How to improve my mental health: The 5 Pillars.
The Five Pillars of Good Mental Health: Connection, Balance, Support, Purpose, and Resilience
Maintaining good mental health is an ongoing journey that requires attention and care. Much like a sturdy structure relies on solid foundations, our mental well-being stands firm on five key pillars: Connection, Balance, Support, Purpose, and Resilience. At Ignite Therapy, our goal is to replace unhelpful belief systems, equip clients with effective coping mechanisms, and help them ignite the spark that will lead to a happy, purposeful future.
We focus on these five key pillars that shape our clients' current experience of the world. In this article, I'll discuss each pillar in detail, exploring what it might look like for you now and how it could transform after just a few sessions with Ignite Therapy. I'll also share some practical tips to help you strengthen these pillars in your own life.
Connection
Humans are inherently social beings and meaningful connections with others are vital for our mental health. Relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and community members provide a sense of belonging and acceptance. I know it can be challenging to open up and confidently express your feelings, especially when you are struggling to understand them yourself. In order to connect and be transparent with those around us, we first need self-acceptance and self-love, two beliefs that we head towards to feel connection with ourselves first.
At Ignite Therapy, we help you explore how you want to connect with the world and identify the perspective that will serve you best. Together, we create a vision and head towards it.
Tips to Strengthen Connection:
Prioritise Quality Time: Spend time with loved ones who make you feel connected and valued.
Join Clubs or Groups: Engage in activities or join groups that align with your interests.
Schedule Social Time: Make time for social interactions as you would for any other important task, creating a routine that includes regular engagement with others.
Balance
Balance involves managing various aspects of your life—work, leisure, family commitments, physical health, and mental health. In today’s fast-paced, driven world, we can sometimes go months without taking a breath. When we finally come up for air, or are forced to, we feel the consequences. Achieving balance helps prevent burnout, reduces stress, and most importantly, gives us time to do what makes us happy.
At Ignite Therapy, we emphasise the importance of balance in maintaining mental well-being. Here are some tips to help you achieve a more balanced life:
Tips to Achieve Balance:
Set Boundaries: Ensure that work doesn’t encroach on personal time by setting clear boundaries.
Incorporate Regular Exercise: Make physical activity a part of your routine to boost both physical and mental health.
Schedule Leisure Time: Plan activities you enjoy and make time for relaxation and hobbies.
Practice Time Management: Allocate time effectively to ensure you attend to all aspects of your life, including rest.
Mindfulness and Reflection: Regularly take a step back to assess your life balance and make adjustments as needed.
Support
At the start of your Ignite journey, support can look like your in-session time. Over time, with the skills you learn, the perspectives you gain and the beliefs you build, support can be available to you at any time. Our clients leave us feeling that they are capable of supporting themselves, allowing others to support them and to navigate anything that comes their way.
Tips to Build Support:
· Work on your thoughts and beliefs: What unhelpful thought patterns do you have, what do you believe about yourself that does not support how you want to feel?
Seek Professional Help: Don’t hesitate to seek professional support when needed; it’s a sign of strength, not weakness
· Support Others: Foster reciprocal relationships by being a source of support for others, which in turn strengthens your own support system.
Purpose
A sense of purpose gives our lives direction and meaning, motivating us to set goals and work towards achieving them, fostering a sense of accomplishment and happiness. Purpose can be found in various aspects of life, including career, relationships, personal growth, and specific achievements. When we are struggling, it can sometimes be hard to believe we can do or achieve the things that make us feel alive. During Ignite Therapy sessions, we help you get clear on what fuels you and work out what you need to feel capable of achieving it.
Tips to Find Purpose:
Reflect on Your Passions: Think about the activities and causes you are passionate about.
Set Goals: Establish short-term and long-term goals that align with your values.
Engage in Fulfilling Activities: Participate in volunteer work or hobbies that provide a sense of fulfilment.
Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to challenging circumstances. It involves developing coping strategies and maintaining a positive outlook despite difficulties. Resilience doesn’t eliminate stress or erase life’s difficulties, but it empowers us to face adversity with strength and determination.
Tips to Build Resilience:
Practice self-care to maintain physical and mental well-being.
Develop problem-solving skills to tackle challenges effectively.
Cultivate a positive mindset and practice gratitude.
Putting It All Together
Incorporating these five pillars into our lives requires conscious effort and support in learning the skills that will support them.
By focusing on Connection, Balance, Support, Purpose, and Resilience, we can create a solid foundation for good mental health and for you to finish your time at Ignite Therapy feeling capable. Remember, it’s a journey, and it’s okay to need help along the way.
