A Veil of Illusion

2020 was a tough year for each one of us. It took away a lot but gave us time. Time to realize the importance of health, family & friends apart from money. We have become more health-conscious than before. We eat right, sleep well and, exercise too.

Now we are fit and healthy than before. Aren’t we? This statement is true but not true at the same time. Our understanding of being healthy is a veil of illusion.

Your BMI must be perfect, reports normal but it indicates that a part of you is healthy. You must be thinking, a part of me?  

Yes, a part of you. 

The health of an individual is the well-being of physical and mental health. Mental health is as important as physical health. It has been proven time and again but we choose to ignore – we love the veil of illusion. Actor Sushant Singh Rajput was physically fit but mentally???

There can be a number of reasons that lead to mental illness. It could be pre-existing or otherwise. Here, the reason for illness is secondary its acceptance primary. We try to defend; we try to find a reason to digress.  The fact is, it co-exists among and/within us at some point in time. In most cases, individuals suffering from mental health issues are unaware of its existence. The ones aware face societal stigma. Mental health issues if not tackled can become very ugly. It not only affects the patient but also the people around him/her. Mental health issues are deep-rooted which are developed during a course of time. There is no quick fix to it, they are cryptic. 

So, what do we do?

We need to turn inward, keep track of our behavioral change. We need to closely observe our loved ones, if not others. Any deviation from normal behavior at a considerable high pace must alert you. Something is bringing a change, affecting you, affecting others. Identify, manage and heal.

For example, consider an individual taking care of an aged parent or an ill partner/child. The routine might look simple and mundane, but it demands a lot from the person. The individual is constantly under physical and mental pressure which can have a serious negative effect.

Similarly, a routine journey from home to work in a metro city may have a slow but continuous developing negative impact. A dominos effect, one leading to another. The pressure of being on time no matter what, facing the crowd, rushing from one platform to another. Leading to fatigue, brawls, dissatisfaction, and more. So is the case with commuting in ever-increasing city traffic.

These days social media is also a huge contributor to mental health issues. Posts, likes, and comments can push individuals to an edge, disrupting their personal life completely.

Whereas, housewives are a classic example of adhering to a set routine for years. Things change around them but their routine remains the same. They become more like a machine on an auto mode. But humans are not machines. No break, no consideration, no acknowledgment can also lead to chronic mental health issues in housewives. So is the case with ignored aged parents.

Mental health issues might explode at a minor spark but, remember it is deep-rooted, within. Spare 10 mins of your 1440 mins each day looking inward. 5 mins for self-analysis and 5 mins for your loved ones. 

You will be able to identify, take measures, listen, speak or seek professional help if required. If we do not take mental health as seriously as physical health, we shall continue to wear the veil of illusion. We shall continue to explore, cherish and utilize only a part of our capabilities because a part of us continues to be within the veil of illusion. 

 #WorldMentalHealthDay