Health + Mental Well-being = Flourishing!

The correct answer should be no! The World Health Organization defines health as follows: “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Now, specifically regarding mental health, we definitely should think of it as a set of aspects that lead us to a complete state of well-being. However, the topic of mental health has been like a taboo for many, as if conditions like depression or anxiety were ailments to hide.

Perhaps in addressing mental well-being, we can start with stress. We’ve talked about how stress is something all humans must live with; in fact, we were created to have mechanisms that help us manage that stress. The problem is that modern life, how we handle our emotional part, social problems, and now the pandemic, are all aspects that can lead us to suffer from chronic stress. Stress has a direct impact on all functions of our body, starting with our immune, cardiovascular, digestive, musculoskeletal systems, etc. But it also has a direct impact on our ability to concentrate, productivity, and the ability to have optimal coping strategies for situations that generate more stress.

The second thing experts are talking about nowadays has to do with the relationship between mental health and mental well-being, as a person with optimal mental health (or who has not been diagnosed with any condition affecting their mental health) may be feeling low, with low self-esteem, with fears, leading to low energy, activation, concentration, and action. This diagram (presented by Dr. Jessica Isom, MD, MPH, Science Advisory Board, Virgin Pulse, at the Virgin Pulse Thrive X event) explains very well a quadrant of the various scenarios that we must consider to care for, above all, prevent.

What I want to highlight today is the box on the bottom right of the X-axis. So many people who do not have a mental illness (diagnosed) but who are not experiencing mental well-being.

We must pay attention, both to ourselves and to those around us, whether family, friends, colleagues, or team members. How can we work towards that “flourishing” where everyone can experience total mental well-being?

It truly involves creating spaces that allow relaxation, including mindfulness programs, meditation, breathing exercises, and activities in green spaces. But also, implementing inclusive spaces where employees feel part of the company and the community, a culture of belonging that in turn builds personal relationships within a healthy work environment.