygiene might not seem like a big deal at first, but the effects can be significant. Just like we wouldn’t dream of going weeks without brushing our teeth, our minds also need care, attention, and upkeep to thrive.
Start small, but make sure to start today. Take a few moments to check in with your thoughts, feelings, and stress levels. Try out one simple mental hygiene habit, whether it’s journaling, taking a walk, meditating, or chatting with someone you trust.
Remember, consistency is more important than striving for perfection. Your mind deserves the same care you give your body, and the positive effects will flow into your work, relationships, and overall wellbeing.